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9 
New York State Education Department 



New York State Library 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



BEING THE LETTERS OF KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER, 1630 1643, AND OTHER 
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK 



TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY 

A. J. F. van Laer, Archivist 



WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY BY 

NICOLAAS DE ROEVER, LATE ARCHIVIST OF THE 

CITY OF AMSTERDAM 



TRANSLATED BY 

Mrs Alan H. Strong 



ALBANY 

UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 

1908 



STATE OF NEW YORK 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 

Regents of the University 
With years when terms expire 

1913 Whitelaw Reid M.A. LL.D. D.C.L. Chancellor New York 

1917 St Clair McKelway M.A. LL.D. Vice Chancellor Brooklyn 
1919 Daniel Beach Ph.D. LL.D. - Watkins 

1914 Pliny T. Sexton LL.B. LL.D. - Palmyra 
1912 T. Guilford Smith M.A. C.E. LL.D. - - Buffalo 

1918 William Nottingham M.A. Ph.D. LL.D. - Syracuse 

1910 Charles A. Gardiner Ph.D. L.H.D. LL.D. D.C.L. New York 

1915 Albert Vander Veer M.D. M.A. Ph.D. LL.D. Albany 

191 1 Edward Lauterbach M.A. LL.D. - - New York 
1909 Eugene A. Philbin LL.B. LL.D. - New York 

1916 Lucian L. Shedden LL.B. - - - Plattsburg 

Commissioner of Education 

Andrew S. Draper LL.B. LL.D. 

Assistant Commissioners 

Howard J. Rogers M.A. LL.D. First Assistant 
Edward J. Goodwin Lit.D. L.H.D. Second Assistant 
Augustus S. Downing M.A. Pd.D. LL.D. Third Assistant 

Director of State Library 

James I. Wyer,.Jr, M.L.S. 

Director of Scienc'e and State Museum 

John M. Clarke Ph.D. LL.D. 

Chiefs of Divisions 

Administration, Harlan H. Horner B.A. 

Attendance, James D. Sullivan 

Educational Extension, William R. Eastman M.A. M.L.S. 

Examinations, Charles F. Wheelock B.S. LL.D. 

Inspections, Frank H. Wood M.A. 

Law, Thomas E. Finegan M.A. 

School Libraries, Charles E. Fitch L.H.D. 

Statistics, Hiram C. Case 

Visual Instruction, De Lancey M. Ellis 

d. or 0. 



State Library, Albany, N. Y ., June 17, 1907 

Hon. Andrew S. Draper 

Commissioner of Education 

Dear sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith and recom- 
mend for publication the Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts which 
have been translated by, or under the direction of, Mr van Laer, 
Archivist of the State Library, who has edited the entire work. 

These manuscripts are of great importance in connection with the 
early history of the Dutch colonies in New York State and especially 
cf Albany and vicinity. Their publication in translation should be 
of interest not only to historical students generally but also to every 
native New Yorker who has any curiosity concerning the historic 
origins of the State. 

Very respectfully 

Edwin H. Anderson 

Director 



State of New York 
Education Department 

commissioner's room 

These documents constitute very satisfactory primary evidence 
of many of the doings of the Dutch authorities; of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, the patroon, and of the settlers of the Hudson river val- 
ley, particularly that part in the neighborhood of Albany, in the 
thirty years following the beginning of the year 1629. Their par- 
ticular value is not in the fact that they tell us what the history 
writers think the first settlers of our State did, but in the fact that 
the chief actor, the man who dealt with the first settlers, tells us 
about the everyday matters which the bookmakers have not thought 
of sufficient public interest to search out and print. The original 
documents were found in Holland. There is no lack of both ex- 
ternal and internal evidence of authenticity and the fact that they 
have been translated and arranged by, or under the personal direc- 
tion of, Mr Arnold J. F. van Laer, the Archivist of the State 
Library, leaves no room for doubt of their accuracy as here pre- 
sented. The State of New York can well afford to publish such a 

Election of interesting historical documents. A happy incident 
Inected therewith appears in the fact that the committee of the 



Board of Regents who arranged with the owners of these papers 
for their publication was composed of two direct descendants of 
early settlers of the regime concerned, viz, Dr Albert Vander Veer 
and Mr Robert C. Pruyn, now much respected residents of the 
city of Albany. Publication at a time when elaborate preparations 
are being made for celebrating the three hundredth anniversary ot 
the discovery of the Hudson river is both opportune and timely. 



Commissioner of Education 



Albany, N. Y., June 21, 1907 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

List of illustrations 17 

Introduction 19 

Preface to translations furnished by Mrs Alan H. Strong. . 37 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his colony of Rensselaerswyck ; 

by Nicolaas de Roever 40 

1621 
June 3 Charter of the West India Company. (Printed in Dutch 

and English) 86 

1622 
June 10 Amplification of the charter of the West India Company. 

(Printed in Dutch and English) 116 

1623 
Feb. 13 Amplification of the charter of the West India Company. 

(Printed in Dutch and English) 122 

June 21 Agreement between the directors and the chief participants 
of the West India Company. (Printed in Dutch and 

English) 126 

1629 
Jan. 13 Notification by Samuel Godyn, Kiliaen van Rensselaer and 
Samuel Blommaert that they send two persons to New 

Netherland to inspect the country 154 

June 7 Freedoms and Exemptions granted to those who will plant 
colonies in New Netherland. (Printed in Dutch and 

English) 136 

7 Registration by Michiel Pauw of a colony on the river of 

Sickenames 154 

iq Registration by Samuel Godyn of the colony of Swanen- 

dael on the bay of the South River 155 

Oct. 15 Registration by Michiel Pauw of a colony on the island 

Fernando do Noronho 155 

22 Registration by Albert Coenraets Burgh of a colony on 

the island of St Vincent 156 

Nov. 1 Registration by Albert Coenraets Burgh and others of a 

colony on the east side of the South Bay 156 

16 Registration by Samuel Blommaert of a colony on the 

Fresh River 157 

19 Registration by Kiliaen van Rensselaer and associates of 
a colony above and below Fort Orange, on both sides of the 

North River 157 

1630 
Jan. 10 Registration by Michiel Pauw of the colony of Pavonia, on 

both sides of the North River, from the Narrows north. . 158 
5 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



1630 



PAGE 

Jan. 12 Instructions to Bastiaen Jansz Krol 158 

Extract of same 700 

16 Instructions to Wolfert Gerritsz 161 

Extract of same 700 

Feb. 1 First combination of colonies in New Netherland and shares 

each partner is to have in them 164 

Apr. 1 7 Registration by Samuel Blommaert of a colony on the 
island of St Martin or on Barbados, among the Caribbean 
Islands x 66 

Aug. 13 Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on the 
west side of the Hudson River from Smacks Island to 
Moenemin's Castle and of tract of land on the east side 
opposite Castle Island and Fort Orange 166 

Sept. 16 Symon Dircksz Pos, councilor in New Netherland, to 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer 169 

Oct. 1 Agreement between the patroons, Samuel Godyn, Albert 
Coenraets Burgh, Samuel Blommaert and Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer (with postscript of March 2, 1639) 171 

Nov. 7 Registration by Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his copartners 

of a colony on Sable Island 175 

Dec. 21 Registration of various colonies with the Chamber of 

Middelburg 176 

1631 

Jan. 12 Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Marinus 

Adriaensz van der Veere 176 

Extract of same 674 

Feb. 17 Agreement of Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere with Jasper 
Ferlyn van der Gouw; memorandum of similar agree- 
ments with Claes Brunsteyn van Straelsundt, Jan Tyaerts 
van Franicker and Cornells Maesen van Buyrmalsen. 

dated May 27, 1631 179 

May Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on the west 

side of the Hudson River between Beeren Island and 

Smacks Island iSt 

" 16 Extract from minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam. 
Request of Kiliaen van Rensselaer for transportation of 

Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere and others 784 

" 19. Extract from minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam. 
Request of Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere for permit 
to go to New Netherland and action on this request and 

that of Kiliaen van Rensselaer of the iOth 185 

" 27 See entry for Feb. 17, 163 1. 
July 2 Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Andries 

Christens^ and others 18ft 

Extract of same 675 

7 Extract from the minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam. 
Request of Kiliaen van Rensselaer for permission to send 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 7 

163I PAGE 

July 7 over to New Netherland colonists and animals, and 

granting of same 189 

" 7 Names of colonists sailing in de Eendracht 190 

" 9 Memoranda of payments to colonists and- for tools sent by 

them 191 

1632 
Jan. 1 Inventory of stock on farm no. 3, island of Manhattan .... 192 
June 15 Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Gerrit 

Theusz de Reux 193 

Extract of same 675 

15 Memoranda of the engagement of certain farm laborers. . 195 

27 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 196 

July 1 Power of attorney to Wouter van Twiller to administer the 

oath of schout to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest 201 

1 Power of attorney to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest to ad- 
minister the oath of schepen to Roelof Jansz van Master- 
land, Gerrit Theusz de Reux, Marinus Adriaensz van der 
Veere, Brant Peelen van Nijkerck and Laurens Laurensz 

van Coppenhagen; the schepen oath 202 

20 Memoranda from Kiliaen van Rensselaer to^ Wouter van 

Twiller 204 

20 Instructions to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest, schout, and 

the council of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 208 

Extract of same 701 

20 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 213 

20 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Dirck Cornelisz Duyster 215 

20 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Bastiaen Jansz Krol 217 

20 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert Gerritsz 218 

20 Memoranda about letters to Albert Dieterinck and Jacobus 

van Curler and about Rutger Morris 219 

20 List of animals in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 220 

20 List of the men on the farms 222 

20 Inventory of goods and cattle sold by Peter Minuit to 

Wouter van Twiller and Kiliaen van Rensselaer 223 

20 Bill of sale of increase of animals on farm no. 3, on the 
island of Manhattan, by Pieter Bijlvelt to Kiliaen van 

Rensselaer 225 

20 Promissory note of Kih'aen van Rensselaer to Pieter Bijlvelt 
for increase of animals on farm no. 3; receipts for pay- 
ment on same, dated Feb. 24, 1634 226 

20 Bill of sale of animals and implements on farm no. 3, on 
the island of Manhattan, by Pieter Bijlvelt to Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer .., 227 

27 Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Bijlvelt 
for animals and implements on farm no. 3 ; receipts for 
payments on same, dated Nov. 11, 1632. and Feb. 24, 
1634 228 



6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

1632 PAGE 

July 27 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 229 

Nov. 11 See entry for July 27, 1632. 

Pieter Bijlvelt to the copartners of the colony of Rensselaers- 

wyck 234 

1633 
Nov. 25 Memorial presented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the 

Assembly of the Nineteen of the West India Companv. . 235 
1634 
Feb. 24 See entry for July 20 and 27, 1632. 
Mar. 4 Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Jacob Albertsz 

Planck 250 

Extract of same 676 

i o Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Michiel Pauw. 254 
Apr. 5 Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Cornelis 

Teunisz van Breuckelen 255 

13 Further contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and 

Michiel Pauw 257 

15 Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Lubbert 

Gijsbertsz van Blaricum 258 

15 Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Hendrick 

Conduit van Coninghsbergen 260 

20 Names of persons ready to sail in de Eendracht 263 

20 Invoice of goods sent to the colony 263 

23 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 266 

26 Memorandum of the engagement of Hendrick Carstensz van 

Norden as farm laborer 288 

" 27 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 288 

" 27 Protest of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the West India Com- 
• pany on account of the detention of the animals of 

Gerrit Theusz de Reux and Pieter Bijlvelt 290 

" 27 Instructions to Jacob Albertsz Planck, schout 292 

Extract of same 701 

27 List of papers given to Jacob Albertsz Planck 296 

29 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Director and Council in New 

Netherland 297 

30 Order of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for pay- 

ment of bill 299 

May Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Roeloffsz 300 

2 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 300 

June 21 Arbitration of accounts of Pieter Bijlvelt and Kiliaen van 

Rensselaer 301 

30 Examination of Bastiaen Jansz Krol 302 

July 20 Bill of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for his share 

in expenses of patroonships in New Netherland 305 

20 Account of the jurisdictions, management and condition of 

the territories named Rcnsselaerswyck 306 

21 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 312 

21 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jehan Raye 313 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 9 

1635 PAGE 

May 24 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 313 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 315 

1636 

Jan. 10 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 317 

Aug. 26 Contract with Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam, Claes 
Jansz van Naerden and Albert Andriesz van Frederiek- 

stad (extract) 676 

26 Contract with Reynier Thijmensz, Dirck Jansz, "etc." 

(extract) 677 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 319 

Instructions to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam 

(extract) 702 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 323 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert Gerritsz 331 

List of papers and memoranda sent by Kiliaen van Rensse- 
laer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 331 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 333 

Kiiiaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 336 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest . 33 7 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 338 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 339 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 341 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 342 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 342 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 343 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 344 

Dirck Corssen Stam, Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger and Hendrick 

de Forest to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 345 

Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger to his wife, Trijn Janse Bruigh. . . . 346 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 347 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 348 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 349 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 349 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnicken- 
dam ^ 35° 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 351 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 353 

Log of the ship Rensselaerswyck on its voyage from Amster- 
dam to New Netherland and return, Sept. 25, 1636-Nov. 

7. 1637 355 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Peter Minuit 389 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 391 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 392 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 393. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Peter Minuit 395 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 396 



Sept. 


25 


Oct. 


2 


" 


3 




4 




4 


- 


6 


" 


6 


" 


8 


" 


15 




29 


" 


29 


Nov. 


10 


" 


28 


Dec. 


5 


" 


18 


1637 


Jan. 


8 


" 


9 


Apr. 


2 


June 


27 


Aug. 


20 


Sept. 


14 





21 


Nov. 


7 


Dec. 


25 


" 


25 


" 


26 


" 


26 


u 


29 


" 


29 



IO 



NEW YORK STATE LTBRARY 



1637 


Dec. 


29 




29 


1638 


Apr. 


28 


May 


6 




7 


" 


8 




8 


« 


10 




10 


" 


10 


" 


10 


" 


12 




12 


May 


or 


June 




Aug. 


14 


Sept 


14 


1639 


Mar. 


2 


" 


31 



Apr. 
May 



13 
" 13 

" 13 

" 13 

" 13 

June 11 



PAGE 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer .to Jacob Albertsz Planck 396 

K'liaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 39S 



Inventory of goods consigned to Jacob Albertsz Planck by 

the ship het Wapen van Noorwegen 399 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 400 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 402 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Ulrich Lupoltt 404 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnick- 

endam 406 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Mauritz Jansz van Broeckhuysen 408 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz • . . . 409 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 410 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 411 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 416 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells Melyn 419 

Petition of the officers and crew of het Wapen van Noor- 
wegen to lighten the ship 419 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 420 

Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 421 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem. . . . 424 



See entry for Oct. 1, 1630. 

Ordinance of Director and Council of New Netherland, pro- 
hibiting the sale of firearms to Indians and requiring 
vessels sailing to or from Fort Orange, the South River 

or Fort Hope, to obtain a permit 426 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 427 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 427 

Commission'to Arent van Curler as secretary and book- 
keeper of the colony of Rensselaersv. yck 433 

Commission to Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen as repre- 
sentative of the patroon 435 

Commission to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickcndam as re- 
ceiver of tithes and supercargo of the vessel 436 

Permit to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen to settle as 

farmer on de Laets Burg 437 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 438 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnicken- 

dam 443 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz 446 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Wolfertsz 448 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Ulrich Lupoltt 449 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 449 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Matthijs Muller (heading only) . . 450 



i639 

Aug. 3 


« 


4 




4 




4 


Oct. 


29 


Nov. 




Dec. 


9 


1640 

May 3 




7 


• " 


14 


M 


25 




29 




3° 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS II 

PAGE 
Ordinance of the patroon concerning the sale and export of 

furs, grain, etc 450 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler ._ 452 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 456 

Instructions to Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen as repre- 
sentative of the patroon 459 

Extract of same 702 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem.. . . 463 
Memorandum of matters for cousin de Casembroot to bring 

to the attention of Secretary Musch 466 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Alberts/. Planck 467 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muvss;irt 167 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart p>S 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 471 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 472 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 473 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 4S5 

" 30 Order of Wouter van Twiller to Aert Willemsz 490 

June 16 Instructions to Arent van Curler as secretary and book- 
keeper of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 490 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen. 495 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnicken- 

dam 497 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Michiel Jansz van Scrabbekercke. 499 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz 50c 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Reyer Stoffelsz 502 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuy- 

sen 503 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jan Cornelisz 504 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz 506 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 508 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 

storing grain and tobacco without inspection 515 

Memorandum of papers sent to the colony in the care of 

Crijn Cornelisz van Houten 515 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 5 1 6 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Chamber of Amsterdam of 

the West India Company 518 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 520 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem. . . 524 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 527 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 528 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 535 

Resolution of the States General empowering Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer to dispose of his lief of Rensselaerswyck by 

will 536 





25 




25 


" 


25 




25 


" 


25 




25 


" 


26 


July 


2 




2 




19 


Sept 


. 10 


« 


10 


Oct. 


25 


1641 


Jan. 


25 


M 


20 


" 


3i 


Feb. 


4 


" 


5 


*' 


5 



12 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



1641 


Feb. 


5 


" 


8 


" 


21 


Mar. 


2 5 


Apr. 


20 


" 


20 


May 


4 




13 


" 


14 


" 


14 




14 


11 


14 


June 


6 


" 


iS 


" 


18 


July 


10 


« 


17 


" 


18 


" 


iS 


- 


19 


" 


23 




27 


Aug. 


I 


" 


12 


Sept. 


, 21 




29 


" 


29 


Oct. 


8 


" 


9 


Nov. 


29 


Dec. 


10 


1642 


Feb. 


1 



Apr. 6 

May 14 
June 3 

5 
8 
8 



PAGE 

Letters patent empowering Kiliaen van Rensselaer to dis- 
pose of his fief of Rensselaerswyck by will 537 

Johannes de Laet to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 539 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Louis Saulmon 543 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 543 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem van Galen 545 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 545 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van der Donck 517 

Commission to Adriaen van der Donck as officer (extract) . . 703 

Instructions to Adriaen van der Donck as officer (extract) . . 703 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 548 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 540 

Order of Wouter van Twiller to Aert Willem sz 552 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 552 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 554 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck 554 

Order of the West India Company to Job Arisz, skipper of 
den Coninck David to transport Antony de Hooges, Jan 

Verbeck and family, and others 555 

Instructions to Antony de Hooges (extract) 704 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 556 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 

sale of firearms and ammunition to the Indians 565 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 566 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van der Donck 571 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 572 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck 573 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck regulating trade 573 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornelis van der Donck 574 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 575 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 576 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 578 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem van Galen 579 

Journal of Antony de Hooges on his voyage to New Nether- 
land in den Coninck David, July 30-Nov. 29, 1641 580 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornelis van der Donck O03 

Contract with Abraham Staas, surgeon (extract) 678 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis 604 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Johannes 

Megapolensis 606 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornelis van der Donck 608 

Memoranda from Kiliaen van Rensselaer for Johannes Mega- 
polensis (>0 9 

Contract with Evert Pels, brewer (extract) 679 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Antony de Hooges 620 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 621 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 3 

1642 PAGE 

Sept. 1 1 Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 623 

Oct. 10 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 
freemen and private traders from coming with their ves- 
sels within the limits of the colony 626 

iS Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 
inhabitants of the colony from trading with the " resi- 
dents " without special consent 627 

1643 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 

export of goods without special consent and forbidding 
people who come to live or hunt in the colony from leaving 

without making a contract 628 

Jan. 12 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Hendrick Willemsz 629 

12 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis of Coe- 

dijck 629 

Mar. 9 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van. der Donck 630 

13 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis 645 

16 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Oloff Stevensz 655 

" 16 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 656 

" 16 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 658 

18 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Antony de Hooges 669 

July 9 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 670 

18 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 671 

22 Sons of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jan Bastiaensz 672 

22 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis of Coe- 

dijck 672 

22 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 673 

Aug. 6 Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 673 

" 25 Contract with Cornells Segersz van Voorhout (extract). . . . 679 

25 Extracts from agreements and contracts between Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer and his colonists, Jan. 12, 1631-Aug. 25, 

1643 674 

26 Commission to Nieolaes Coorn as commander and commis on 

Rensselaers Steyn and to Jan Dircksz van Bremen as 

skipper of the vessel 680 

Extract of same 704 

Sept. 2 Placard warning private traders not to sail into the colony 
and setting forth new trade regulations in connection 

with the staple right of Rensselaers Steyn 682 

5 Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of Rensse- 
laerswyck 686 

" 8 Notice to be served on private traders who contrary to the 

patroon's orders sail into the colony 697 

Extract of same 705 

" 8 Extracts from instructions and commissions issued by Kili- 
aen van Rensselaer, Jan. 12, 1630-Sept. 8, 1643 699 

" 10 Account of arrmunition for Rensselaers Steyn 70 



14 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

1643 PAGE 

Sept. 16 Proper remedy against the abuse of outstanding accounts 

in the colony of Rensselaerswvck 707 

1644 
Aug. 9 Account of grain delivered by Teunis Dircksz van Vechten 

to the West India Company 715 

" 13 Sentence of banishment pronounced on Adriaen Willemsz. . 715 
" 31 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck regulating the 

picking of hops 716 

Dec. 26 Ledger of the accounts of the ship het Wapen van Rensse- 

laerswycic, Oct. 20-Dec. 26, 1644 717 

1645 
May 8 Ordinance concerning the fur trade issued by the officers 
at Fort Orange in conjunction with the court of the 

colony of Rensselaerswyck 722 

1647 
Aug. 4 Johannes de Laet and Samuel Blommaert to Albert Coen- 

raets Burgh, with reply 724 

1648 
Nov. 20 Resolution of the States General on the petition of Samuel 

Blommaert and others 725 

1649 
Apr. 26 Resolution of the States General in the matter of Johannes 

van Rensselaer and others 725 

May 3 r Reply of Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet to the 

States General 726 

June 4 Resolution of the States General in the matter of Johannes 

Van Rensselaer and others 729 

July 3 States General to Jan van Wely~and Wouter van T wilier. . 729 
Nov. 5 Resolution of the States General on a petition of Samuel 

Blommaert and Johannes de Laet 730 

1650 

Mar. 26 Sentence of Claes Andriesz 731 

Aug. 25 Lease of land at the south end of Greenbush to Cornelis 

Hendricksz van Nes 762 

1651 

Inventory of animals in the colony sent over by Jan Baptist 

van Rensselaer 732 

Memorandum of farms in the colony 740 

1652 
Aug. 28 Renewal of lease of farm to Cornelis Teunisz van Brcuckclen 

(Cornelis Anthonisz van Schlick) and Jean Labatie. ... 752 
Sept. 14 Renewal of lease of farm on Papscanee Island to Claes Cor- 

nelisz van Voorhout 767 

M 29 Lease of Castle Island to Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout. . 777 

1653 

Feb. 15 Renewal of lease of island opposite Bethlehem to Jan 

Reyersz van Houten 7 7 r 

May. r Renewal of lease of farm and wafer power to Evert Pels. . 759 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 5 

1653 PAGE 

May 29 Bill of lading for three parcels of furs shipped from New 

Amsterdam by Jan Baptist van Rensselaer in de Elbinck. 743 
Nov. 8 Petition of Anna van Welv and others for appraisal of 

houses and lots in Amsterdam belonging to the estate of 

the late Kiliaen van Rensselaer, with appraisers' report. . 744 
i654 
Jan. 29 Offer of lease of grist and sawmills on the fifth creek to the 
-Feb. 2 highest bidder and memorandum that it has been granted 

to Jacob Jansz Plodder 746 

Mar. 7 Lease of farm north of the fifth creek to Johan de Hulter. . 751 

May 1 Lease of farm in Greenbush to Aert Jacobsz 763 

June 2 Agreement about changes in above lease of Jacob Tansz 

Flodder 748 

23 Renewal of the lease of farm called de Hoogeberch to Gijs- 

bert Cornelisz van Breuckelen 769 

July 20 Lease of farm west of the creek of Castle Island to Jean 

Labatie 775 

Nov. 18 Lease of farm between the two creeks to Jan Barentsz 

Wemp 7^5 

Dec. 14 Lease of water power of the upper mill on the fifth creek to 

Barent Pietersz and Tennis Cornelisz van Spitsbergen . . 749 
1655 
Mar. 1 Transfer of lease of maize land from Abraham Stevensz to 

Barent Pietersz and extension of the lease 749 

Apr. 10 Transfer of lease of farm from Pieter Winne to Eldert 

Gerbertsz Cruyf 772 

1656 
Aug. 3 Permission to Barent Pietersz and Teunis Cornelisz van 

Spitsbergen to erect another sawmill on the fifth creek. . 750 
Sept. 30 Lease of water power on the mill creek south of the farm 

occupied by Jan Barentsz Wemp to Abraham Pietersz 

Vosburgh and Hans Jansz van Rotterdam 754 

1657 
Mar. 29 Settlement of accounts, 1638-57, of the patroon and Teunis 

Dircksz van Vechten 766 

Apr. 28 Lease of horses to Thomas Higgins, called Compeer 780 

Mav 1 Renewal of lease of farm south of Greenbush to Teunis 

Dircksz van Vechten 764 

1658 
May 1 Lease of land on island opposite Beverwyck to Arcnt An- 

driesz 758 

Tulv 12 Agreement of the council of Rensselaerswyck to pay tithes 

to the West India Company 781 

Sept. 10 Adjustment of fire losses on farm of Aert Jacobsz at Beth- 
lehem 774 

t 1 Agreement about lease of a parcel of land on the east side 

of the river, opposite den sack, to Goossen Gerritsz and 

Thomas Jansz 758 





1658 


n. 


d. 


n. 


d. 


n. 


d. 


n. 


d. 


11. 


d. 



l6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Memorandum that the water power opposite Bethlehem is 

not leased yy Q 

Memorandum that Jan Helmsz has not renewed his lease. . 772 
Memorandum that Eldert Gerbertsz has not renewed his 

sawmill lease 772 

Memorandum of farm of Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout. . 775 
Memorandum that Albert Andriesz has not renewed his 

lease 775 

Sept. n Extracts from leases of farms, sawmills, etc. 1650-58. . . . 746 

1659 
Oct. 6 Sibout Kiewert~to notary in Holland 783 

1662 

June 28 See entry for May 15, 1671, 

1663 

Oct. 26 Petition of the schout, burgomaster and schepens of New 
Amsterdam to the Director and Council of New Nether- 
land for the convocation of delegates from the several 
towns to consider the state of the province; with the 

resolution on the same 784 

Nov. 3 Delegates to the convention at New Amsterdam to Jan 

Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh 785 
3 Delegates to the convention at New Amsterdam to the 

Chamber of Amsterdam of the West India Company. . . 787 
10 List of papers sent to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and 
Johannes Pietersz van Brugh in the name of the delegates 

to the convention at New Amsterdam 788 

10 Burgomaster and schepens of New Amsterdam to Jan 

Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh. 789 
1665 

Apr. 28 Insurance policy on the ship het Gekruijste Hart, and lading. 790 

1671 

May 15 Jan Ilendricksz van Gunst to B. Coornhart, notary at 

Amsterdam 792 

15 Power of attorney from Jan Hendricksz van Gunst to B. 
Coornhart, to collect money from Aeltje Marchal and 

others 793 

15 Note of hand, dated June 28, 1662, of Aeltje Marchal to 

Jan Hendricksz van Gunst 795 

July 6 Accounts and invoice of the ship de Witte Kloodt 795 

Brant Schuyler to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 803 

List of settlers of the colony of Rens^elaerswyck, 1630-58. . 805 
Former Dutch coins, weights and measures and their 

equivalents 847 

Index, ,*... , ., ,, 851 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING 
PAGE 

Merchant's mark of Kiliaen van Rensselaer 67 

Mark of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 85 

Last page of Uryhcden ende Exemption (Freedoms and Exemptions) 

Amsterdam 1631 152 

Signature of Kiliaen van Rensselaer 163 

Notarial copy of extract from minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam 

of the West India Company, July 7, 1631 189 

Memorandum of the engagement of certain farm laborers, June 15, 

1632 196 

Last part of inventory of goods and animals sold by Peter Minuit to 

Wouter van T wilier and Kiliaen van Rensselaer, July 20, 1632 224 

Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Bijlvelt, July 20, 

1632, with receipt of February 24, 1634 226 

List of persons who are to sail by the ship de Eendracht, April 20, 1634. 2D 3 
Order by Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for payment of bill, 

April 30, 1634 299 

Last lines of letter from Dirck Corssen Stam, Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger 

and Hendrick de Forest to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, January 8, 1637... 345 
Entries in log of the ship Rensselaerswyck, November 1 and 2, 1636.... 360 
Last part of letter of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Peter Minuit, December 

2 9- i€>S7, and first lines of letter of same date to Willem Kieft 395 

Order of the West India Company to Job Arisz, skipper of den Coninck 

David, to transport Antony de Hooges and others, July 10, 1641... 556 
Waerschovwinge, Verboth aide Toe-latinghe, weghens de Colonie van 

Renselacrs-wyck (Warning, Prohibition and Permission concerning 

the colony of Rensselaerswyck), September 2, 1643 682 

Title page of Redr.es Van de Abuysen ende Faulten in de Colonie van 

Rensselaers-wijck (Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of 

Rensselaerswyck) . Amsterdam 1643 686 

Insinuatie, Protestatic, ende Presentatie van weghen den Patroon van de 

Colonie van Rensselaer s-wijek (Notice, Protest and Permission on 

behalf of the patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck), SeptemDer 

8, 1643 697 



1 8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Signatures of Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet 728 

Petition of Anna van Wely and others for appraisal of houses and lots 
at Amsterdam belonging to the estate of the late Kiliaen van Rens- 
selaer, with appraisers' report, November 8, 1653 744 

Last part of letter of burgomaster and schepens of New Amsterdam to 
Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, Novem- 
ber 10, 1663 789 

Signature of Jan Hendricksz van Gunst 793 

Map of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, about 1632 In pocket 



New York State Education Department 



New York State Library 

VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY 
A. J. F. van Laer, Archivist 

INTRODUCTION 

The present work contains translations of a collection of manu- 
scripts which on examination will prove one of the most valuable 
sources of information for the history of early Dutch settlement in 
the state of New York. The collection comprises a great variety 
of papers, including journals of voyages, deeds, leases, contracts, 
accounts and inventories of cattle ; but the most important item is 
a volume containing copies of letters, memorials and instructions 
written between the years if.30 and 1643 by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 
the founder of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, to his colonists, to 
officials of the West India Company, to his copartners and to the 
States General. Nearly all the papers relate primarily to the estab- 
lishment and the early development of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, but incidentally they touch on many matters relating to settle- 
ment in other parts of the province of New Netherland as well. 

History of the manuscripts. The papers have been handed 
down in the Holland branch of the van Rensselaer family and are 
at present owned by Jonkheer H. J. J. van Rensselaer Bowier and 
Jonkheer M. W. M. M. van Rensselaer Bowier, the surviving sons 
of the late Vice Admiral van Rensselaer Bowier, who inherited the 
papers from his mother, Sara van Rensselaer, the last of the name 
in Holland. 

The first person to use the papers for historical purposes was 
Mr Nicolaas de Roever, late archivist of the city of Amsterdam, to 
whose prolific pen and keen interest in matters pertaining to 17th 
century Dutch history so many valuable articles are due. Mr de 
Roever learned of the existence of the papers in 1888 and in 1890 
published in Oud Holland, a periodical devoted to the history of 
Dutch art, literature and industry of which he was the editor, a few 

19 



20 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of the most important documents, as appendixes to two articles on 
Kiliaen -ran Rensselaer en rjijne kolonie Rensselaerszvijck, which in 
narrative form give a summary of the contents of the papers up to 
1641. Other articles were to follow, hut owing to Mr de Roever's 
death were not written. The articles appear to have attracted at- 
tention in this country about 1896. They contained much that was 
either new or at variance with long accepted notions as to events 
in the early days of the colony and hence aroused curiosity as to 
the extent of the collection and the nature of the material which 
remained unpublished. In 1902, Miss Ruth Putnam made a special 
trip to Holland to investigate the matter, and on her return gave 
an account of her experiences in the November number of the 
Bibliographer. It proved that the papers, shortly after the death 
of Mr de Roever in 1893, naf l Deen returned to the family and in 
1895 were loaned by an elder brother of the present owners, since 
deceased, to a friend by the name of J. F. Pieters, who took the 
papers to America and there, assuming the name of Pieters van 
Wely, attempted to dispose of them at private sales. Mr Pieters 
however did not succeed and finally, leaving the papers in the hands 
of Mr George Waddington of New York, returned to Holland, 
wdiere he shortly after died. Efforts were made by the van Rens- 
selaer Bowicr family to recover the papers from his widow but not 
sufficiently pressed to disclose where the papers had been left and 
for some years nothing more was heard of them. In January 1903, 
the present editor learned from the late Mr John V. L. Pruyn that 
manuscripts of doubtful origin, relating to the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck and going by the name of van Wely papers had been 
left in the hands of his friend Mr Waddington. Concluding that 
these must be the missing' van Rensselaer Bowier papers to which 
Miss Putnam had just called attention, he secured through Mr 
Pruyn permission to examine the papers at the State Library and, 
by comparison with the documents published by Mr de Roever, re- 
moved all doubt as to their identity. The fact was reported to Mr 
Waddington and his permission obtained to communicate with Mrs 
van Rensselaer Bowier, the widow of the late admiral. It so hap- 
pened that just then Mrs Bowier and her youngest son were on 
their way to make a brief visit to this country. They were ex- 
pected to stay a few days with. Mrs Alan H. Strong, of New 
Brunswick, N. J., and news of the whereabouts of the papers was 
sent to them there. The owners immediately rcpicvincd the papers 
but, finding that no one intended to contest their claims, abandoned 
further legal action and entered into the following amicable agree- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 21 

merit with the Regents of the University of the State of New- 
York : 

an agreement entered into July 29, 1903 between John De Witt Peltz of 
Albany, N. Y., representing- Hugo Jan Jacob Van Rensselaer-Rowier and 
Marten Wilhelmus Marius Magdaltts Van Rensselaer-Bowier, and the Board 
of Regents of the University of the State of New York, concerning the 
custody, use and disposition of certain documents and papers obtained by 
Mr Arnold J. F. van Laer from one Waddington of New York City which 
have been the subject of litigation in the Supreme Court in Albany county. 

First. \t is agreed that the documents above referred to shall be trans- 
lated and published as a bulletin by the Regents of the University, together 
with so much of the original as the library committee may deem desirable, 
together with Mrs Strong's translation of the unfinished DeRoevcr printed 
articles relating to these documents with a preface by Mrs Strong, but such 
translation and preface shall be subject to the revision and approval of the 
library committee of the Regents before publication. 

Second, Mrs Strong shall be permitted to copyright her translation and 
preface before publication by the State, if it can be done under the laws 
of the State and rules of the Foard of Regents. 

Third. Mrs Strong and the Messrs Van Rensselaer-Bowier shall each 
receive free of charge 25 copies of the completed "work, being 50 copies 
in all. 

Fourth. The original documents shall be left in the custody of the 
Regents until February 1, 1904, for the purpose of the translation and pub- 
lication above referred to and for no other purpose, and shall then be re- 
turned to John De Witt Peltz, Esq., as representative of the owners. 

Fifth. This agreement shall not be valid until it receives the written 
approval of Mrs Strong. 

Jno DeWitt Peltz 

Robert C. Pruyn ) Committee of 

Albert Vander Veer ) the Regents 

I hereby approve the above agreement. 

Susan de Lancey van Rensselaer Strong 

The papers received from Mr Waddington consisted of the fol- 
lowing : 

Van Rensselaer Bowier manuscripts 

Numbers in curves are those on backs of documents. Number of pages given after each 
entry refers to written pages only. 

i 1629, Jan. 13-1643, Aug. 6 Letter Book of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

i83f. (366p.) 34x23cm. 

Marked on the outside: N°. A. Rensselaers Wijck Gclecgen Jnde Noort- 
reviere van Nicunederlandt. Bound in vellum with green linen cove 

The greater part of the writing in the Letter Book appears to be the work 
of three or four different clerks employed by the patroon in the course of 
the years 1629—43. Here and there a document is entered in another hand 
and in all some 14 or 13 different hands may be counted. The date of 
each letter and the name of the person to whom it is addressed are usually 
written by the patroon and marginal notes, additions and corrections, also 111 
his handwriting, indicate that the majority uf the letters have been revised 
by him personally. 

2 (36) 1630, Sept. 16 Letter : Symon Dircksz Pos, councilor in New 

W'therland, to Kiliaen van Rensselaer. i^4p- 

Printed in Oud Holland, 1890, 8:70-71. 

3 (25) 1631, May Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on 

the west side of the Hudson River between Beeren Island and 
Smacks Island. 33?/>x3Scm. 

Parchment. Also in Letter Book, f. ib, and in Dutch Patents, vol. GG, 
p. 9-1 1. 



22 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

4 (4) 1632? Petition: Pieter Bijlvelt to the copartners of the colony 

of Rensselaerswyck. 2p. 
Much eaten by ink. 

5 (5) 1632, July 20 Bills of sale of animals, increase of animals and 

implements on farm no. 3, on the island of Manhattan, by 
Pieter Bijlvelt to Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 2p. 

In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. Also in part in Letter 
Book, f. 24. 

6 (6) 1632, July 27 Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter 

Bijlvelt for animals and implements on farm no. 3 ; receipts for 
payments on same, dated Nov. 11, 1632, and Feb. 24, 1634. '/p. 

In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

7 (39) 1632, July 20 Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter 

Bijlvelt for increase of animals on farm no. 3; receipt fur pay- 
ment on same, dated Feb. 24, 1634. i^P- 

In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

8 (1) 1634, Apr. 30 Order of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 

for payment of bill ; receipted by Reynier Pauw. y^p. 

9 (3) 1C34, July 20 Bill of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 

for his share in expenses of patroonships in New Netherland. ip. 

10 (2) 1634, June 21 xAxbitration of accounts of Pieter Bijlvelt and Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer by Michiel Pauw and Hendrik Hoochcamer. ip. 

11 (19) 1636, Sept. 25-1637, Nov. 7 Log of the ship Rensselaerswyck on 

its voyage from Amsterdam to New Netherland and return. 55p. 

Marked on outside: Joercnacl voocr ijan ticpks Sclicllinger (Journal for 
Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger). 

12 (35) 1637, Jan. 8 Letter : Dirck Corssen Stam, Jan Tiepkesz Schel- 

linger and Hendrick de Forest to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, ip. 
Written from Ilfracombe, Devon, England. 

13 (20) 1637, Jan. 9 Letter: Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger to his wife, Trijn 

Janse Bruigh. 

Written from Ilfracombe. 

14 (44) 1638 Petition of the officers and crew of het Wapen van Noor- 

wegen to Cornells Melyn to lighten the ship. ip. 

15 (38) 1638, Aug. 14 Letter: Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 3p. 

16 (43) 1639, Mar. 31 Ordinance of Director and Council of New Nether- 

land, prohibiting the sale of firearms to Indians and requiring 
vessels sailing to or from Fort Orange, the South River or Fort 
Hope, to obtain a permit, ip. 

Also in N.Y.Col.Mss, 4:36. and translation printed in Laws ant Or fi- 
nances of New Netherland, p. 1S-19. 

17 (18) 1640, July 19 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, pro- 

hibiting storing grain and tobacco without inspection. 20X3iJ^cm. 
Same in 18. 

18 (58) 1640, July 19-1644, Aug. 31 Copies of certain ordinances published 

in the colony of Rensselaerswyck. I2p. 

Cofia ran Eenige placcaten gefiubliceert Jnde Colonic Van Rensselaers 
Wijck. N°: T: In the handwriting of Antony de Uooges. 

19 (29) 1641, Feb. 5 Resolution of the States General empowering Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer to dispose of his fief of Rensselaerswyck by 
will. ip. 

Translation printed in Doc.rcl.to Col. Hist. N.Y. 1:124. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2$ 

20 (40) 1641, Feb. 5 Letters patent empowering Kiliaen van Rensselaer to 

dispose of his fief of Rensselaerswyck by will. 52x67cm. 

Parchment. Translation printed in Doc.rel.to Col. Hist. N-Y. 1:124. 

21 (7) 1641, Feb. 8 Letter: Johannes de Laet to Kiliaen van Rens- 

selaer. 3p. 

22 (9) 1641, July 10 Order of the West India Company to Job Arisz, 

skipper of den Coninck David, to transport Antony de Hooges, 
Jan Verbeeck and family, and others, ip. 

Printed blank. 

23 (17) 1641, July 18 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, pro- 

hibiting sale of firearms and ammunition to Indians, ip. 
Same in 18 and 31. 

24 (8) 1641, July 30-Nov. 29 Journal of Antony de Hooges on his voy- 

age to New Netherland in den Coninck David. i6p. 

Journael gehouden opt Schip den Coninck David, gedestineert naer A ieu .'- 
Ncderlandt Anno 1641. 

2 5 (37) 1642, Sept. 11 Letter: Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 3p. 

26 (15) 1642, Oct. 10 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, pro- 

hibiting freemen and private traders from coming with their 
vessels within the limits of the colony. 323/2x41011. 
Same in 18. 

27 (48) 1643, Aug. 26 Commission to Nicolaes Coorn as commander and 

commis on Rensselaers Steyn and to Jan Dircksz van Bremen 
as skipper of the vessel. * 2p. 
Copy. 

28 (22) 1643, Sept. 10 Account of ammunition for Rensselaers Steyn and 

the arsenal, ip. 

Reeckeninge vande Amonitie voor Rensselaers Steijn en Wagenhuijs 
[ Wapenhuijs]. 

29 (16) 1643 Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, prohibiting 

export of goods without special consent and forbidding people 
who come to live or hunt in the colony from leaving without 
making a contract. 2p. 

Same in 18 in same handwriting. 

30 (13) 1644, Dec. 26 Ledger -of the accounts of the ship het Wapen van 

Rensselaerswyck. 6f. 

Schult Boeck Voor Reeckcninghc Vant Schip het Wapen Van Rcnsslaers- 
Wyck. N°. M: 

31 (14) 1645, May 8 Ordinance concerning the fur trade issued by the 

officers at Fort Orange in conjunction with the court of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck; also, ordinance of July 18, 1641 ; 
also, account of grain delivered by Teunis Dircksz van Vechten 
to the West India Company, dated Aug. 9, 1644. 3p. 

32 (46) 1647, Aug. 4 Letter: Johannes de Laet and Samuel Blommaert 

to Albert Coenraets Burgh, with reply. 2p. 

Papers 33-44 arc copies made in 1649 for use in settling the claims 
of the late patroon's copartners in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

33 (41) 1629, Jan. 13-1630, Nov. 7 List of the colonies registered with the 

Chamber of Amsterdam, abstracted for the Assembly of the 
XIX, in Zealand, Dec. 21, 1630. 3p. 



24 MEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

34 (42) 1629, June 19-Nov. 19 Extract from the Register of resolutions 

passed by the directors of the Chartered West India Company, 
Chamber of Amsterdam. 2p. 

35 (52) 1629, Nov. 19 Registration by Kiliaen van Rensselaer and asso- 

ciates of a colony above and below Fort Orange, on both sides 
of the North River, ip. 

36 (49) 1630, Jan. 12-1643, Sept. 8 Extracts from instructions and com- 

missions issued by Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 6p. 

37 (32) 1630, Feb. 1 First combination of colonies in New Netherland 

and shares each partner is to have in them. 2p. 

38 (51) 1631; Jan. 12-1643, Aug. 25 Extracts from agreements and con- 

tracts between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his colonists. 5p. 

39 (31) 1648, Nov. 20 Resolution of the States General on the petition of 

Samuel Blommaert and others, ip. 

40 (30) 1649, Apr. 26 Resolution of the States General in the matter of 

Johannes van Rensselaer and others, ip. 

41 (60) 1649, May 31 Reply of Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet 

to the States General. 2p. 

42 (26) 1649, June 4 Resolution of the States General in the matter of 

Johannes van Rensselaer and others, ip. 

43 (27) 1649, July 3 Notification from the States General to Jan van 

Wely and Wouter van Twiller. ip. 

44 (28) 1649, Nov. s Resolution of the States General on a petition of 

Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet. ip. 

45 (59) 1650, Aug. 25-1658, Sept. 11 Extracts from leases and agreements 

relating to the farms, sawmills, plantations and other property 
in the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 64P. 

46 (47) 165 1 Inventory of animals in the colony sent over by Jan Baptist 

van Rensselaer. 19P. 

47 (23) 1653, May 29 Bill of lading for three parcels of furs shipped 

from New Amsterdam by Jan Baptist van Rensselaer in de 
Elbinck. J^p. 

Printed blank. 

48 (50) 1653, Nov. 8 Petition of Anna van Wely and others for appraisal 

of houses and lots in Amsterdam belonging to the estate of the 
late Kiliaen van Rensselaer, with appraisers' report, ip. 

49 (34) 1659, Oct. 6 Letter: Sibout Kiewert, of St Christopher, to notary 

in Holland about the sale of a grave [at Amsterdam?]. y 2 p. 

50 (56) 1663, Oct. 26 Petition of the sellout, burgomaster and schepens 

of New Amsterdam to the director and council of New Nether- 
land for the convocation of delegates from the several towns 
to consider the state of the province; with the resolution on 
the same. 3p. 

51 (54) 1663, Nov. 3 Letter: delegates to the convention at New Amster- 

dam to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van 
Brugh. 2p. 
52' (55) 1663, Nov. 3 Letter: delegates to the convention at New Amster- 
dam to the Chamber of Amsterdam of the West India Com- 
pany, ip. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 25 

53 (54 a ) J 663, Nov. 10 List of papers sent to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer 

and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh in the name of the delegates 
to the convention at New Amsterdam, ip. 

54 (57) 1663, Nov. 10 Letter: burgomaster and schepens of New Amster- 

dam to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van 
Brugh. 1 p. 

55 (24) 1665, Apr. 28 Insurance policy on the ship het Gekruijste Hart 

and lading, ip. 

Printed blank. 

56 (45) 1671, July 6 Accounts and invoice of the ship de Witte Kloodt. 

6p. 

57 (33) 1671, May 15 Power of attorney from Jan Hendricksz van Gunst 

to B. Coornhart, notary at Amsterdam, to collect money from 
Aeltje Marchal and others. 2p. 

58 (33a) 1671, May 15 Letter: Jan Hendricksz van Gunst to B. Coorn- 

hart, notary at Amsterdam. 2p. 

59 (33^) 1671, May 15 Note of hand, dated June 28, 1662, of Aeltje 

Marchal to Jan Hendricksz van Gunst. J^p. 

60 (53) 1696, Dec. 30 Letter: Brant Schuyler to Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

IP- 

Printed documents accompanying above manuscripts 

61 (11) 1629, June 7 Freedoms and Exemptions for the patroons, masters 

or private persons who will plant any colonies in and send 
cattle to New Netherland, drawn up for the benefit of the 
General West India Company in New Netherland and for the 
profit of the patroons, masters and private persons, up. 
19.3x15.3cm. 

Uryhedcn ende Exemptien voor de Pairoonen / Meestcrs ofte Particu- 
Keren / die op Nieu-Nederlaiuit eenighe Colonien ende Vee sullen planten 
geconsidereert ten dienst Tan de Generate West-Indische Compsgwe in 
Nieu-Nederlandt / ende het voordeel van de Patrooncn / Meesters ende 
Particulieren. 

62 (21) 1643, Sept. 2 Placard warning private traders not to sail into the 

colony and setting forth new trade regulations in connection 
with the staple right of Rensselaers Steyn. 

Broadside 41x28cm, letterpress 37. 8x24. 4cm. 

Entitled: Waerschovwinge, V.erboth, ende Toe-latinghe, weghens de 
Colonie van Renselaers-zvyck (Warning, Prohibition and Permission con- 
cerning the colony of Rensselaerswyck). 

63 (12) 1643, Sept. 5 Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of 

Rensselaerswyck. I4p. 20x15.5cm. 

Redres Van de Abuysen ende Faulten in de Colonie van Rcnsselaers- 
zuijek. 

64 (10) 1643, Sept. 8 Notice to be served on private traders who con- 

trary to the patroon's orders sail into the colony. 

Broadside 41.3x33cm, letterpress 31.4x22cm. 

Entitled: Insinuatie, Protcstatic, ende Presentatie van wcghen den 
Patrooti von dc Colonie van Rensselacrs-wijck (Notice, Protest and Per- 
mission on behalf of the patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck). 

No. 13, 15, 17, four documents in 18, 23, 25-29, 36, 38, 50-52 and 54 
of the above list were accompanied by recent transcripts appar- 
ently made for Mr Nicolaas de Roe\er. 



26 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Judging' from a statement by Miss Putnam, that " not even a 
stray sheet relating to the American colony of Rensselaerwyck " 
was found among the papers which she examined at Amsterdam, 
it is probable that the above listed papers include all the documents 
used by Mr de Roever with the exception of four, namely : the 
Protest to the West India Company, April 27, 1634, and the Exam- 
ination of Bastiaen Jansz Krol, June 30, 1634, both printed in 
Oud Holland; the Certificate of purchase, August 13, 1630, now 
in the hands of the Hon. John Boyd Thacher; and the Journal of 
a trip to the Senecas, in 1634, which is apparently the same as 
the document secured by Gen. James Grant Wilson at Amsterdam 
in 1895, and printed by him under the erroneous title of "Arent 
van Curler and his Journal of 1634-35." 

Translations. Of the papers received from Mr Waddington 
transcripts were at once made and the originals, in accordance 
with the agreement, returned to Mr Peltz as representative of the 
owners on February 1, 1904. The work of translation was there- 
upon begun and. the present volume is the result. It contains in 
chronologic order complete translations of the papers received 
and, by way of introduction, translations of Mr de Roever's articles, 
furnished by Mrs Strong, whose connection with the work is ex- 
plained in a separate preface. It is fair to say these latter trans- 
lations and those of the documents given by Mr de Roever as 
appendixes, which were also furnished by Mrs Strong and are 
printed in their proper chronologic place, have been carefully 
revised by the editor, who has introduced such changes as he 
deemed necessary and must therefore be held solely responsible 
for whatever errors are found in them. A few discrepancies be- 
tween the translations of these appendixes and the text as printed 
in Oud Holland are due to the fact that this text does not always 
exactly follow the original but words have been omitted or mis- 
read and headings have been changed to conform to a general 
style of editing. In all such cases the translation has been made 
to agree with the original. 

The original plan was to print the entire body of manuscripts 
both in Dutch and English but a more careful examination of the 
nature and condition of the papers soon made it evident that no 
such elaborate treatment was required or even desirable. One 
reason for this is that the prolixity of the patroon and the repe- 
tition of the same matters in letters to different individuals, make 
one feel the need for condensation rather than for duplication of 
the material ; another reason is that the very repetitions afford in 



VAN RENSSELAER BOVVIER MANUSCRIPTS 27 

themselves opportunity for verification of the statements made; 
and yet a third, that the copies in the Letter Book, which contain 
many errors and frequently continue for pages without punctua- 
tion, make difficult reading which would benefit none but the most 
expert in the Dutch language and therefore not warrant the great 
expense of printing involved. These, statements however do not 
apply to the documents concerning the organization and internal 
management of the West India Company nor to the charter of 
Freedoms and Exemptions ; these are printed at the beginning of 
the present work and, on account of the importance of each article, 
the difficulty of interpretation always connected with law, and the 
fact that other translations differing materially from the present 
have been printed before, it has seemed desirable to give the Dutch 
text as well as the translation. As shown in the footnotes to these 
documents, neither the charter of the West India Company nor its 
amplifications nor the Agreement between the directors and chief 
participants are found among the Van Rensselaer Bowier manu- 
scripts. They have been included because a knowledge of their 
contents is essential to the correct understanding of certain allus- 
ions in the patroon's writings and because no satisfactory trans- 
lations were available elsewhere. 

In regard to the preparation of this work it may be said that 
correctness of interpretation has been the chief aim of the trans- 
lation and that occasional awkwardness of construction must be 
ascribed to the impossibility of making smooth and idiomatic 
English out of the unusually involved and clumsy passages which 
occur in the original. Phrases that were in any way obscure or 
that seemed particularly important have been cited in footnotes. 
Names of persons have been given as in the original, including 
apparent designations of trade or place of origin, in order that 
the reader might have the benefit of the entire form as it occurs. 
From this rule depart the names in Mr de Roever's articles, which 
are printed in Oud Holland with a comma between the patronymic 
and the preposition van, as RUTGER HENDRIKSZ, van Soest, 
and which for this reason have been given in the present work by 
translating van into from, as Rutgcr Hendrikss, from Soest. 
Italics have been used throughout to indicate that the spelling of a 
word follows the original, the only exception to this rule being 
the word com mis, which is written also as commies, commijs, 
commys and comys, but for which it seemed desirable to adopt a 
standard form. This term commis, when used in the sense of 
agent, whether in the colony, at the fort or elsewhere, but not 



28 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

when used in the sense of supercargo of a vessel, has heen retained 
only after considerable hesitation and because no satisfactory Eng- 
lish term seemed available. O'Callaghan, Brodhead and other 
writers have translated it as commissary, which is not bad when un- 
derstood in the sense of a person having charge of stores or pro- 
visions, except for the fact that it creates confusion because the 
same word has been used by these writers and by the early English 
colonial governors in their official instructions to render the Dutch 
term commissaris, applying to the magistrates of the local court at 
Albany. The term commis has distinctly a commercial flavor and 
the fact that the commisen in the colony of Rensselaer swyck and 
at Fort Orange had also, and necessarily, a certain measure of ad- 
ministrative power does not alter the circumstance that they were 
primarily trading agents. The term factor comes perhaps nearest 
to it, but is objectionable because it literally corresponds to the 
Dutch term factoor which is not used in connection with the 
colonial establishments in New Netherland. Wishing to avoid the 
confusion of the term commissary, and not thinking it advisable 
to introduce the word factor, the best solution seemed to be to 
retain the word commis. Strictly speaking, the word commis need 
not have been italicized any more than schout, schepens and 
other Dutch terms which occur in the text but, inasmuch as the 
term commis was a new feature in English rendering of New 
Netherland terminology, it seemed best to make this exception 
and give the reader the benefit of knowing in each case which 
was the particular word used in the original. 

Historical value. The value of the Van Rensselaer Bowier 
manuscripts as an historical source lies in the authenticity of the 
information conveyed no less than in the circumstance that for 
part of the period covered they are, with the exception of a few 
land patents, some extracts from the records of the States General 
and the meager accounts in de Eaet, Wassenaer and de Vries, the only 
available material for the history, not only of the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck, but of settlement in other parts of New Netherland 
as well. The papers consist for the greater part of the writings 
of the man who for the first 16 years of the life of the colony 
managed its affairs from his- home at Amsterdam and contain 
therefore first-hand information as to the plan and motive of the 
successive steps taken in building up the settlement which has 
played such a conspicuous part in the development of the province. 
The letters of ECiliaen van Rensselaer antedate by four years the 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 20, 

earliest business accounts and by 13 years the earliest administrative 
records that have been preserved among- papers of the Van Rens- 
selaer family in this country, cited by previous writers and in the 
present work as the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts, and from the 
nature of the case contain much about conditions in the colony that 
was hitherto either unknown or imperfectly understood. It is true 
that the papers inform us about the patroon's intentions as to what 
should be done, rather than about what actually took place, but on 
the whole a very satisfactory insight into the gradual development 
of the colony is afforded. Nothing is more interesting than to trace 
the growth of the settlement from feeble beginnings to a large and 
flourishing estate; to watch the increase of population, the multipli- 
cation of trades, the extension of duties and powers of administra- 
tive officers and the final organization of a system of local govern- 
ment which is unique in the history of the province. With respect to 
all these matters the present papers furnish information which is 
completely at variance with the statements about the establishment 
of the colony made by O'Callaghan and the numerous other writers 
whose accounts may be traced back to his. In reading these ac- 
counts one receives the impression that with the exception of the 
district of Papscanee practically all the land included in the later 
manor of Rensselaerswyck, situated on both sides of the river and 
covering a tract 24 miles long by 48 miles wide, was bought as early 
as 1630; that the same year no less than 20 settlers came over; that 
immediately a fully organized court with Jacob Albertsz Planck as 
sellout was established and that, also in 1630, Arent van Curler took 
up his duties of commissary-general or superintendent of the colony. 
The papers printed in this volume show that nothing of the sort took 
place. Nearly all the land of the colony, till the purchase of 
Papscanee in 1637, was on the west side of the river ; and instead of 
all being bought in 1630, a part was not bought till May 163 1. In- 
stead of 20 settlers, but ten sailed for the colony in 1630, and no 
schout or magistrates were appointed till 1632, it being moreover 
doubtful whether the first sellout, Rutger Hendricksz van Soest, ever 
took the oath and held court. As to Jacob Albertsz Planck, he did 
not become schout of the colony till 1^34, and Arent van Curler, 
then 18 years of age, was sent out as his assistant in 1637. The 
truth of the matter is that the contentions between Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer and the West India Company regarding the right to the 
fur trade and the various difficulties laid in the way of transporta- 
tion of cattle ami implements by members of the board of directors 



SO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

who were opposed to the policy of agricultural colonization so 
impeded the progress of settlement that, in 1634, the patroon was 
quite ready to abandon the entire enterprise if the Company would 
pay him the price asked. The uncertainity which existed regarding 
the prospects of the colony is strikingly illustrated by the entire ab- 
sence of letters for the year 1633; at the cn ^ °f I0 34 matters seem 
to have been adjusted and from that time the affairs of the colony 
moved steadily forward. By 1636 three farms had been established 
and the patroon made arrangements to send a large number of colo- 
nists by a ship equipped at the joint expense of himself and 
Gerard de Forest. This increase in the population soon made it 
necessary to make more ample provision for the administration of 
the colony. Planck held the office of schout as well as that of com- 
mis } thus combining the chief judicial and executive office with the 
business management of the colony. In neither capacity was he 
particularly successful and in 1639 the patroon decided to make a 
change. Not finding it easy to induce " people of capacity," as he 
calls them, to accept his propositions, he for the time being en- 
trusted judicial and business matters to the joint care of three ge- 
committcerden, or commissioners, namely, Arent van Curler, Pieter 
Cornelisz van Munnickendam and Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen, 
who exercised their functions till the arrival of Adriaen van der 
Donck in 1641. Van der Donck acted in the capacity of schout till 
1646, when he was succeeded by Nicolaes Coorn, who in turn was 
replaced in 1648 by Brant van Slichtenhorst, the first director of 
the colony. Among the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts has been pre- 
served a complete record of the court presided over by van Slich- 
tenhorst till April 10, 1652, when Director General Stuyvesant es- 
tablished in Fort Orange a court of justice for the village of Bever- 
wyck, independent of that in Rensselaerswyck ; for the study of the 
powers and duties of the officers that preceded van Slichtenhorst, 
we must fall back on the instructions'contained in the present papers, 
which on that account have especial value. 

It may here be said in passing that the court of the colony, while 
it existed till 1665, when Gov. Nicolls consolidated the courts of 
Albany and Rensselaerswyck, had apparently rarely if ever occasion 
to try cases after 1652, when the principal settlement of the colony 
was erected into a village with separate jurisdiction, and that at a 
later date, when the Dutch patroonship bad been changed to an 
English manor, the practice of referring cases to the courl at Albany 
had become so firmly established that the lords of the manor never 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3 1 

seem to have cared to exercise their right to hold court leet and 
court baron, granted them b}' the Dongan patent of 1685. The 
question whether this right was actually exercised or not is of pecu- 
liar interest because it was one of the most distinct survivals of the 
feudal privileges for which the first patroon at all times fought so 
tenaciously. 

The letters of Kiliaen van Rensselaer break off abruptly in 1643. 
As already intimated above the patroon lived till 1646, and it is likely 
therefore that another letter book, containing accounts of transac- 
tions between these two dates was at one time in existence. That no 
such book is available is especially regrettable because the year 
1643 n iarks an interesting period in the history of the colony when 
owing to the fur trading privileges granted by the second charter 
of Freedoms and Exemptions many people flocked to the colony and 
the patroon was obliged to issue the most vigorous instructions 
to maintain his rights. Such a book would therefore not only have 
shown us the effect of these instructions but doubtless also have 
given us more definite information than we now possess about the 
closing years of the administration of Adriaen van der Donck and 
have thrown light on the relative importance of the settlement on 
the east side of the river where the patroon intended that all me- 
chanics should dwell and the first church should be erected. 

New Netherland history. Among matters found in the papers 
that are of interest outside of the local affairs of the colony may be 
mentioned the fact that Pavonia was bought by the Company as 
early as 1634, and not as is generally believed in 1637; the new 
light thrown on Peter Minuit whose contract for the sale of cattle, 
entirely in his own handwriting and in good Dutch though with 
distinctly German spelling, is found in the Letter Book ; side lights 
on the administration of Wouter van Twiller and Willem Kieft, 
to whom the patroon addresses a number of letters ; the fact that 
Hendrick de Forest, the supposed founder of the town of Harlem, 
did not, as stated by Riker, arrive in the fall of 1636, but in the 
spring of 1637; the confirmation of the tradition concerning the 
origin of the name of Storm van der Zee, the eldest son of Albert 
Andriesz Bradt ; and the fact that Bastiaen Jansz Krol was director 
general of New Netherland from March 1632 to April 1633, between 
the administrations of Peter Minuit and Wouter van Twiller. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer. To many people the biographical in- 
terest which attaches to the writings of Kiliaen van Rensselaer will 
seem one of the most valuable features of the collection. These 



32 new York state library 

writings indeed reveal in a striking way the personality of the man 
who figures prominently in the history of colonization as the 
founder of the only successful patroonship that ever existed in 
New Netherland, but of whom beyond the fact that he managed 
this patroonship and that he was a merchant and director of the 
West India Company hitherto practically nothing was known. The 
letters show the patroon in his relations to people of every degree, 
to men in important official positions and to his subordinates in the 
colony, to his copartners and to his various young relatives who 
owed their position to his influence; they therefore afford abundant 
opportunity for displaying his qualities of heart as well as his 
views regarding the questions of policy of government of the 
province and the immediate management of the colony. Not the 
least interesting for a view of the patroon's characteristics and the 
spirit in which he ruled the colony will be found the letters of 1640 
and 1 64 1, in which he explains to his copartners his idea of the 
patroonship and tenaciously resists all infringements of the rights 
conferred on him by the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions of 
which he appears to have been one of the principal framers. The 
question has been raised occasionally whether the first patroon ever 
came to this country. The present letters show beyond the possi- 
bility of doubt that Kiliaen van Rensselaer did not visit his colony 
in person between 1630 and 1643, and the records preserved among 
the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts make it equally certain that he 
did not do so between the last named date and his death in 1646. 
It would have been appropriate to add a portrait to this voluminous 
collection of writings of the first patroon, but unfortunately none is 
known to exist, that which is occasionally represented as his like- 
ness being clearly of about a century later than the time of the 
patroon. 

List of settlers. In view of the incompleteness of the list of 
settlers of the colony of Rensselaerswyck furnished by Mr de Roe- 
ver, who had access to the Van Rensselaer Bowier manuscripts only, 
and the many errors in the similar list published by O'Callaghan, 
whose researches were confined to the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts, 
it has seemed worth while to prepare from the two sources named an 
entirely new list, which should adequately illustrate the growth 
of the colony and furnish a reliable means of identification of the 
persons mentioned in the present papers. This list will be found 
at the end of the volume. It covers the period of settlement up 
to 1658, when the' papers in the volume strictly relating to Reus- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 33 

selaerswyck cease. The list gives in brief form as far as they 
could be ascertained the principal data as to name, date of arrival, 
occupation and place of origin of each individual settler and throws 
much new light on the large proportion of elements other than 
Dutch that entered into the population of the colony. 

Map of Rensselaerswyck. Frequent references in the patroon's 
writings to streams and tracts of land in the colony which are no 
longer known by their former names, made it seem useful to add to 
the present work a photographic reproduction of an early map of 
Rensselaerswyck on which these topographical features can be lo- 
cated. The original is among the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts. 
It is a manuscript map on parchment, 22^ by 70 inches in size, 
and represents the land along the Hudson River from Barren 
Island, just south of Coeymans, to the mouth of the Mohawk. 
Lithographic copies of the map have been published in Moulton's 
History of Nezv York, O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland and 
in Munsell's Annals of Albany. The map is without date or maker's 
name. On the strength of an entry of the payment by Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer of six rixdollars to " Gillis van Schendel, for one map 
on parchment and four ditto on paper, of the islands and other 
tillable lands situated in my colony," occurring under date of 
February 8, 1630, in a copy of an account among the Rensselaers- 
wyck manuscripts, the map is commonly ascribed to Gillis van Schen- 
del and to the year 1630, but as an inscription on the map refers 
to the purchase of land from Beeren Island to Smacks Island, which 
took place in 1631, it is evident that the entry of the payment must 
either have been placed under the wrong date or else refer to 
another map. Statements by Kiliaen van Rensselaer in a letter to 
Johannes de Laet, June 27, 1632, in a memorandum to Wouter van 
Twiller, July 20, 1632, and in a letter of same date to Dirck Cor- 
nelisz Duyster indicate that the map was probably executed in 
Holland, shortly after July 20, 1632, from rough drafts and sur- 
veys of different parts of the colony furnished at various times by 
Philips Jansz van Haerlem, Crijn Fredericksz and Albert Diete- 
rinck. Of these men very little is known. Philips Jansz van Haer- 
lem is mentioned by David Pietersz de Vries, in his Korte Historiacl, 
p. 142, as a young man whom he engaged in June 1635 to P^ ot his 
vessel from Sandy Hook to New Amsterdam and who formerly 
had been in his service in the East Indies. Crijn Fredericksz is men- 
tioned in Nicolaes van Wassenaer, Historisch Vcrhael, vol. 3, part 
12, p. 37b, under date of November 1626, as an engineer who staked 



34 NE W YORK STATE LIBRARY 

out the fort at New Amsterdam. Albert Dieterinck appears to 
have been commis at Fort Orange. 

A few features of the map call for special mention. The scale to 
which the map purports to be drawn is 1674 inches to the Dutch 
mile, or 3^ inches to the English mile. This makes the distance 
from Beeren Island to Moenemin's Castle, which on the original 
map is equal to 673/2 inches, exactly 4 Dutch miles, or the extent of 
territory allowed on one side of a navigable river by the fifth article 
of the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions. As a matter of fact, 
however, the distance between these two points is not 4 Dutch 
miles, or 18.44 English miles, but about 22V2 miles, so that the 
actual scale of the map is only 3 inches to the mile. The central 
and lower portions of the river are fairly accurately drawn, but 
the upper part is wrong. Especially puzzling is the wide creek 
designated as Rcnselaers Kill, which would seem to represent the 
Mohawk River but does not occupy the right position. Perhaps 
the most plausible explanation of this error is that the compiler, at 
about that point, joined two separate maps and, from his un familiar- 
ity with the topography of the locality, failed to connect the south 
branch of the Mohawk, indicated on the one map at the falls, with 
the outlet marked on the other map, and then, from some statement 
regarding the direction of the river, continued this outlet straight 
into the country. It will be noticed that of most creeks only the 
mouths are indicated and that of others, which are traced for some 
distance into the country, the direction bears as a rule no relation to 
the configuration of the ground, which was probably sketched in 
from some high point after the survey of the shore line and the is- 
lands had been completed. Up to 1636, but three farms existed in 
the colony. The castles faintly shown near the names of Godijns 
Burg, Renselaers Burg, De Laets Burg, etc. represent therefore no 
actual settlements, but merely indicate the places where the patroon 
intended that farms should be established. At the time the map was 
drawn, the land bought for the colony of Rensselaer swyck was al- 
most entirely limited to that on the west side of the river ; all that 
was owned on the east side was a small tract opposite Fort Orange. 
Curiously enough, the name Rensselaerswyck has been so placed 
as to cover exactly this territory belonging to the colony. 
The inscriptions at the top of the map are as follows : 
Left shield. A.° 1630 adij 28 Iulij, heeft Killiaen van Renselaer 
doen coopcn vande Natirn genaemt de Mahikans hare Landerijen 
ende Iurisdictie van dien gclcgen aende Westsijde vande Noord- 
Rievicr besnijd n ende denoorden het Fort Orangen, vol gens de beze- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 35 

gelde brieven voor Dierecteur ende Radcn der geotroijeerde West 
Indische Comp. in Nien Nederland gcpasscertdoor Cottomack ende 
Nawanemit, Abanizenc, Sagisquzva ende Kanamoack op den 8 
Augustij A° 1630. Item van Nazoanemit int particulier sijne Lan- 
derijen genaemt Semesseeck gelegen aende Oost zijde vande Rie- 
vier voorsz. tegen over het fort Orangen soo boven als beneden ende 
van Pactanock de Meulen kil noord-waerd aen tot Negagonce toe. 
Anno 1630, on the 28th day of July, Killiaen van Renselaer caused to 
be purchased from the nations called the Mahikans their lands and 
the jurisdiction thereof, situated on the west side of the North 
River, south and north of Fort Orange, according to the sealed con- 
veyance executed before the director and council of the Chartered 
West India Company by Cottomack and Nawanemit, Abantzene, Sa- 
gisquwa and Kanamoack, on the 8th of August, Anno 1630. Also 
from Nawanemit individually his lands called Semesseeck, situated 
on the east side of the river aforesaid, opposite Fort Orange, above 
as well as below, and from Paetanock, the mill creek, northward to 
Negagonce. [This description differs from that in the certificate 
of August 13, 1630.] 

Left scroll. Tegen over het Fortt op de Zuijd-Hoeck van de 
Laets Eijland is veel gevogelt te schieten van Gansz, Szvanen, End- 
vogels, Kranen ende Calcoenen, houden Boschzvaert in. Insgelijckx 
de Hertten ende ander wilt. Daer sijn oock Wolven, maer niet 
groot oft honden zvaren. Opposite the Fort, on the south corner 
of de Laets Island, many birds are to be shot, such as geese, swans, 
wild ducks and cranes, and turkeys are found in the woods. Also 
deer and other game. Wolves are found there also, but not large, 
like dog's. 

Central scroll, under the van Rensselaer arms. Op de Laets Eij- 
landt sijn veel hooge ende rechte boomen bequaem otn riemen van 
te maken, vande Maquaas canmen (principael inde Winter) Hertten 
Vleesch genoeg krijgen dat vett ende schoon is, ontrent 3, 4, oft 5 
handt Zeezvan voor een hcrt. souden geem hertten tegen melck oft 
booter ruijlen, is bequaem te roocken oft in Pekel te Leggen. On 
de Laets Island are many tall and straight trees suitable to make oars 
from. From the Maquaas (especially in the winter) plenty of 
venison can be obtained that is fat and fine; about 3, 4, or 5 hands 
of seawan for a deer. They would be glad to exchange deer for 
milk or butter. The meat is fit for smoking or pickling. 

Right scroll. Inde Vierde kill sijn snoecken ende allerleij Visch. 
de Steur isser cleijnder als bij de Manathans men kander vande 
Wilden voor een mes een koopen. In the fourth kill [designated on 



36 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the map as Bloemaerts Kill and apparently corresponding to the 
present Patroons Creek] are pike and all sorts of fish. The sturgeon 
there is smaller than at the Manathans. One can be bought from 
the savages for a knife. 

Right shield. A° 1630 den 8 April heeft Killiaen van Renselaer 
nock then koopen van Paep Sickene Komptas Noucoutamhat en 
Sickonosen have landerijen genaemt Sanckhagag streckende twee 
dagh reijsens te landivaert in van liet Beeren Eijland tot Smacks 
Eijlandt. Anno 1630, the 8th of April, Killiaen van Renselaer 
caused further to be bought from Paep Sickene, Komptas, Noucou- 
tamhat and Sickonosen their lands called Sanckhagag, stretching two 
days' journey inland, from P>eeren Island to Smackx Island. [For 
different date assigned to this transaction, see footnote to the cer- 
tificate of purchase of May 163 1.] 

The names Bijlaers Dael, Weelijs Dael, Twillers Dael and Paf- 
raets Dael, given to the respective districts on both sides of the 
river, above and below Fort Orange, commemorate the names of 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer's first wife, Hillegonda van Bijlaer; of his 
second wife, Anna van Wely; of his only sister Maria, wife of 
Rijckaert van Twiller and mother of Wouter van Twiller ; and of 
his mother, Maria Pafraet. 

For permission to reproduce the map, the editor is indebted to Mr 
William Bayard Van Rensselaer. 

In closing, the editor wishes to state that while in the present 
work it has frequently been necessary to call attention to errors in 
the work of Dr E. B. O'Callaghan, it has by no means been his 
intention to detract from the great merits of the pioneer work which 
this gentleman accomplished. In spite of many inaccuracies, 
O'Callaghan's History contains to this day the. only full account of 
the colony of Rensselaerswyck based on original sources and all 
who use it must needs be under obligation for the very material 
help afforded. The time has come however for a revision of many 
of the statements made and it is hoped that the present volume wiil 
aid in inducing some competent investigator to study the whole 
subject afresh and produce a work that will more nearly answer 
the requirements of the present time. 

The special thanks of the editor are due to his assistant. Mi- 
Peter Nelson, for most efficient aid given throughout the prosecu- 
tion of the work. Mr Nelson has read the entire manuscript and 
suggested many changes which have helped to smooth out awkward 
constructions, clear up doubtful passages and otherwise make the 

translation more readable. . _ _ T 

A. J. F. van Laer 



PREFACE TO TRANSLATIONS FURNISHED BY 
MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

In the summer of 1890 I visited Amsterdam as the guest of my 
kinsfolk, the family of the late Vice Admiral Jonkheer van Rens- 
selaer Bowier. The admiral had died a few months before, but his 
widow, born Jonkvrouwe van Beresteyn, of the ancient family of 
Bois-le-Duc, Brabant, with her three sons, made me most welcome. 
At their house, no. 91 Helmerstraat, I met the archivist of Amster- 
dam, the late Mr N. de Roever, editor of the magazine Oud Hol- 
land. To him Admiral van Rensselaer Bowier had entrusted the 
task of editing the important manuscripts inherited by the admiral 
through his mother, Sara van Rensselaer, last of her name in Hol- 
land, from her ancestor, the famous first patroon. 

In many interesting interviews, Mr de Roever outlined his idea 
of bringing these papers to public notice and a plan was formed 
whereby I was to have his writings on the subject translated into 
English and published in America. I was to study both modern 
and old Dutch and secure competent assistance. In pursuance of 
this idea, I made some individual researches and took many photo- 
graphs which were to illustrate the combined work. The sudden 
and lamented death of Mr de Roever put an end to these plans. 
We were in correspondence to the last. The van Rensselaer Bowier 
family desired me to fulfil my promise to him and it was my inten- 
tion to proceed with the publication of these papers, whatever 
might be the expense and trouble. But through the treachery of a 
false friend, the documents were purloined in Amsterdam and dis- 
appeared for over eight years, being vainly searched for until they 
finally appeared in America, where they had been pledged for a small 
sum by their abstractor, who died soon after without reclaiming 
them. These original documents have been recovered by their own - 
ers. and the publication, to which Mr de Roever so fondly looked 
forward, is now in the hands of the University of the State of New 
York. By arrangement with the Regents I have been allowed to 
fulfil my promise to my departed friend, by rendering his unfinished 
work into English to the best of my ability. 

For assistance in my studies and for valuable information, I have 
to thank the kind offices of Domine P. J. van Melle, of Nijkerk, 
Holland ; Professor A. Raap, of Hope College, Michigan ; and Miss 
Helen W. Ludlow, of Hampton Institute, Virginia. I venture to 
give the genealogically curious the following facts relating to the 
Holland branch of the van Rensselaers and the line through which 
the much talked about documents came to their present owners. 

37 



38 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Richard van Rensselaer, the fifth son of the patroon and his fourth 
by Anna van Wely, became burgomaster and treasurer of Vianen 
after his return from America, where he had played an important 
part after the death of his brother Jeremias, the director. He 
married Anna van Beaumont and died at Vianen in 1695. He had 
six sons and one daughter. They were Kiliaen, Anthonie, Jan, 
Richard, Eleanor Herberdine, Franqois and Jeremias. The daugh- 
ter married Dominus Wilhelmus Pekstok. Kiliaen, the eldest son, 
married Sara Maria Backholt, and had five sons and five daughters, 
of whom only one son and one daughter married. The son, Johan 
Baptist van Rensselaer, married Anna Cornelia de Bruyne and left 
no issue. The daughter, Anna Maria van Rensselaer, married 
Isaak Dusart. 

Richard van Rensselaer's second son, Anthonie, married Bertha 
Pekstok. They had three sons and three daughters : Richard, Cath- 
erine, Anna Elizabeth, Cornelis, William and Anthonie. All died 
young or unmarried except William van Rensselaer, who married 
Cornelia Judith Cramer, They were the parents of three sons and 
three daughters : Anthonie, Jan Jacob (died in infancy), Magdalena, 
Jan Jacob, Hendrick Willem, Richard and Bertha. Jan Jacob van 
Rensselaer married Susanna Catherina Beel isnyder and left one 
daughter, Johanna Jacoba Sara van Rensselaer, who married Jonk- 
heer Jan Bowier. She left ten children, of whom the eldest, Vice 
Admiral Marten Wilhelmus van Rensselaer Bowier, was granted by 
royal letters patent his mother's name in conjunction with his pater- 
nal cognomen, with permission to transmit the same with the arms 
of both families to his lawful heirs as van Rensselaer Bowier. 

The van Rensselaer Bowier family is therefore fully entitled to 
the name of the Holland van Rensselaers at the present day. 

The youngest son of Richard van Rensselaer, of Vianen, was Jere- 
mias, who married Elizabeth de Swaart at Nijkerk, January 18, 
1728. She was the daughter of Nelle Maria van Rensselaer (who 
was daughter of the young patroon, Johannes van Rensselaer, and 
Elisabeth van Twiller) and Johan de Swaart of Amsterdam. Jere- 
mias and his wife, Elizabeth, lived at Amsterdam and had one son, 
Richard, who married Geertruy Buytenhuys. They had four sons : 
Jeremias, Cornelius, Johan and Richard. Three died unmarried; 
the eldest, Jeremias, married Judith Henrietta Duval. He died in 
Nijkerk April 11, 1819. His three sons all died young; his wife 
survived him. In his will Jeremias van Rensselaer stated that ex- 
cept his wife he left no heirs save the family in America. It was 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 39 

true that he was the last male of his name since his second cousin, 
Jan Jacob van Rensselaer, had died not long before, but he ignored 
the fact that Jan Jacob had left a daughter, Sara van Rensselaer, 
then unmarried, who was a much nearer relative than the kinsfolk 
across the seas and who had inherited through the direct male line 
of five generations much of family interest and value from the 
elder line of Anthonie, Richard's second son, whereas Jeremias came 
from the youngest son of Richard. 

So that if the question were worth disputing, there was still a 
van Rensselaer left in Holland, albeit only a woman. From the 
alliance of the van Rensselaer and Bowier families sprang a worthy 
representative in the person of the vice admiral, who was aide-de- 
camp to the late king of Holland and enjoyed the personal friendship 
of that monarch and of his son, William, Prince of Orange, the elder 
brother of Queen Wilhelmina. • Other members of the Bowier family 
who have the blood but not the name of van Rensselaer, have 
married into the van Beusekom, van Heemstra and Sanders families, 
residing in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Hilversum. 

The Bowier family was founded in Holland by Ralph Bowyer, 
of the family of the Duke of Northumberland. He came to the 
Low Countries with the Earl of Leicester's expedition in the days 
of Queen Elizabeth. He acquitted himself bravely, married a Dutch 
lady, and his descendants, in 1815, became enrolled among the nobil- 
ity of Holland. 

Vice Admiral and Madame van Rensselaer Bowier have had five 
children, of whom Johannes Jacobus Christian Gysbertus van Rens- 
selaer Bowier died as midshipman, first class, of the royal navy; 
Cormar van Renselaer Bowier died in 1895 and Maria Clemente 
died young. The two surviving sons, Hugo Jan Jacob van Rens- 
selaer Bowier and Marten Wilhelmus Marius Magdaltis van Rens- 
selaer Bowier, are the present owners of the documents described by 
Mr de Roever in the following articles. 

Susan de Lancey van Rensselaer Strong 

" Inwood," Nezv Brunszvick, N. J. 
January 1, 1906 



40 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his colony of Rensselaerswyck i 

BY 

NICOLAAS DE ROEVER 
Late archivist of the city of Amsterdam 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Toward few men of note of our glorious past have our biog- 
raphers been so unjust as toward the merchant of Amsterdam whose 
name stands at the head of this article. Surely this is to be attrib- 
uted to the fact that, thus far, so little attention has been paid to 
the history of commerce. And it is just in this field that an im- 
portant place should be assigned to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, because 
he, being engaged in the West India trade, had not only the courage 
to found a colony on the American plains and in the woods along the 
North River and to use his capital for its welfare, but, more especi- 
ally, because he possessed energy enough to push the work once be- 
gun, notwithstanding many disappointments. 

The honor which we Hollanders, through ignorance, have denied 
him has, however, been given him in abundant measure by the 
descendants of those who were the earliest settlers of those regions. 
The memory of this citizen of Amsterdam is honored and revered 
across the ocean. American historians have already made public 
much that is worth knowing in regard to his colony, but they had 
not the means of throwing light upon his personality and upon the 
spirit in which he ruled his settlement. This is not unnatural ; it 
could appear only from his own papers, whicn were not deposited 
in any American archives because van Rensselaer remained a mer- 
chant at Amsterdam all his life and directed his New Netherland 
possessions while living at the thriving Y. Had this not been the 
case he would have had no need for employing agents, nor for giving 
them instructions, nor for writing letters, and in return they would 
have had no need to send reports and missives to the motherland 
for the information of the patroon. The archives which remained 
in his office on the Keisersgracht relating to the administration of 
Rensselaerswyck must by degrees have become important. These 
papers might perhaps have shared the fate of many private archives 
and at some time been torn up, had not first a long lawsuit with 
some of those who were entitled to a share in the territory, and 
later some no less stubborn disputes with members of the family 
kept the possessors awake to their importance. When the eigh- 



1 Printed in Dutch in Olid Holland, 1890, 8:29-54, 241-59. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 41 

teenth century dawned, however, all this was past and peace re- 
stored. 

The Dutch van Rensselaers continued to be great merchants and 
wealthy citizens, but across the sea the American relatives, to whom 
now the colony exclusively belonged, rose to the dignity of great- 
nobles, who lived like princes on their domains. Their sons were 
received with open arms in the republic, as often as they — partly 
to maintain the old bonds of blood-relationship — journeyed east- 
ward across the waves. The old papers formed thus a natural point 
of common interest. So they continued to be preserved in part, al- 
though it could not be unknown to any of their possessors that they 
had lost their practical value. 

A hundred years later, however, they had already been consigned 
to a small chest in the garret. The Dutch van Rensselaers were ex- 
tinct in the male line. One of the daughters gave her hand to a 
nobleman of an English house whose forefathers had settled in 
Holland in the middle of the seventeenth century and served with 
honor in the army of the republic. The tradition of the great de- 
serts of Kiliaen lived on in the Bozvier family, and Jonkheer M. W. 
Bozvier, later vice admiral and commandant of the navy yard at 
Amsterdam, assured the name of van Rensselaer new life by uniting 
it to his own. 

The remaining fragments of the family archives came now into 
his possession. He preserved them with reverent care for he under- 
stood their importance, although he remained a stranger to their 
contents. 

It was through a visit to him in the spring of i883 that I became 
acquainted with the little chest. He eagerly embraced my pro- 
posal to arrange and analyze these papers and willingly granted me 
the privilege of publishing such of them as I deemed fit. It grieves 
me that the estimable man has not lived to see my plans accom- 
plished, of which this article is a beginning. 2 

This little chest contained the title deed of the territory of the 
colony, 3 the Letter Book 4 of Kiliaen van Rensselaar, begun in 1634 



2 I consider it my duty to express my gratitude to his wife, the dowager Madame 
van Rensselaer Bowier, born van Beresteyn, for the kindness wherewith she left the 
papers in my care. N. de R. 

Vice Admiral van Rensselaer Bowier died in July 1889, and is buried in the family 
plot in the cemetery of Utrecht. S. de L. v. R. S. 

8 Mr Bowier thought that one of these documents was the title deed of the island on 
which New York is situated. I did not question this until afterwards, when I became 
convinced that it related to another island, located higher up in the North River. N. 
de R. 

4 Mr de Roever calls the book the Memoriaal; a full translation appears in the present 
volume. 



42 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and continued till 1643 ; the documents in the suit before the court of 
Holland, which was prosecuted after the death of Kiliaen between 
the guardians of the young patroon and some interested parties ; 
some journals, reports and printed documents, and a number of 
papers of a personal nature, which would be indeed valuable as 
data for an accurate genealogy, but which are unimportant for our 
purpose. The Letter Book and documents in the lawsuit contain 
matters concerning the enterprising Amsterdam merchant and his 
colony remarkable enough to be here mentioned. I can only give 
a few in full. The opportunity to publish many of the letters, in- 
structions and memoranda copied in the Letter Book will come- 
later. 

About three quarters of an hour southwest from Putten looms 
up on the heath of the Veluzve the Renselersberg, where in olden 
times the freemen of the " Mark " assembled to settle their common 
affairs and where also the bishop, on his visitation, was paid the 
tax out of the church property. Near this, about a quarter of an 
hour from the manorial castle of Hell, lay the estate from which 
the family, which held land there until far on in the seventeenth 
century, derived its name. They belonged undoubtedly to the 
landed gentry and seem to be of one stock with other families 
which, like them, bear the cross molin in their coats of arms. 5 

The family spread in the neighborhood of the original estate, so 
that we find in Nijkerk orphanage trustees of this name who may 
have been nearly related to our merchant of Amsterdam. 

The father of Kiliaen, Hendrick van Rensselaer Kiliaenss, 6 was 
captain of a company of foot soldiers and died June 6, 1602, at 
Ostend. In after years, Kiliaen caused a monument to be erected 
on his grave and that of his brother Johan, born at Nijkerk, who 
also was a captain and who died at Deventer, February 7, 1601, 
after having fought in Friesland. On this monument, which was in 
the last named city, Kiliaen caused to be carved the eight quarter- 
ing^ of the arms of the brothers. 7 



5 The earliest mention we have found of the name is made by Jhr. Th. van Riemsdyk, 
in his treatise, Het Veluwsche Landgericht, page 150. He cites from the proceedings 
of the Klaarbank at Englander-holt a suit between Hendrik v. Moerselaar and Alydt v. 
Renselaer circa 1450. S'. de L. v. R. S. 

8 The great-grandmother of Kiliaen, mother of the Kiliaen whose namesake he was, 
seems to have been a Luxoel. An estate of the same name still exists in the vicinity of 
Putten. N. de R. 

The great-grandmother of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the first patroon, was Derykebia 
(Dorothea) van Luxoel. S. de L. v. R. S. 

7 The monument above referred to as being in Deventer is in the old church at 
Nijkerk. It is a large double slab covering a vault. No interments have been made in 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 43 

From the marriage of Hendrik with Maria Pasraat 8 were born 
two children, Kiliaen van Rensselaar and Maria, who gave her hand 
to Ryckacrt, or Richard van Twitter. 

It was probably while Hendrik van Rensselaer lay there in gar- 
rison that Kiliaen came into the world at Hasselt in or about the 
year 1580. The death of his father, a few years later, was perhaps 
the reason that his guardian caused him to be educated as a 
merchant. No better opportunity presented itself than to bind him 
out as an apprentice, after the custom of those days, with a relative, 
who lived in the Nes near the Kleine Vleeschhal. This relative, 
Wolfert van Bijler Wijnandss, was a jeweler who had formerly 
lived in London and had now established himself, with a capital of 
nearly a hundred thousand guilders, in Amsterdam, where through 
the settlement of an entire colony of South Netherland diamond 
polishers, the trade in gems had greatly developed. In those days 
the diamond trade was nearly always combined with the trade in 



this vault since 1815. A staircase leading to the gallery has been built directly over it. 
Through the courtesy of Rev. P. J. van Melle, in August 1890, I was allowed to have 
a photographic reproduction made of the entire slab with its interesting armorial quart- 
erings. They are in a state of excellent preservation. The staircase, while hiding the 
grave so that it is nearly forgotten, has saved it from the fate of many similar memorials 
in old churches where the tread of feet for many generations has nearly obliterated 
the carving. 

The brothers were twins. Their names and rank with date and place of death are 
given in Dutch with a long Latin epitaph. There are two coats of arms at each corner, 
making eight lines of descent, with the names of the families, viz: Renselaer, Luxoel, 
Wenckom, Schoute, Indyck, Graef, Hell, Bylaer. At the top are two large coats of 
arms, with elaborate quarterings of these and other related families, and at the bottom 
the coat of arms finally adopted as his own and always used by the patroon. The crest 
is the well known burning basket and in all appears the cross of the Rensselaers. The 
Dutch and Latin mottoes of Niemand Zonder and Omnibus Effulgior do not appear. 

The Dutch inscriptions on the stone run thus: 

Den 7 Februar. 1601 starf binnen Deventer den erntvesten manhaften Hopman Johan 
Van Renselaer en alhier begraven. 

Den 6 Januar. 1602 starf binnen Oestende den erntvesten en manhaften Hopman 
Hendrick Van Renselaer en alhier begraven. 

The Latin inscription reads thus: 
D. OP. Max. S. 

Johannes et Henricus A Renselaer fratres germaniuter Que viveret turmae pedestris 
ductor ac magnis muliisque in Rempub-ac Patriam meritis clarus Me Daventriae hie 
Ostendae in statione sua ad ultimum vitae spiritus fortiter persistens oppetiit posteris 
acriterna gloria cognatis et affinibus magno sui desiderio relicto. Et licet separatis ac 
diversis locis res gerentes Mors oppresserit. Hoc tainen maiorum monumento utrumque 
componendum pietatis erga opt-Parcntum utque Patruum memor Kilianus A Renselaer — 
Henrici F. Moerens curavit. 

These words follow: Tot Memorie heeft Kiliaen Van Renselaer dit Were doen maken 
(Kiliaen Van Renselaer has caused this work to be done for a memorial). S. de L. 
v. R. S. 

8 This name is indexed in Oud Holland as Maria Pafraet, which is probably right, as 
Pafraets Dae! appears on the early map of the colony. Richard, Albert and Johannes 
Pafraet were famous 15th and 16th century printers at Deventer. 



44 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

pearls, articles of luxury and rarities of every description. The 
Dutch jewelers found a ready market for their valuable wares at 
the imperial court and the smaller German courts. 

And so we find Kiliacn, in March 1608, taking care of the busi- 
ness of van Bijlcr at Prague. When he writes to him about it, he 
takes the opportunity to impart some political news concerning the 
strained condition of affairs at that time at the court of the zealous 
Romanist, Rudolph II, the lover of pomp and art, whose dominion 
over his hereditary estates was disputed by his brother Matthias 
with such success that, but a few months later, the Austrian and 
Hungarian crowns slipped away from him, while he could retain 
the possession of Bohemia only by granting religious freedom. As 
a contemporaneous report from a well informed observer, the fol- 
lowing has its value : 

" Matters here at the court are going backward and are much 
worse than two months ago, for His Majesty is much disturbed and 
melancholy because of this Hungarian and Austrian business and 
no one dares to speak to him concerning it, fearing disfavor; where- 
fore he receives little consolation. His Majesty has taken 30,000 
ducats in specie out of his treasury and has sent Mons r de Telly 
with them 10 leagues from Vienna to enlist 1500 horse and 3000 foot 
soldiers, who have been discharged at that place, and he is enlisting 
more men everywhere; also here in Prague he has secured 500 
horse for his guard and protection, saying that he wishes to show 
that he is the Roman emperor; and His Majesty once almost de- 
termined to go to Presburg in person but is now opposed to this. 
Also the Hungarians, the Austrians, the Silesians and the Moravians 
have made a covenant and league together to the effect that peace 
with the Turks shall be observed, that the archduke Matthijas shall 
be accepted as absolute governor and that religious peace shall be 
maintained ; they have sent their envoys to England, Denmark, the 
Netherlands and other places to state that, in their opinion, these 
proceedings have not the least tendency to belittle His Majesty's 
person or reputation. They have also 24,000 men in the field, for 
Archduke Matthijas has opened the arsenals and put the arms in 
the hands of the Hungarians and has written to the Bohemians that, 
if they manifest enmity to him, he will pursue them with fire and 
sword. What will come of all this, God knows ; apparently civil 
war will follow, if matters be not speedily adjusted. God give His 
Majesty wisdom and understanding to direct this for the best. The 
Imperial Diet at Ratisbon refuses to grant any contribution, and the 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 45 

pope, the king of Spain and the other Catholic princes dissuade His 
Majesty from consenting thereto, which otherwise were the best." 

A commercial house of no less importance was owned by Johan 
pan Wely, a son of one of the sisters of Wolfert van Bijlcr. 9 He 
also, as well as his brother Willem, or Wilhelmo, who thoroughly 
understood diamond cutting and had earlier been engaged in it him- 
self, were held in high regard at the imperial court, where they 
often tarried, as well as by Prince Maurice. Kiliaen was also re- 
lated to them. 

Whether uncle van Bijlcr gradually retired from business, con- 
tinuing to keep his eye on the silk-cloth business of his wife, Anna 
Willekens, and making his nephew van Rensselaer his successor, it 
is difficult to say ; it is certain that we find Kiliaen doing business 
a few years later under the firm name Kiliaen van Rensselaer & Co. 
His partner was Jacques I'Hermite, the younger, son of the later 
admiral, who married, in 1613, Theodora van Wcly. The firms 
combined under the name of Jan van IVcly & Co. February 28. 
1614, to deal in jewels. Jan van IVclij contributed one half of the 
capital, 192,000 guilders, of which van Rensselaer had an eighth 
share. 

There is a curious clause in the contract whereby the trade in 
spices and India goods was excluded, " though the appearance of 
gain be great," if not undertaken with every one's approval. This 
shows once more to what degree the large commercial houses were 
engaged in the India trade. The contract stipulated that at the 
death of 7a/; van Wely the remaining members of the firm should 
continue the partnership entered into for six years. His murder, 
therefore, caused no change in the business, but it seems that at the 
expiration of that time, van Rensselaer at least began again on his 
own account. 

A man of, for that time, such substantial fortune, partner in a 
great commercial house, might well permit himself the luxury of 
entering the married state. On the 23d of July, 1616, we see him 
appear before the Commissioners of Matrimony to ask for the 
registration of the banns of marriage with Hillcgond van Bijlcr 
Jansdr.. then residing at Utrecht, niece of the childless Wolfert, 
who. had promised her in advance a legacy amounting to 12,000 
guilders. 

"Wolfert van Bijlcr was first married to Clara Vroeylicx, of Ghent. In 1591 he 
married Catharina Bollcs, the wealthy widow of Fabiaen de Vliet, in London, and in 
rS94 he married again at Amsterdam, Anna Willekens, widow of Thomas Hawkins, •>. 
linen draper. Their daughter Eleonora married Johan van Wclij in 1597. N. de R. 



46 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

In the same year the young husband purchased a couple of lots 
on the east side of the recently dug Kcizcrsgracht, between Hartcu 
and Wolvcn streets, on which he built a house. To occupy this 
house, on which he hung out the sign of " the Crossed Hart," he 
left his dwelling on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. 

Their happy married life lasted for nearly 10 years. Two sons, 
Hcndrik, who seems to have died in childhood, and Jehan van Rens- 
selaer, baptized September 4, 1625, in the Oudc Kcrk, were the 
fruits of this union and survived the mother, who died and was 
buried in the Oude Kerk, January 1, 1627. 10 

We have just observed how even jewelers, in the first years of 
the opening East India trade, sought to profit thereby. The prac- 
tical spirit of the Dutch merchant could not fail to point out to him 
the way to the riches of the West Indies and Africa. During the 
truce, 11 our merchants had sailed unmolested to the West Indian 
parts and received no letters of marque to take prizes from the 
enemy. Before the war began again, people realized that the West 
India trade might bring great prosperity to the country and that 
more power might be developed against the Spaniard to his greater 
damage, if thenceforth the merchant should no longer steer west- 
ward singly with his armed ship or in company with others, but if, 
after the manner of the large and prosperous East India Company, 
a company for carrying on commerce with the West Indies, Africa 
and Australia could be organized, which might, like the sister com- 
pany, act as the war-waging power in those parts and be supported 
by the treasury, ships and troops of the state. 

After long years of preparation the charter was granted, June 3, 
162 1, and the subscription list was opened. It is known that sub- 
scriptions did not come in very rapidly at first on account of the 
exclusion of the salt trade from the charter. When, however, this 
difficulty was removed, the full amount was soon subscribed. 

The Chamber of Amsterdam, " because thence came the most 
money," 12 had the largest number of directors, who were to admin- 
ister four ninths of the entire capital of the Company. There were 
20, each of whom had to contribute at least 6000 guilders. Next 
to the board of directors, there was a body of chief participants, 
each of whom had the same amount invested in the Company. They 



"'From the inscription in the burial book it is evident that Kiliaen had changed his 
signboard to conform to his coat of arms, by painting in a white cross. N. r>E R. 

There was a daughter, Maria, born of this union. She seems to have died young. 
ITcr name appears in an old family chart. S. de L. v. R. S. 

11 Twelve years' truce, 1609—21, between Spain and the United Netherlands. 

l - Resolutions of Holland and West Friesland, Sept. 30, 1621. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 47 

took no part in the daily management, yet, as the representatives 
of the stockholders, no resolutions of any importance could be taken 
without them. The annual report and accounts were also submitted 
to them. In due time the stockholders were granted a permanent 
representation in the board of directors by the stipulation that the 
first two vacancies should be supplied from the ranks of the chief 
participants. 13 

The first chief participant who was thus received into the Cham- 
ber was Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 1 * From this it appears at once 
that he was included, at the first subscription, among those who, 
comprehending the vital importance of the matter, had subscribed 
at least 6000 guilders. That his fellow stockholders were satisfied 
that they could entrust their interests to no better person, their con- 
fidence in him evinced ; furthermore, he was generally known and 
reported as an unusually clear-headed man, an able and practical 
merchant, who did not limit himself to his own branch of trade. 

Unfortunately we are only able to judge of his position in the 
important matters considered in the meetings from a single docu- 
ment of his own authorship, written a few years after the organ- 
ization of Rensselaerswyck. This memorial was presented by him 
to the directors November 25, 1633. I shall give it hereafter as an 
appendix. 15 It is noteworthy as a document for the history of the 
Company, both because from it we learn what interests were to be 
subdued before the Company decided to establish a colony in New 
Netherland and because we find in it the reason for the partial 
monopoly of the fur trade and the organization of colonies under 
patroons. 

From it we learn to know van Rensselaer as the man who pro- 
posed to curtail the fur trade, in order that the Company might con- 
tinue to draw profit from it, which they would lose in case the 
supply of skins should become too great and the animals should be 
killed off too fast by the hunting of the savages ; also as the man 
who, in connection therewith, made the plan to colonize New 
Netherland, not by hunters but by farmers, and in this manner to 
make of it, as it were, a station for ships from the West Indie? 



'- 1 Amplification of the charter of the W. I. Co., Feb. 13, 1623. N. de R. This refer- 
ence is erroneous; the provision that the first two vacancies should be supplied from tht 
ranks of the chief participants is found in art. 6 of the Agreement between the directors 
and chief participants, June 21, 1623, printed on p. 126-35. 

14 Agreement between the directors and chief participants, June 21, 1623. art. 6, ir 
connection with the list of directors in de Laet's Jaerlijck Vehael van de Vcrricliting'mn 
der W. I. C. N. de R. 

tt Printed on p. 235—50 of this volume. 1 



48 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and Brazil, where supplies of grain, cattle and provisions might 
be obtained instead of returning for them to the mother country. 
The Company would thereby be relieved of the great expenses con- 
nected with a direct transportation of such indispensable articles to 
these distant countries, which cost was not met by the profits of the 
fur trade. He predicted that they would be obliged to abandon 
New Netherland if this course were not adopted. However logic- 
ally this plan may have been conceived, there were many even 
among the directors who drew great profits just from the freighting 
of the outgoing ships laden with all kinds of commodities for which 
there was demand in the West Indies and Brazil ; and who, esteem- 
ing their personal gains higher than the welfare of the Company, 
pitted themselves against the plans of van Rensselaer. When, how- 
ever, he succeeded in gaining the favor of the majority and in 
causing a number of farmers to emigrate to the island Manhattas, 
the minority found pleasure in being able to point out the fact that 
matters in the new farming colony did not proceed as desired. 
They tried to make van Rensselaer suffer for this and at the same 
time to force the abandonment of the Company's system already 
adopted. They succeeded so far in this that van Rensselaer and his 
fellow commissioners having special care of the affairs of New 
Netherland were obliged to take upon themselves the colonization 
without expense to the Company, which they said they were not 
disinclined to do, provided the Company would grant them Free- 
doms. 10 

Without allowing their own profit to have the strongest influence, 
they wished to extend the chance for gain to each individual stock- 
holder. The greater the number of colonies started, the better. 
This was to the interest of the Company. The minority, not in- 
tending to allow the future patroons to pluck the fruits which the 
colonies promised, haggled over the Freedoms drafted by the latter 
and even desired that the fur trade should be monopolized by the 
Company, which had not been the case heretofore. The majority, 
however, did not consent to this and adopted propositions more 
favorable to the patroons. The amount of opposition which fan 
Rensselaer was obliged to endure from this minority is summed 
up in the memorial in detail. The fall of Zivanendal and the fail- 
ure of other colonies are therein explained. 



10 On March 28, 1628, the Freedoms and Exemptions were first established. They 
were, however, so limited that those who had felt inclined now declared themselves indis- 
posed to organize colonics on that basis and urged other measures. After much consulta- 
tion more favorable conditions were given, on June 7, 1629. See Appendix A [p. 235-50 
of this volume]. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 49 

The above facts are enough to teach us to respect the merchant 
who so justly apprehended the needs of the Company. 

It was in the midst of the strife of these opinions, about a year 
after the death of his wife, that, on the 14th of December 1627, 
in the Nieuive Kerk, he married Anna van Wely, daughter of his 
former partner, Jan van Wely, and related to himself as well as 
to his former wife. We know that the court jeweler of Prince 
Maurice was very rich. Anna, who had three brothers, undoubtedly 
bore quite a fortune with her to the altar, which, though she wedded 
with marriage settlements, served to enlarge the business capital 
of her husband, as did also the inheritance which Kiliacn, as well as 
both his wives, received from uncle van Bijlcr. 

In the meantime our jeweler seems to have conceived the idea 
of bringing into cultivation the waste lands of his native country. 
While, on the one hand, in the United Provinces people were gain- 
ing fertile fields by diking in and draining pools and lakes of every 
description, there were others who expected far more profit from 
the reclamation of the heaths. In 1619, Dom Emanuel, prince of 
Portugal, endeavored to obtain a patent from the States of Holland 
for the reclamation of the heaths and woodlands of Gooiland. 16 * 
After that had been refused him, advocate Ingels and his partners 
had better success and began in 1625 the laying out of 's Graven- 
land. 

Whether Rensselaer also came under the influence of the spirit 
of the age, it is certain that in 1620 he began the cultivation of 
some heath lands in the Gooi, which he continued after he had be- 
come the owner, June 16, 1628, of the estate Crailo, near Huisen, 1 " 1 
to which he added a large stretch of mostly unreclaimed land. So, 
at any rate, we are informed by Jan Jeremias van Rensselaer, 
known as a poet in the second half of the last century, in his 
Kraillo Hofdicht (1770). 

To the original success which rewarded his reclamation of the 
Sandy, by no means tractable, soil of the Gooi, may be attributed the 
fact that he could discern no difficulty in beginning on a very large 
scale an agricultural undertaking on the almost virgin fields and 
plains of New Netherland, when, as we have already observed, the 
Company decided according to the second article of their charter 
'' to promote the peopling of those fruitful and unsettled parts," 

"" District in the southeastern part of the province of North Holland, comprising the 
city of Naarden and the villages of Blarikum, Bussum, 's Graveland, Ililversum, 
Huizen. J.aren and Muiderberg. 

17 Communicated by Mr A. N. J. Fabiits, archivist of Naarden. N. de R. 



50 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to allow the colonizing to be done by private enterprise, retaining 
only that of the island Manhattan purchased in 1626 from the 
natives. 

In the resolution for the organization of colonies by private indi- 
viduals, it was stipulated 18 that those who had declared themselves 
disposed thereto, might send two persons thither to examine the 
country. On January 13, 1629, the directors, Samuel Godijn, 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Samuel Blommaert, had already re- 
quested that it be noted that, as they intended to plant colonies, they 
would send Gilles Houset, sailor, and Jacob Jan-sen, cooper, to New 
Xetherland, in order to report what they should find. The follow- 
ing directors presented themselves successively as patroons : Michiel 
Pauzv van Achttienhovcn, over the region bordering on the river 
Sickcnames (June 7) ; Godijn, the region bordering on the west 
side of the South River (June 29) ; Pauzv again, the island Fer- 
nando Moronho (October 15) ; Albert Coenraetsz Burgh, the island 
of St Vincent (October 22) ; Burgh again, the region on the east 
side of the bay of the South River, over against Godijn (November 
1, 1629) ; Blommaert, the region on the Fresh River, which he im- 
mediately christened Blommaerts River (November 16) ; Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, the region on the North River above and below Fort 
Orange on both sides of the river, including the islands therein, and 
downwards as far as was resolved by the Assembly (November 
19) ; Pauzv again, a region on the North River westwards including 
Machackinachoors land and the Hamclshoofden on the east side 
(January 10, 1630) ; ia Blommaert again, one of the islands, St. 
Martin or Barbados (April 17) ; Godijn again, the island Toriugo 
(August 28, 1630) ; van Rensselaer again, the island du Sable, 43 ° 
or 44 north (November 7). All these persons sat as commis- 
sioners for New Netherland affairs. 

In the Chamber of Zealand, six persons declared themselves as 
patroons: Johan dc Moor, for Tabago and the territory of the 
Amazon; Abraham van dc Pcrrc, for Bcrbice; Claude Provost foi 
Cajana; Jan van Ricn for Ouaro, and Jan van der Goes for 
Esscquebo. 

We must how inquire what conditions the Company had granted 
that caused the aforesaid persons to decide to undertake the coloniz- 
ing of these partly inhabited, partly wild, lands. 



18 This stipulation was repeated in art. i of the Freedoms and Exemptions. N. de R. 
''The bounds of the colony of Pavonia as here given are incorrect. See registration 
of the colony on p. 158. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 51 

The patroons agreed each to send 50 persons, above the age of 
15, to their respective dominions within four years after their ap- 
plication as patroons. The concession would lapse in case this 
condition were not fulfilled. The patroons of the colonies on the 
North River recognized the staple-right of the Company on the 
island Manhattas and the monopoly of the fur trade in those regions 
where the Company had commisen. 20 They declared that they would 
abstain from the weaving of woolen, linen and cotton goods. 

They were also under obligation to purchase of the natives those 
lands which belonged to them and were within the bounds of the 
colony, as the Company itself, and to collect funds for the support 
of a minister and schoolmaster, and finally they were to conform to 
a general scheme of government to be framed by the Nineteen. 

Over against these obligations, truly not severe, stood far-reach- 
ing rights of deep significance. 

Of the whole dominion assigned to them, which they might ex- 
tend, if they chose, to four leagues along the coast or along one 
side of a river and two leagues along both sides of such a river, 
and as far inland as the situation would allow, and which they 
might exchange for another if it proved little adapted for colonizing 
and farming, the patroons would be sole proprietors, as also of 
whatever the land might prove to contain, such as mines, marble 
quarries, precious stones and metals. Over this dominion, which 
they should hold as a perpetual fief from the Company, they should 
have jurisdiction in optima forma, including power of capital pun- 
ishment, save for appeal to the director and councilors in New 
Netherland in matters above 50 guilders, and should also have the 
right of appointing magistrates. Further they should possess all 
manorial privileges, the rights of hunting, fowling and fishing, and 
the right of the wind. The colony first settled on a river or on 
an island should have control ; while later colonies could appoint 
councilors to manage affairs relating to the common welfare. 

The colonists, and the wares which they might desire to bring 
over, would be carried going and coming by the ships of the Com- 
pany at a moderate tariff. Cattle and farm implements would be 
conveyed without any charges. In case there were no ships ready, 
the patroons might use their own vessels, provided they took on 
board an officer of the Company, bearing the title of "assistant." 



-"Klsewhere this trade was free, but the Company taxed each skin, whether of beaver, 
otter or mink at the rate of one guilder. The importation of beaver and otter skins 
amounted in 1624 to 4700; in 1625 to 5758; in 1626 to 8130; and in 1627, when the 
average value had dropped from six guilders to 1.60 guilders, to 7890. N. de R. 



52 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

They might trade along the entire American coast from Florida 
to Newfoundland if, on returning with their cargo, they recognized 
the staple-right of the Company by the payment of five per cent on 
the goods which were to be shipped to Holland. The cod fishery 
was excepted. They might ship the entire catch directly to neutral 
lands under the supervision of a supercargo of the Company. Of 
prizes taken from the enemy they were to enjoy two thirds and the 
Company the rest. The colonists were not required to pay any 
import duties whatever to the Company for the first ten years. The 
Company was not to deprive the patroons of any of their settlers 
and was even to seize and deliver up those who had run away. The 
Company also promised protection against civil and foreign 
enemies ; for which purpose it would strengthen the fort at the 
Manhattas; while it would also provide the patroons with as many 
negroes as possible, without, however, being bound thereto. 

To the supreme government in New Netherland, consisting of 
director and council, the colonies along each river and on the islands 
might [each] send an agent to care for the common interests. This 
board must further be kept informed by a detailed annual report 
of the condition of each colony. 

This constitution for the patroonship regulated the affairs in New 
Netherland largely in the spirit of the middle ages, which in the 
fatherland still spoke in the feudal system. The patroons were 
mighty vassals who were represented before the lieutenant of the 
feudal lords by their ambassadors, the agents, and granted their 
own fief in mesne tenure to the colonists. It does not surprise us 
at all, therefore, that so many desired to establish themselves in the 
New World as potentates of such importance. It would appear, 
however, to have been by no means an easy task. 

The minority of which I have just spoken had, on the ratification 
of the Freedoms, succeeded in gaining, besides the restriction of 
the fur trade, still another clause by means of which it was possible 
for others than the patroons, though on a much smaller scale, to 
become owners of land in the new colony. 

Tn distinction from the colonists or colonizers, such immigrants 
were called freemen or free merchants. Whoever desired to em- 
bark for New Netherland in this capacity could obtain there from 
the director and council what land they chose and as much as they 
could cultivate, provided they remained at a distance of eight 
leagues from the colonies of the patroons. They were also allowed 
to engage in fishing and to establish salt works, and would enjoy 
the protection of the Company. 



VAN RENSSELAER BQWIER MANUSCRIPTS 53 

That must have encouraged all those who felt themselves in- 
clined to the state of colonists and were without means and without 
any credit with their more wealthy friends. Every one who could 
simply pay his passage and was able to supply himself with the 
most necessary articles was promised, by the prospect of land- 
holding in the New World, a certain prosperity which he could not 
expect to attain in his native land. 

Not a few offered themselves to go as freemen far across the sea. 
The patroons, however, had apparently some trouble in enlisting 
the required number of colonists, so that the failure of the pro- 
jected colonies may in part be attributed to this fact. 

That van Rensselaer knew how to meet these difficulties is du* 
undoubtedly to his earnest perseverance and energy, perhaps also 
to the more liberal conditions of his grant, but surely also to the 
more favorable circumstances which gave him an advantage over 
the other patroons. 

Owner of extensive lands in the sandy Gooi and, moreover, of 
family estates in the not much more fruitful Veluwe, 20 * where num- 
bers of relatives were landowners and struggled to subsist on 
meager means, his agents needed to employ but little persuasion 
to induce some Gooicrs and Velawcrs to migrate to more fruitful 
regions where the battle with the soil for subsistence would be less 
severe. We should also not lose sight of the fact that he might 
depend on the indirect support of his nephew W outer van Twiller, 2 * 
who had been appointed director of New Netherland in 1632, and 
with whom he engaged in friendly correspondence at a time when, 
in the fatherland, the directors opposed the patroons in every way. 

The report of the agents sent out had not been unfavorable. 
They had selected for van Rensselaer an extensive domain on both 
sides of the North River in the vicinity of Fort Orange, which ex- 
tended 24 miles in length, 40 miles in breadth and covered a surface 
of 700,000 bunders. 22 Since 1625, no colonists lived in or near the 
fort. The location was chosen with care with regard to the fort, 
because in case of danger it would be a sure point of defense and 



- 0& Northwestern part of the province of Gelderland. 

21 Van Twiller was the son of Maria, the sister of Kiliaen. N. de R. 

22 The statement is apparently taken from O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 
IM24; the miles are English miles and Mr de Roever has erroneously used bunder, 
equivalent to two acres, as translation of acre. Elsewhere, when miles are referred to 
by Mr de Roever, Dutch miles are meant and the word has been translated leagues. 
O'Callaghan's statement, while fairly describing the extent of the colony under the 
patent of Nov. 4, 1685, does not agree with the facts in 1632. As explained in a foot- 
note on p. 167, the land embraced by the first two purchases of Aug. 13, 1630, and 
May 163 1 was almost entirely on the west side of the river. 



54 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

retreat and its garrison would be very likely to inspire the natives 
with awe and fear, sufficient to restrain them from attacking the 
colonists, certain as they might be of being pursued by the soldiers 
who were well armed, though few in number. In this manner van 
Rensselaer employed the troops of the Company more or less as 
coadjutors to his colonizing plans. Moreover, he would derive 
profit from provisioning the garrison of over 25 men. He estimated 
their annual support at 100 guilders per capita. Furthermore, the 
fort would become an easily reached market place for the colonists, 
where they could maintain communication with the outer world. He, 
therefore, ever exerted himself to maintain friendly relations with 
the commander of the garrison and the authorities within the walls. 
Little could he suspect that just from this source, through altered 
relations, all manner of unpleasantnesses and difficulties would arise. 

His first act must now be to obtain possession of the land for his 
. colony from the Mahikans, the original owners, who had never been 
willing to sell their territory, not even the ground of Fort Orange. 
After they had been involved, through the instrumentality of the 
commis Daniel van Kriekenbeek, in a bloody war with their neigh- 
bors, the Maquas, and were defeated in 1629, they were found ready 
to dispose of their possessions. 

Two officers of the West India Company in Fort Orange, Bas- 
tiacn Jans.z Crol and Dirk Cornells? Dnyster, specially empowered 
thereto by writing of January 12, 1630, purchased the following 
April 23 a large tract of land on the west side of the river. We 
learn from this writing how this was to be done. They were to 
make payment to the chiefs in the presence of the whole nation, in 
merchandise which they should purchase for his account from the 
Company, and the deed should be acknowledged by the chiefs at the 
Manhattans in the presence of the director and council. Van Rens- 
selaer gave his preference for flat timberless land, of which they 
should purchase as much as they could obtain as far as five leagues 
on both sides of the fort. 24 

Honsset increased this territory, in August, by tracts of land on 
the right bank, located above and below Fort Orange, and also by 
land on the east side of the river. It was also extended by deeds 
of purchase of May 1631 and April 13, 1637. 

The good understanding between the patroons of the Amsterdam 



28 M. de Roever here follows O'Callaglian, who erroneously refers to the purchase of 
1631 as occurring in April 1630. The date of the certificate is May 1631, which is given 
by Mr de Roever as that of a distinct purchase. Cf. note on p. 182. 

24 Cf. note on p. 159. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 55 

Chamber left nothing to be desired; Burgh, Godijn, Blommaert and 
van Rensselaer, before signifying to the directors their willingness 
to start colonies, made an agreement to work the projected colonies 
on joint account, each under the direction of one of them. 25 The)/ 
could, in consequence, soon register such of their colonies as they 
had made preparations to establish. 26 Three persons should each 
have a one fifth share in each colony, while the fourth should re- 
ceive the remaining two fifths, take the responsibility for its man- 
agement and exercise the rights of patroon. 27 The patroons were 
to act in concert, with this understanding, that the managing patroon 
had the disposal of all sums amounting to less than 2000 guilders, 
while a majority of votes was required for sums up to 4000 
guilders, with unanimity regarding expenditures above the latter 
figures. 

On account of the disputes between the directors and the patroons, 
the colony under the management of Blommaert " was not started 
but remained at a standstill " while those under Godijn and Burgh, 
" after the work had been begun," were " finally sold to the West 
India Company." 28 

Only the colony which was managed by van Rensselaer continued 
to exist under the patroons. His share in this, as we have said, 
amounted to two fifths. He successively purchased from the heirs 
of Godijn, among whom were Jacob and Hendrik Trip, the latter's 
share, so that he soon became the owner of three fifths. The two 
other shares remained, partly in the hands of Blommaert and partly 
in the hands of others, Adam Bessels, Johannes de Laet and Tous- 
saint Muyssaert, the last two being in the place of Burgh, so that 
ultimately each of them owned one tenth. 

It goes without saying that each colony depended upon its man- 
ager, who must, in the first place, comply with the stipulations of 
the Company. In accordance with one of these, 12 or 13 colonists 
must be transported to Rensselaerswyck before the 19th of No- 
vember, 1630. There seems to have been some difficulty in se- 
curing even this number, and when they were found and had ratified 



25 Pauw did not enter into this agreement for his colony Pavonia. There is nothing, 
however, to mark any unfriendly relation with the other patroons. N. de R. 

20 See Appendix A [p. 235—50 of this volume] in regard to the fate of Tortuga, the 
colonies on the bay of the South River, and the proposed colony on the island du Sable. 
N. de R. 

2T In the beginning they seem to have had another division, to which a contract, dated 
Oct. 1, 1630, refers. N. de R. 

28 The cause of this is explained by van Rensselaer in the Memorial, Appendix A 
[p. 235-50 of this volume]. 

The colony Pavonia is not considered in this account. N. de R. 



56 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the notarial contract by signature and mark, and some times even 
the co])y in the Letter Book of the patroon, and had received their 
advance, it often happened that even then some would desert when 
the. lighter was about to depart. 

An agricultural colony without cattle was an impossibility. It 
required careful planning to provide the cheapest way of transport- 
ing animals in order to enable the colonists to engage in farming. 
"If I can get no animals, I shall not succeed in bringing over 50 
persons," exclaimed van Rensselaer in one of his letters. 29 He had 
thus to be constantly on the lookout to obtain them wherever he 
could. The transportation of cattle proved extremely expensive and. 
little effective, since, not to mention the loss on shipboard, many 
died in their new home. The Company, though bound by the Free- 
doms to allow the carrying of cattle, did not make this easy for the 
patroons and only provided stalls for the cattle on deck. We 
willingly believe that they needed the entire hold for their own 
cargoes. 

Van Rensselaer now, with true merchant shrewdness, made use 
of a defect in the conditions under which the colonists of the Com- 
pany had settled on the island of Manhattans. He caused Rutger 
Hendrikss, from Soest, 30 one of his colonists, to rent one of the eight 
farms at that place; took upon himself the payment of the Com- 
pany's equity ; ordered the land, which had not yet been cultivated, 
to be farmed ; and assumed the payment of the sum in lieu of which 
the farmer, after the lapse of six years, would have become owner 
of the four horses and the cattle (4 cows, 2 heifers, 6 sheep and 6 
hogs, which had been provided by the Company for each farm), 
with the result that the Company could not prevent him from trans- 
porting these animals to his colony. At the same time he made a 
contract with Wolfert Gen-its, 1 :., from Amcrsfoort, a colonist at the 
Manhattans, who was temporarily in the fatherland, binding him to 
settle during a few months of each year at Rensselaerswyck, in order 
to plant and sow, and at the same time, whenever young cattle were 
offered for sale in New Netherland, to buy them on his account. 
Together with Wolfert and Rntger emigrated Brant Pcclen, from 
Nijkerk, Roelof Jansz, from Maasterland, 31 the latter like Rutger, 



-'•' Letter to van Twiller, July 27, 1632 [p. 229-34I. N. df. R. 

30 See introduction p. 27 for statement regarding form of names used in the prepara- 
tion of this volume. 

al In the Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, in the Rensselaerswyck Mss and in the N. Y. 
Col. Mss, invariably written Mastcrlant, Masterlandt or Masterland; not Maasterland or 
Macsterland, as spelled by Mr de Roever and other writers. Maesterland occurs ii. 
Groot Placaet Bocck, 1:724, 726, 741, 2384, 2396, 2438 and 8:1248, in connection with 
the herring fishery and has reference to Marstrand, on a small island off the coast of 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 57 

as farmer on one of the projected farmsteads, a number of farm 
hands and a shepherd for the 13 sheep, which were entrusted to 
their care during" the voyage. 

Since, as it appears, more cattle were transported by the Com- 
pany than they needed on their eight farms, he agreed with Michicl 
Painv that each should take half of them. Thus again he obtained 
eight horses and seven cows. He brought about all this in Jan- 
uary 1630. 

Now he must think about establishing farmsteads. Under the 
direction of Wolfert and the supervision of Bastiaen Crol, commis 
at Fort Orange, the first farm was to be laid out ; and with the 
assistance of the laborers of the Company, who were put at his 
disposal by the director Pietcr Minuijt for compensation, houses, 
barns, hay-barracks, sheep-cotes and also a boat were to be built 
and bricks and tiles baked. * 

In a short time two were ready, viz, Rensselaer sburg and Lacts- 
burg. It seemed that the affairs of the patroon and his colony were 
well launched. The good understanding between him and the local 
authorities in New Netherland who naturally followed the orders 
of their superiors, the directors in the fatherland, conduced strongly 
to this end. 

In January 1631, he sent Man' 11 us Adriacnsz, from Vccrc, with 
some assistants as tobacco planters, and in July of the same year 
Laurens Laurcnsz, from Kopenhaven, was sent, with another North- 
man, to run the sawmill and grist-mill ; also a number of laborers 
and eight or ten calves. 

Now let us see what terms he offered to his colonists. That 
he did not value each individual equally goes without saying. The 
persons whom he appointed as managers of the farmsteads or 
farmers received during two or three years before the farm could 
be considered to be in good working order, 150 to 180 guilders. 
The patroon defrayed the expense connected with the farm and pro- 
vided cattle, wagons and implements, besides .farm hands who re- 
ceived from 40 to 90 guilders and a boy whose hire amounted to 
from 25 to 40 guilders, and these, during the time of their contract, 



Sweden, near Goteborg. (See Woordenboek der Nedcrlandsche fan!, 5 12210; map of 
Denmark in John Speed, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain . . . with a pros- 
pect of the most famous parts of the world, London 1676; and Paskaert van t' Schager 
Rak . . . door C. J. Voogt, Gcometra, 't Amsterdam by Ioanncs van Keulen 
[17 10]). If, as may be presumed, Masterland is the same as Maesterland, it is interesting 
to note that Roelof Jansz as well as his wife, the well known Anneke Jans — whose 
mother, Trijn Jonas, appears in a fragment of an account of New Amsterdam, 1639, 
among the Renssclacrswyck Mss, as Trijn Jonas van Mastcrlanld] — were probably not 
Dutch, but Swedes. 



58 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

usually three to four years, received an annual raise of from 10 
to 20 guilders and board, which was paid by the patroon. In the 
beginning they were to do everything needed as well as they could 
with the help of the workmen of the Company. When the farm 
was once in full swing, then other regulations came in force. The 
clear gains, after deducting the wages of the farm hands, were di- 
vided biennially between the patroon and the tenant. The former 
remained owner of the cattle but their increase was again divided. 
With the animals thus obtained, the patroon could start a new farm, 
while he could purchase the tenant's half of the cattle according to 
the Company's tariff and the crops according to market price at 
the Manhattans. The mechanics who emigrated as colonists re- 
ceived about as much as the masters of the farms but were to be 
lodged by them and their board was charged to the patroon. When- 
ever they were employed by others, the patroon was to receive one 
half of their earnings. Some of the colonists were to pay their own 
passage ; the less important as a rule, not. Small advantages in the 
shape of advance money and presents were enjoyed by all. It is 
interesting to note that the terms became gradually more favorable 
to the colonists. I mention here only the contracts of the first years. 

Between 1630 and 1632 he transported to Rensselaerswyck on 
these terms, in the first year 10 and in the two succeeding years 12 
persons, not counting children. About one third came from the 
Gcoi and the Veluwe. A few were secured on the Manhattans, 
where might always be found people whose contracts had expired 
or who had not succeeded, and some negroes naturally belonged to 
the number. 32 

The relations between the directors of the Amsterdam Chamber 
and the patroons, however, gradually became less favorable for 
the latter. I have already spoken of the minority who were op- 
posed to the colonization. They alleged that the patroons' aim was 
to monopolize the fur trade and thus to injure the Company. The 
falsehood of this charge is clearly shown by the nature of the colony 
of ran Rensselaer, and furthermore by the contracts made with 
the colonists, which prohibited the fur trade. He writes on July 20, 
1632, to Duystcr, " I have forbidden my people the fur trade ; al- 
though, according to the fifteenth article of the Freedoms, I have 
as much right as others, yet I have done this in order to avoid dis- 
pute with the Company." 33 Notwithstanding the honest inten- 



82 In Appendix D, I give a list of the persons sent by the patroon to his colony until 
[634. N. i>e R. See statement in introduction, p. 32, regarding this list. 
3:1 See p. 216. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 59 

tions of Kiliaeu, the minority increased. It appears that they found 
their spokesman in Marcus de Vogclaer, and that among others 
his side was supported hy the directors Cornells Bicker, Guiliani 
Bartolotti, Hcndrik Broen, Hendrik Hauiel, Marcus van Valcken- 
burgh, Simon van dcr Does and Abraham Oyens. On account of 
the biennial retirement of one third of the directors of the Amster- 
dam Chamber, a temporary change took place in the management. 34 
The minority suddenly grew to a majority and meant to make their 
influence tell. 

At the Manhattans, the Company's young colony, matters were 
not going as well as might be wished. This the opponents of the 
colonization ascertained, but the Company had already gone too far 
to abandon the colony. 

Colonial progress was crippled by the bad relations among the 
local authorities. They neglected the Company's interests in mu- 
tual disputes.' 15 The factions each found their sympathizers at Am- 
sterdam. The director Pieter Minuyt, who had gradually gained 
the patroons' friendship, 30 was now worsted by the intriguing secre- 
tary, Johan van Retnunde. supported by de Vogelaer, who had be- 
come commissioner for New Netherland affairs, and his party. 
The secretary had reported so many grievances, both true and false, 
in his letters, that the directors seemed to judge it advisable to hear 
him and, at the same time, a number of their officers, who under 
the circumstances may well have apprehended that their summons 
was the precursor of the discharge awaiting them in the fatherland. 
This happened about the middle of 163 1. The party of van Rens- 
selaer had still influence enough to bring about the promotion a^ 
director in the place of Minuyt, of the comniis at Fort Orange, 
Bastiacn Crol, whom we have learned to know as the patroon's 
agent. 

In the meantime, while months passed in hearing and rehearing 
the recalled officers, Kiliaen was contending with difficulties of every 
kind in Rensselaerswyck. One of his two new farmsteads was 
burned; Marinus, the tobacco planter, seemed none too well fitted 
for his task ; his colonists had needed so much grain for their own 
use that one farm lacked winter seed, and besides, his account with 
the Company for goods delivered had become very heavy. But he 



34 Van Rensselaer appears also in 1631 to have resigned as director. N. de R. 

35 The letter (given as Appendix B \p. 169-70 of this volume]) from Simon Dirkss 
Pos, colonial councilor, to van Rensselaer is important for the knowledge of matters there. 
N. de R. 

M Above mentioned letter to van Twiller. N. de R. 



60 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

could surmount all these hindrances, since, from the reports ren- 
dered, he perceived that the fields promised abundant harvests 
and, although he had been obliged to abandon the idea of building 
a sawmill, his grist-mill would be the only one in all New Nether- 
land. If his cattle were to furnish dairy products sufficient for his 
own use and that of the garrison at the fort, there would not be 
many animals left for slaughter, hut this difficulty would be [more 
than] met by the natives who would gladly barter for dairy products 
such large quantities of venison that his colonists [after supplying 
their own wants] would have enough to smoke and salt it and make 
of it an article of merchandise at the Manhattans. 

The patroon's endurance was. however, to be still more severely 
tested. Remunde had won his suit before the directors. He re- 
turned to the new fatherland in his old dignity. Crol, who seems 
also to have given cause for dissatisfaction, although, as we shall 
see, he had served the interests of the Company, as he understood 
them, in opposition to those of van Rensselaer, was recalled and 
Wouter van Twiller, chiefly because advocated by Burgh, Read and 
de la Myne. was appointed in his stead. Though this appointment 
could not but be agreeable to the patroon, his uncle, he must have 
been less pleased that Dirk Cornelisz Duysier, commis at Fort 
Orange, was to make room for an instrument in the hands of his 
adversaries, Hans Joriss HitntJuun, a man who had traded with the 
natives at that place in former years, and who, by a shameful cruelty 
committed on one of the chiefs, had made himself much hated by 
the Maquas? 1 

The disputes were not checked by this appointment; but other 
combatants appeared in the lists, which were now opened anew at 
the Manhattans, to the injury of the Company's affairs. 

On his side the patroon again availed himself of favorable cir- 
cumstances. Pieter Minnyt, who had grievances enough against 
the Company, agreed in July 1632 to sell him a number of his cattle; 
the rest were to remain on his farm, of which van Twiller took 
possession. Pieter Bijlvelt, one of the recalled councilors, did the 
same. They both wrote the agreements in the Letter Book of van 
Rensselaer with their own hands. The purchase of the whole in- 



37 Ihmthum was undoubtedly a brother of the Founder of the family of the same name 
at Amsterdam, which became later very important through the fur trade, ami a branch 
of which built the house. ,/<• Bonte Mantel, on the Heerengracht, later occupied by the 
Blind Institute, lluv.thum was already, before the charter of the W. I. C, a licensed 
trader in and about those regions. He caused one of the chiefs of the tribe of the 
M aquas to be put to death by emasculating him. 

Deposition June ,10. 1634, before Notary J. v. J. Ven 1 p. 302I. N, de K. 



VAN RENSSELAER JJOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 6 1 

ventory of the farm of Bijlvelt soon followed and van Twiller 
agreed to make over a few more animals to the patroon. At the 

same time, he gained a skilful colonist in the person of G err it 
Theusz dc Reus, who had previously managed a farm on the Man- 
hattans, and transferred all his cattle, for which the patroon as- 
sumed the payment due the Company. When, however, the news 
Ot this agreement reached the then director, Crol, he did not con- 
sider himself justified in letting the cattle go without the consent 
of his principals. The opponents of Kiliacn, also, could not per- 
ceive the desirability of the zealous patroon's measures. Many 
were jealous of him, so that only after two years, when these evil 
days were past, did he, hy means of a notice served on the directors, 
succeed in moving them to recognize his right. 88 

From the standpoint of the directors, who must have seen with 
reluctance the subtraction of cattle from their colony, their long 
refusal was certainly intelligible, but as a retaliatory measure from 
the patroon's side, his course might be defended. 

With this addition to his herd, strengthened also by the importa- 
tion of some calves, the patroon might have been able to start three 
new farms in his colony : Wcclysburg and Blommaertsburg, which 
were to be occupied by Brandt Pcclcn and Gerrit dc Rons, and 
Godynsburg. Now it seems that they were first begun in 1034. 
when he was again contemplating the starting of a new farm in the 
immediate neighborhood of Fort Orange. 

The affairs of the other patroons, in which van Rensselaer partici- 
pated, were in a still less desirable condition. New supplies of pro- 
visions and merchandise were necessary but the Chamber of Am- 
sterdam would not consent to this. And the patroon of Rensselaers- 
wyck also met with a refusal (July 20, 1632) when he petitioned the 
directors to permit him to employ for compensation, during their 
free time, the Company's carpenters, smiths and other mechanics, 
for the establishment of a couple of new farms. 

Neither could they be prevailed upon to fulfil the Freedoms which 
guaranteed privileges for the proper transportation of cattle and 
goods; indeed they even went so far as to prohibit the purchase 
by him of goods belonging to the Company which were stored in 
New Netherland, and also forbade their colonists to barter neces- 
saries of life for dairy products and grain. 

Thus almost cut off from the outer world by the management of 
his opponents, our patroon was almost immediately obliged to teach 



ns This notice, which throws some light on the relations between the Company and 
their colonists follows as Appendix C [p. 290-92 of this volume]. N. de R. 



62 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

his colony to stand on its own legs. The only persons whom he 
could trust to keep a watchful eye on Rensselaerswyck were his 
nephew van Twillcr and the schout Coenraed Notelman, also a rela- 
tive, who consented to do this in so far as it could be made to agree 
with duty and conscience. 

Yet a new misfortune befell the patroon in the loss of a large 
part of his herd, which were killed by the natives. The Company 
also suffered a loss by the burning of their yacht de Bever. s<J The 
appointment of Hwithum, which was the cause of both these occur- 
rences, was now first clearly proved to have been a mistake. 40 

One of the measures taken at this time (July 1632) by Kiliaen, to 
confirm his authority, was to give his colony, which contained as 
yet but few souls, a judicial system by the appointment of schout 
and schepens. 

The highest and most responsible of the public offices, that of 
schout, he had reserved for Rutger Hendriksz, who, as outward 
sign of his dignity, was to adorn himself with a plumed hat and 
silver-plated rapier on a baldric. In his instructions, however, we 
seek in vain for an explanation of the principles by which he was 
to administer justice. The patroon only orders in general terms 
that the corrections shall be administered " according to the cus- 
toms of this land and especially according to the laws of this prov- 
ince of Holland." It is remarkable that every person could be 
corrected " who should neglect the profit of the patroon." In view 
of the fact that it is doubtful whether our worthy villager from 
ancient Hamcland 41 and our little peasants, who were to demand 
and render justice and some of whom could not even read, were 
versed in the Roman-Dutch law, then in force, or in the practice in 
criminal cases, and that the patroon furnished them with no other 
sources for their instruction and information than a few copies of 
the Freedoms and Exemptions, we may assume that the tribunal 
according to old Germanic custom administered justice according 
to reason and the five senses. In the judicial sphere of activity, 
fortunately, they probably were less occupied than with their daily 



39 See deposition referred to in preceding note. N. de R. 

*° Hunt hum did not long survive these events. In April 1634, he came to blows with 
Cornells van Vorst, director of the colony Povonia, who stabbed him to death (Deposi- 
tion, Feb. 25, 1636, before Notary C. Hoogenboom). N. de R. 

** Homeland; an ancient county with uncertain boundaries. According to A. J. van 
der Aa, Aardrijkskundig Woordenboek, it extended along both banks of the river Yssel, 
so as to cover parts of the present provinces of Gelderland and Overyssel. In calling 
Rutger Hendriksz from Soest a villager from ancient Hameland, Mr de Rocver has 
reference to Eemland, in the province of Utrecht, which by some is held to have formed 
part of Hameland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 63 

labors in the interests of the patroon for which he gave the schout 
detailed instructions. From these orders it appears directly that 
Rutgcr was charged more especially with the execution of the 
orders of van Rensselaer as regards the management of the colony. 
This was necessary because Wolfert Gerritsz had signified his inten- 
tion to request dismissal from the patroon. 

Roelof Jansz, Gerrit de Reus, Marijn Adriaensz, Brant Peelen 
and Laurens Laurensz, surnamed de Noorman, served as schepens 
and councilors. 4 - Brant Peelen was at the same time to take charge 
of the Sunday services, reading and explaining one of the texts 
from the Bible according to the huispostille Schulteti. One of 
them would keep the Resolution Book. For the rest, their duties 
were not described. Their distinction consisted of a black hat with 
a silver band. They were to be sworn in by the schout, who would 
himself take the oath of office before Director van Tiviller. 

As regards the oath of the schepens, that of Amsterdam was 
literally followed. 415 It was therefore not the patroon's object to 
introduce a new law, specially adapted to his agricultural colony. 
Law appears to have been the least active factor in the early de- 
velopment of Rensselaerswyck. 

At any rate, the colonists did more; the schout raised on his 
farm Rensselaersburg on Castle or West Island, in 1631, 12 mor- 
gens of winter wheat and four morgens of winter rye. The patroon 
reckoned that in three years he would be able to raise more than 100 
lasts. Of the 600 or 800 morgens of arable land in the colony, which 
lay along the river, and which were as good quality as the land in the 
Betuzve 44 or in the Beemster, 45 each promised in the future a har- 
vest of three quarters to one last. The fattening of cattle, however, 
would be of still more importance ; " our greatest profit will come 
from the cattle, for which there are fine and sufficient pastures, for 



42 It is doubtful whether the first schout and schepens appointed by the patroon ever 
qualified, and whether court was actually held in the colony before the arrival of Jacob 
Planck in 1634. The instructions to Jacob Planck, April 25, 1634, state that Director 
van Twiller was to administer the oath as schout to Planck " instead of to Rutger 
henrickssz van Soest, according to previous power of attorney," and further that " at the 
first opportunity he shall choose three schepens from among the fittest of my colonists 
and administer to them the proper oath, so that he can hold court if need be." Cf. 
p. 201, 251, 292, 294, 311. 

43 Compare Handvesten van Amsterdam (ed. H. Noordkerk), p. 111. N. de R. 

44 Betuwe; the fertile district between the Rhine and the Waal in the southern part of 
the province of Gelderland. 

45 Beemster; district north of Purmerend in the province of North Holland, comprising 
about 14,000 acres of exceedingly fertile land reclaimed between the years 1607 and 
1612 by drainage of Beemster lake. For account of the undertaking and the vigorous 
support given it by Willem Usselinx, the founder of the Dutch West India Company, 
see J. F. Jameson's biography of Usselinx in Papers of the American Historical Associa- 
tion, 1887, 2:195-202. 



64 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

clearing of land proceeds but slowly from agriculture," writes the 
patroon to Jan dc Lact, 4r ' and he shows the necessity of exercising 
patience and of not ceasing to put money into the business. 

" But," adds the optimistic patroon, " here I am getting too far 
ahead." 47 And so he was. Through all the opposition, his ex- 
pectations were disappointed, and it did certainly take twice as many 
years before that part of the harvest which could be gathered into 
barns and sold approached 100 lasts. 48 

The year 1633, which under the existing unfavorable circum- 
stances could yield little of importance to the patroon and his 
colony, saw the continuation of party strife in the Amsterdam 
Chamber. Three of the friends of van Twiller left their seats when 
their terms expired. They were Burgh, Rcael and dc la Myne. 
Their influence, however, remained and made itself felt, when the 
party which opposed the colonization felt itself strong enough to 
undermine the most important articles of the Freedoms and Exemp- 
tions. They aimed at the fifteenth article, which allowed the pa- 
troons the coast trade in New Netherland and the fur trade, with 
the above named restrictions, and also at the twenty-fifth, by which 
the Company took the colonies under their care. 4!} They could not, 
however, persuade the majority of the desirability of these measures, 
which would undoubtedly have resulted in the ruin of the colonies. 
The Freedoms, at any rate, remained untouched. 50 Neither had 
they success in their attempt to recall the director, van Twiller, who 
hail been brought into disrepute by the secretary, van Remundt. 
The protection of his uncle and of his three friends as well as the 
good will of Frederik dc Vries 51 and of Daniel van Liebergen pre- 
vented Isaak dc Rasiere from succeeding van Twiller. This case 
shows that the ex-directors had still considerable influence, for of 
the persons here mentioned dc la Myne and van Liebergen are the 
only ones who were in office at that time. 

The carrying of freight in the meantime continued to be a dis- 
puted point. In order to promote barter with the natives, the pa- 



40 Letter June 27, 1632 [p. igol. Tan de Lact, associated with Burgh, was patroon on 
the east side of the hay of the South River. N. de R. 

47 ick hope hycr wat voor -mints " ; literally, I run here somewhat before the wind. 

48 The last of grain was reckoned by van Rensselaer at 140 guilders. N. de R. 

m Presumably there is some connection between the proposal to repeal this last article 
and the news of the killing of the cattle of Kiliaen. N. oe R. 

• r '" If the Memorial (Appendix A [p. 235—50 of this volume]) served to avert this danger, 
then we can place the debates over these propositions in the autumn of 1633. N. de R. 

61 He was also secretary of the city. N. de R. 

In 1638, he and David Pictersz de Vries entered into an agreement about establishing 
a colony on Staten Island; they sailed on the ship de Liefde and April 19, 1639, ap- 
peared together before Cornelis van Tienhoven, at New Amsterdam. See D. P. de 
Vries, Korte Hisloriael, p. 147, 162, and N. Y. Col. Mss, 1:98. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 65 

troons wished 10 find storage for large quantities of merchandise 
in the Company's ships, which the Memorial informs us were of 
no great carrying capacity. Perhaps the directors thought this 
would mean too much reduction of the space available for the Com- 
pany's goods ; perhaps they wished to compel the patroons to pro- 
vide themselves with what they needed from the warehouses at the 
Manhattans; possibly they feared that the fur trade would escape 
them if they enabled the patroons to barter on a large scale; it is 
certain that they would only allow goods to the value of a few 
hundred guilders to be taken in. Now the patroons were permitted 
by the eleventh article of the Freedoms to send ships or yachts 
thither themselves, but in this they evidently saw no profit, for as 
yet they could not freight a whole vessel. They felt, therefore, 
too well, that every reference to the authority given them in this 
eleventh article corresponded with a refusal to comply with their 
wishes. And the general opinion of the assembled directors was 
here on the side of de Vogclaer, but they also did not wish to be 
deaf to the representations of van Rensselaer and decided to sub- 
mit the point in question to the judgment of their High Mighti- 
nesses. 

Whether in the beginning there was little prospect that the de- 
mands of the patroons would be granted, and whether van Rens- 
selaer foresaw great expense and difficulty in the suits which, ac- 
cording to the Memorial, he intended to bring against the Company, 
certain it is that in July 1634 he had one of the directors sound 
the feeling of the Amsterdam Chamber with respect to an amicable 
arrangement. Had there ever been any prospect of realizing this, 
the patroon would have been willing to turn the whole colony over 
to the Company. The affair was managed with the needful caution 
and supported by a secret Account of the jurisdictions, management 
and condition* 2 of the colony, dated July 20. In a confidential let- 
ter to his coparticipant, Johan de Laet, 53 he mentions the sum for 
which he would be willing to resign all his rights. Although the 
account book no longer exists, I dare say that the patroon did ask 
not a little too much when he demanded 6000 pounds Flemish. Two 
years later, when matters were in much better shape and he had 
gone to much more expense, he was willing to leave a one tenth 
share 54 to Burgh, when he could have gotten it himself, for 1000 



''- See p. 306-12. 

H Letter of July 21, 1634 [p. 312-13I. N. de R. 

'■' Letter to de Laet, Oct. 6, 1636 [p. 333-36]. N. de R 



66 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

guilders. The colony could not yet have been worth much more 
than one quarter of the price which he asked the Company. He ac- 
knowledges, indeed, that he expected to indemnify himself in this 
way for his losses in the exploitation of Zzvanendal. 55 During 
these negotiations two other patroons appeared with their proposals 
to transfer the colonies Zzvanendal and Pavonia to the Company. 
We already know that Zzvanendal was not succeeding very well. It 
could therefore cost the allied patroons but few tears to bid it 
farewell. The Company wished to assure itself of the monopoly 
of the fur trade and could therefore afford to sacrifice something in 
order to buy out the patroon and his partners at that place. But 
that reason did not apply to Rensselaerswyck. Whether it must be 
ascribed to this or whether the patroon withdrew his proposition 
after the temporary mood of dejection had passed away and he had 
changed his mind, I can not decide; however it was, nothing came 
of the sale. It appears that van Rensselaer in the following year 
would not even think of it again and did not regret it. 50 Protected 
as they now were from losses in Zzvanendal, the allied authorities 
determined to devote themselves with new courage to the coloniza- 
tion of Rensselaerswyck. 

The simultaneous attempts which the Amsterdam patroons of the 
existing colonies made to dispose of their undertakings indicate a 
more favorable disposition among the directors. One can not blame 
them, because having experienced their dependence on the prevail- 
ing humor in the council, they did not desire to risk encountering 
a new tide of opposition in a few years but preferred to make use 
of a favorable current. 

This began with the change in the government of the Chamber 
which put the party of de Vogelaer again in the minority. Burgh, 
Read, Fredcrik de Vries, Eduard Man, Schuylenburgh and Bart- 
rinck resumed their old seats. 

It seemed that the supporters of the colonization reckoned them- 
selves strong enough to alter the course in which affairs were being 
steered by de Vogelaer.™ The plan was formed already in April 
" to strike stoutly at the management of Vogelaer." He seems to 
have seen the approach of danger and to have understood that any 
opposition would be useless. He resigned his office of commissioner 



I • tter <>f July 21, 1634 [p. 312-13]. N. DE R. 
"Letter l<> van Twiller, May 2.1, 1635 [p. 315-17]. N. de R. 
"Letter to van Twiller, April 23, 1G34 [p. 266 SSJ. N. Dl R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 67 

of New Netherland affairs, apparently very unexpectedly, about 
May. 58 

We should be unjust to the directors if we thought that they were 
now going to manage matters in any manner partial to the interests 
of the patroons of Rensselaerswyck. They did not enter upon the 
purchase of the colony. Some points of difference still remained. 
What was the outcome of the intention of Kiliaen to demand legal 
indemnity from the Company, we do not learn. I am personally 
not disinclined to believe that the patroon mentioned this indemnity 
only in order to exert some pressure on the directors, who were con- 
sidering whether or not to deliver over to him his cattle which had 
been held back at the Manhattans, in order that later his proposals 
for the transfer of his colony might more readily find acceptance, 
as the directors would thereby avoid expensive lawsuits. 

But there was now no more question of intentional obstruction. 
This was already shown in April 1634 when he sent by the ship 
de Ecndracht a number of sacks and eight large chests, filled with 
all manner of goods, weapons, farm implements, clothing, seeds, 
provisions and other necessaries, on which vessel at the same time 
embarked his newly recruited colonists, viz, Jacob Planck, from 
Edam, who was to discharge the duties of schout, commis, precentor 
and distiller of brandy, and for whose use a large brandy kettle was 
sent along; Abraham Planck, his son; Lubber t Gijsbertsa, who 
wished to settle in the new colony as wagon maker and who took 
along his wife and children; Cornells Theunisz, who would find 
work enough as carpenter and mason at Rensselaerswyck; and a 
few workmen. 

In one of the chests was stored away also the first "red flag 
with the arms of the colony, to float on the breeze on proper 
occasions." 



Ah 






"Letter to Sellout PI, inch. May 2, 1634 I P- 300-1]. N. de R. 



68 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



II 



We have seen that the patroons got into a dispute with the 
directors of the West India Company over the rights guaranteed 
by the Freedoms and Exemptions, of which the Company wished 
to deprive them 1 by the passage of new articles and regulations, and 
that both parties, apparently unable to agree, left the decision to 
the States General, which appointed a committee to investigate the 
matter. 

As the successors of the original owners, the patroons considered 
themselves almost sovereigns. They thought they need not obey 
any rules of the Company; that the internal fur trade, as well as 
that on the coast, was theirs by right ; that they need not tolerate 
in their territory any commis to collect the duty on furs purchased; 
that, so long as they did not avail themselves of the right to fit out 
their own ships, the officers of the West India Company in New 
Netherland were at least bound to inform them when there was 
room for their goods in its returning ships ; that the Company 
unlawfully required an oath of the colonists whereby they re- 
nounced the privileges granted them by the patroons ; and, finally, 
that the Company was bound to make good the loss which the 
patroons had suffered from the Company's failure to fulfil the 
obligations of protection and so forth which it had assumed. 

Not all these grievances were brought forward by van Rens- 
selaer. The fur trade, which was the great stumbling block to a 
good understanding between the two parties in the Chamber of 
the Nineteen, he had expressly forbidden, at least to his own colo- 
nists. The promotion of farming was almost the exclusive consid- 
eration for him and his colony, and for this the continued supply 
of colonists, cattle and all kinds of goods for use and trade in the 
colony was a vital necessity. 

For him and his cause everything depended on the opportunities 
for transportation. About this he had to try to come to an under- 
standing with the directors. 

Meanwhile the committee met, heard the parties, and adjourned, 
probably shortly after June 24, 1634, 2 after having postponed the 



1 The grievances of the patroons are described in their memorial to their High 
Mightinesses of June 16, 1634, printed by O'Callaghan, Holland Documents [Doc. ret. 
to Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:86]. N. de R. 

2 Resolutions of the States General of that date. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 69 

decision of the matter submitted to their judgment, of which noth- 
ing further is heard. 3 

It is clear that without the action of the committee a settlement 
had been reached between the two parties which is placed in pros- 
pect by Kiliacn in a letter to de Lact as early as July 21. 4 The more 
favorable sentiment toward the patroons existing in the Assembly 
of the Nineteen undoubtedly influenced this action. But perhaps 
no less a consideration was the advisability of keeping friends with 
the patroons and preserving peace at home, since for lack of money 
the Company could not at once prosecute with energy the settle- 
ment of the American colony and, by reason of the competition of 
English traders, ran the risk of diplomatic difficulties with its 
neighbor over seas, whose pretensions to New Netherland were yet 
fresh in memory. These traders, with an ex-Amsterdam merchant 
Jacob Eclkcns 5 at their head, had just chosen for the place of their 
operations the shores near Fort Orange, with which he was 
formerly well acquainted. In some way an agreement was brought 
about and, although we do not know on what terms, the result may 
be traced in the transfer soon after of Zzvancndal and Pavonia 6 to 
the Company, and in the decision of Kiliacn. two years later to fit out 
a ship himself, after his remonstrance had been favorably voted 
upon by the directors. 7 

In New Netherland Director van Twitter kept an eye on his 
uncle's interests. If there were cattle for sale, he bought them for 
Rensselaerswyck, and so did the director of Pavonia for that 
colony. Kiliacn and Michicl Pauw, who seem to have been the 
only interested parties, understood that it was to their mutual ad- 
vantage not to thwart each other in these purchases. Differences 
which had already arisen were laid aside and they pledged them- 
selves on April 13, 1634, to buy and honestly divide between 
themselves " all the animals, horses and cows, old or young, that 
from now on and during six years may be offered for sale in New 
Netherland either by the Company or by individuals, whether in- 
habitants or straneers." s 



8 One of the documents submitted by the patroon to the committee was the important 
Account of the jurisdictions, etc. See Appendix E [p. 306-12 of this volumel. N. de R. 

* See Appendix F [p. 312—13 of this volume]. N. de R. 

'•Jacob Jacobss Eelkens was born at Amsterdam in 1591. Hendrik Eelkens, associated 
with Hans Jorisz Huntum as the first traders in the New Netherland with the Mohicans, 
must have been his brother. N. de R. 

* It is known that Pavonia cost the Company 26,000 guilders. N. de R. 

7 This appears from a list of papers and manuscripts sent to Jacob Planck with the 
letter of Oct. 4, T636, to be found in the Letter Book of van Rensselaer f. 98 [p. 331-32 
of this volume]. N. de R. 

8 Protocol of Notary /. v. d. Ven, Amsterdam [see p. 257-58]. N. de R. 



JO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

We have already seen repeatedly how it was the first and only 
endeavor of van Rensselaer to make his settlement a farming 
colony and it appears to me that such was the chief aim of both 
the other patroons. Kiliaen says this in a letter to his schout, 
Jacob Albertsz Planck, dated August 24, 1635 : 9 "We are trying 
to populate the land and in time to spread the teaching of the Holy 
Gospel by many people, while they, 10 on the contrary, employing 
only a few people, look solely for the profits of the fur trade." 
As regards the patroon of Rensselaerswyck, we may decidedly 
contradict O'Callaghan's assertion in his History of New Nether- 
land 11 that they, " losing sight, for the most part, of their first 
duties as planters, diverted their energies and means in competing 
with the Company for a share of the Indian trade." On the con- 
trary, if, as he asserts, " the charter tended, in no small degree, to 
retard the settlement of the province," it was only because the 
directors, in spite of the Freedoms and Exemptions and to avoid 
losing the profits of their own trade, opposed the colonization by 
throwing obstacles in the way of the transportation of people, cattle 
and goods. 

That the patroons were out for their own profit is no cause for 
reproach. This has ever been the mighty impulse of all coloniza- 
tion. But they sought it in another and more honest way than by 
supplanting the Company in the fur trade. The right of the 
patroons to this trade seems to me quite beyond dispute and they 
were there as business men to stand by their rights as soon as there 
was promise of profit. We shall presently see that the fur trade 
had to be thrown open finally in order to attract colonists to the 
Company's own settlements. 

Whether the director's appearance in the promotion of the 
patroon's interests aroused suspicion or other considerations of a 
personal nature entered into the game and were instigated by 
Secretary van Rem uncle, or whether 7'an Twillcr really gave cause 
for complaint in his management of the Company's affairs, can no 
longer be determined. In no wise, however, can I accept the sen- 
tence that American writers have passed upon him. The evidence 
brought against him may be cited as proof of the grievances bul 
its authority may be doubted, since one often meets statements that 
diametrically conflict. That he and lii^ people, but especially the 



■Should be May 24, 1635; see p. 313. 
10 The directors. N. de R. 
"Vol. 1, p. 178. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS Jl 

latter, were no model men, lies in the nature of the case. It was 
surely difficult to rule over a handful of fortune hunters who had 
not crossed the ocean with any noble aim of opening' a wild land to 
cultivation and who, under hard conditions of existence, must lead 
a rude life and who sought rude pleasures. In such circumstances, 
gentleness would have been weakness, least of all to be forgiven in 
the governor of so small a settlement. He was not unskillful in 
the management of the Company's affairs and kept a firm hand 
wherever he judged it needful and it was not his fault if few of 
his measures resulted favorably. O'Callaghan accuses him of seek- 
ing his own gain at the expense of the Company and says that, 
when he left, his farm was the only one in good order. The reason 
of this was that the colonists at the Manhattans left as soon as 
their time was up. They had the right to sell a part of their cattle 
and found the only buyers in van Twiller and the patroons. It 
was natural that the Company's farms should be ruined by this. 
That he did not further the affairs of the patroons at the expense 
of his employers is proved by his keeping back the cattle and the 
implements belonging to Bijlvcld and de Rcux, which had been 
transferred to his uncle, 12 and by the confiscation of the latter's 
grain in behalf of the Company, of which van Rensselaer com- 
plained in 1636 in a letter to Planck, dated October 3d. 

However this may be, evil tongues were at once busy in vilifying 
him to the directors, as they had done before with Minuyt, who, 
angry with the Company, had taken upon himself the establish- 
ment of the Swedish trading company in North America. A letter 
from van Rensselaer to his nephew, dated April 23, 1634, 13 is of 
value for a knowledge of the divisions prevailing in the Amsterdam 
Chamber and from it we can form an opinion of the patroon's 
character and his excellent mental qualities and gain an idea, 
though one-sided, of the intrigues of Secretary van Remunde. 
Although his enemies had at first little success with their endeavors 
to oust van Twiller, three years later, whether justly or unjustly, 
they compassed his downfall. 

Cooperation between the leaders in New Netherland alone could 
have insured the success of the great enterprise, but that was want- 
ing. Precious time slipped away in trivial squabbles. A continual 
change of governors and chief officials was the result. They were 
always recalled after a few years, when they had barely been able 



12 See Appendix G [p. 266-88 o( this volume]. N. de R. 

13 See Appendix G [p. 266-88 of this volume]. N. de R. 



J2. NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to contrive means for the development of the extraordinarily rich 
resources of the new colony, thereby causing the settlement to 
assume the character of a trading- post for immediate profits rather 
than a seriously planned colony. That the directors could only 
regard the matter in this light proves their shortsightedness. In 
Rensselaerswyck a better example was offered them. 

It seems as if the patroons, when their friendly director was 
attacked, found a needed counterpoise in declarations prejudicial 
to one of the Company's officers, the commandant of Fort Orange, 
Hans Joris. 1 : Hunthitm. They attributed to him the loss incurred 
by Rensselaerswyck in the slaughter of the cattle by the Indians, 
a loss they wished to recover from the Company. Probably on the 
ground of these declarations it was asserted that Hunthum was 
allied with Eclkcns. 

The depositions made in England state the matter quite differ- 
ently. 14 Hunthum was not to experience the evil consequences which 
might result from these suspicions. At the time when these 
attempts for his removal were made in Amsterdam, the man had 
already been dead 35 for several months, and we have no need to 
concern ourselves further as to how the matter might have turned 
out. One of these declarations, however, is so remarkable in 
many respects, besides completing the documents containing the 
correspondence between the two governments, that I have printed 
it here among the appendixes. 

. Meanwhile in Rensselaerswyck Jacob Planck assumed the plumed 
hat and the silvered rapier of the former schout. His instructions, 
dated April 25, 1634, ordered him to choose three schepens, thus 
setting aside the former incumbents, 16 and to seek his knowledge 
from an Ars notariatus, a Damhoudcr Praktycq criinineel, and a 
Manicr van praccdccrcn. With perhaps more prospect of success, 
he was to exert himself in the advancement of farming and the 
increase of the number of farms and cattle. He was bidden to 
consult Director van Twillef about these matters and always to 
preserve good relations with Conraet Notelinan, also a relative of 
the patroon, who had charge of one of the Company's farms at the 
Manhattans, hired by van Rensselaer on account of the cattle. 17 



li See O'Callaghan, Holland Documents, 1:72 et scq. [Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. Y. 
1:72-81]. N. de R. 

15 See note [p. 62 of tin's volume]. N. r>E R. 

1,1 See note on p. 63. 

17 The patroon hoped that the other farm which he had hired would be taken charge 
of by l.uhhnt van Dincklage, who went over as fiscal and officer in April 1634. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 73 

The patroon proposed that the council of New Netherland should 
place a guard of two or three men from Fort Orange at his mill, 
which was somewhat remotely situated and in whose safety the 
Company had no less concern than himself. He also asked the 
council to consider whether they would let five or six men from 
the garrison work through the day on a farm he intended estab- 
lishing near the fort, " while they could keep careful watch at 
night." Considering there might be risk of some lack of efficiency 
after a day of field or manual labor, the council seems not to have 
assented to his proposal. 

More than a year and a half was to pass before the patroon 
heard that his new officer and all the goods sent over in the ship 
de Eendracht had arrived at the appointed place. 18 A regular 
communication — a ferry, as van Rensselaer called it when he 
urged its establishment — did not exist, neither does navigation 
seem to have been active. In the absence of news, Kiliaen writes: 1 " 
" the work here is quite unsettled. The directors are very much 
alarmed, many complain bitterly." Rumors of evil spread, that " all 
had perished, people as well as cattle," that the vessel, called the 
" sugar-bark " probably because it had served to carry sugar to 
the fatherland, had been leased by van Twiller to the English ; and 
it seems that some proposed to introduce economies by leaving 
fewer people in New Netherland, which course according to the 
opinion of Kiliaen would only result in misfortune for the whole 
undertaking. 

The Company as yet apparently drew no profits from New 
Netherland. Even the furs did not yield enough. It seems to have 
been suspected also that the officials engaged in smuggling and did 
not account to the Company for the real receipts of that valuable 
article. This was plainly the reason why van Rensselaer proposed 
to farm out the fur trade. 20 

The uncertainty regarding the condition of the colony worried 
the directors and led the patroon to decide, for a time, to cease 
sending over colonists and goods. It was as if courage revived 
when news at last came from the far West. The situation was not 
as bad as they had feared. I think it likely that van Rensselaer, 
under the pressure of painful uncertainty, decided to come forward 
and act himself, and when empowered by the Company, he resolved 



18 The ship de Eendracht did not come back to the fatherland till October or possibly 
a month or two later. N. de R. 

"Letter to van Twiller, May 24, 1635. See Appendix J [p. 315-17 of this volume]. 
N. de R. 

-" l.i'-cr to van Twiller, May 24, if.35. See Appendix J \p. 315-17 of this volume]. 
N. DE R. 



74 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to lit out a ship to maintain the connection with liis colony and 
transport goods, marketable in the New World. It seems that we 
must not regard this matter as either very great or very profitable. 21 
I consider Kiliaen too wide-awake a man, if he had thought it was 
so, to go, as he did, into partnership for the vessel's freighting 
with the Leyden merchant and cloth dyer, Gerard de Forest, 
brother of Jesse de forest, who is considered the founder of New 
Amsterdam." The contract, executed before the notary, /. van de 
I 'en, on August 8, 1636, required each partner with his associates 
to share half and half in the purchase of the ship Rensselaer swijek 
and of a cargo worth from 6000 to 7000 guilders, in provisioning 
the ship for 12 persons and in their wages. On the other hand, 
Kiliaen was to pay all the transit charges of colonists destined for 
his colony, but de Forest shared in the patroon's acknowledged 
right to the coast trade between Florida and Newfoundland, in the 
lumber and salt trade and in the letters of marque which he 
(Kiliaen) had received from the Prince of Orange. Should there 
be no opportunity to convey the colonists from the Manhattans to 
Rensselaerswyck, the ship was to go up there directly after its 
arrival. A warehouse was to be hired at the Manhattans for the 
storage of goods. 

The venture amounted to much more than was agreed upon and 
was almost 15,500 guilders. The settlement of the account of 
Gerard de Forest and his associates seems to have been attended 
with much difficulty. The Letter Book of Kiliaen contains many 
letters to Gerard himself and members of his family, which, in 
every shade between entreaty and threats, press for the payment 
of the share put by them into the ship's venture. For more than 
a year Kiliaen was disappointed every time that he reckoned upon 
settlement. Under skipper Jan Tjepkes Schelling, the boat sailed out 
of the Y on September 25, 1636, and put to sea from the Texel 
October 8, with no less than 38 colonists on board, including six 
women. The prosperous voyage, so eagerly desired, did not ensue 



21 It is interesting to hear the words of Kiliaen himself about the profits of this trade. 
" Since I have paid cash for these (goods) without including any expenses for packing, 
boat and lighter-freight, ocean freight, interest, risk, and insurance, damage, etc. (an 
increase which) with your commission (of 5%) amounts to nearly so7'\ therefore (you) 
must sell all such goods as can bear it, somewhat higher than 50%. But I do not wish 
my own people to be charged more than 60% since they must gain it by their hard 
labor. But from other people, for whom I need not care, you may take as much as is 
the market rate and you can get." (Letter to Planck, Oct. 3, 1636 [printed on p. 323-30 
of this volume].) N. de R. 

In quoting this section, Mr de Roevcr abridges the text; that the various chai 
amount to 50% of the first cost is not definitely stated by the patroon, though implied. 

-- Mr Ch. M. Dosy in The Pilgrim Fathers Exhibition of Documents at Leyden relating 
to the Dutch Settlement in North America (August 1888). N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 75 

The ship met with bad weather, according to the still existing 
Journal, 23 and after tossing to and fro for five weeks had to run 
in to Plymouth and there take refuge. There they must needs 
stay on land and, as ill luck would have it, one of the passengers, 
the blacksmith's helper, became intoxicated in a tavern, and gave 
a death blow to his master. The ship was moored, the rudder 
taken away, and although the criminal was given up, it was the 
9th of January before the Rensselaer swyck could again set sail. 
The journey was pursued in fairly good weather until they 
anchored at the Manhattans on the 4th of March and remained 
there because the river was still closed. The cargo was discharged 
and Hcndrik de Forest, the trader and mate, 24 remained in the 
hired warehouse to carry on trade, while the ship went up the river 
to the colony on the 26th and dropped anchor on the 7th of April 
opposite Fort Orange. 25 There they delivered the smith's coal, 
the millstones for the erection of a grist-mill near the sawmill, and 
other goods not mentioned. While the Rensselaer swijek lay at 
anchor, a yacht laden with grain went down to the Manhattans and 
another with animals arrived. On May 31, the journey was con- 
tinued past the Manhattans to Smith's Island and then back again 
to the former place in order, on August 14, to begin the return 
voyage. They waited at Plymouth for other Dutch ships and 
arrived safely at the Texel, November 7, 1637. 

The detention of more than seven weeks at Plymouth and the 
small profits of the voyage, added to the difficulties with his Leyden 
partner and the proved- disloyalty of the skipper and of the super- 
cargo Dirk Corscn Stain, decided Kiliaen to sell the ship. 26 

The patroon must now look around for other chances of sending 
over his colonists and the goods designed for his colony- So the 
ships with which Director Kieft crossed carried along colonists and 
goods for Kiliaen. Pieter Minuyt, who was going in his ship to 
Virginia as commander of a Swedish company, and had put in at 
the Texel on account of storms, out of old friendship for him took 

- Printed on p. 355—89 of this volume. 

-'According to the Journal, he died on July 26 and was buried the following day at 
the Manhattans, where the ship then was. Geertruy Bomstra, his widow, claimed his 
property from his sister Rachel, then living at the Manhattans, who had married Dr 
ntagne. According to his own declaration, made before Notary Corcn, before 
his departure in 1636, he had been selected by the patroons in 1631 to fill the place 
of Gilles Houset in Zwanendal, but on account of the sad circumstances at said place 
the patroons gave up this plan. N. de R. 

. « It seems that the colonists were all landed at the Manhattans. Arent Steff enters 
married there on the 22d of March the widow of the murdered blacksmith. And on 
the 8th two children who had been born at sea were baptized there. N. de R. 

- a Pieter Meuleman became its owner for the sum of 2600 guilders, by deed of April 
20, 1638, before Notary J. v. d. Ven. The ship was wrecked in November 1644, 
near the liermudas. N. de R. 



j6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

in a lighter-load of goods, among which were gunpowder, firelocks, 
wooden utensils, tar and pitch to be delivered at the Manhattans?' 
and also took six passengers on board. In the following year, a 
vessel fitted out by the Company, het IVapen van Noorwegen, in 
which the colony of Rensselaerswyck had a half interest, carried 
over a number of colonists and a large quantity of goods, including 
1 8 young mares, thousands of bricks, ironwork, clothing material, 
spices, cheese, soap, oil and a box filled with earth in which were 
planted young grape vines, etc., all of which were confided to the 
care of Cornells Mclijn, the supercargo. 28 

We nmy therefore regard Kiliacn as the introducer of the grape 
into the New World. 2J 

The directors seem to have continued favorably disposed toward 
the patroon. However good the news from the colony may have 
been, the patroon had just cause to complain of his schout and coin- 
mis. Planck appeared to lack clearness of insight. He seems not to 
have quickly perceived where his master's interests lay in every 
chance that offered. The patroon had no thought of bad faith, 
although he considered Planck not incapable of enriching himself at 
his expense through the fur trade. The patroon was also not too 
well satisfied with the way justice was administered; for this 
Planck appeared no more fitted than for the position of adminis- 
trator of the colony. 

Differences between the directors and the patroon concerning 
the fur trade still continued. 

In the colonies, where, as in Rensselaerswyck, the Company had 
no commis, the gcconqnesteerde goederen, i. e. products of the soil, 
might be bartered for beaver and other skins, provided that a cer- 
tain export duty be paid at the Manhattans. The meaning of the 
Freedoms and Exemptions is clear. Only those who took upon 
themselves the trouble and expense of establishing agricultural 
colonies might partly indemnify themselves by trading in furs. 
That the Company wished to reserve this trade exclusively by plac- 
ing a commis in the colony and that this action aroused the just in- 
dignation of van Rensselaer, we have already seen. It seems that 
he, in connection with the fitting out of the ship Rensselacrswijck, 
claimed the right from the Company to trade all, even imported 

27 Letters to Picter Minuyt, Dec. 25 and 29, 1637 [see p. 389-91 and 395 of this 
volume]. N. de R. 

28 Cornells Melijn, formerly a leather dresser at Amsterdam, founded in 1640 by per- 
mission of the West India Company a colony on Staten Island which he transferred to 
the Company in 1659. N. de R. 

29 Vines were brought over by Domine Johannes Michaelius in 1628. See his letter 
of Aug. 8, 1628, published under the title: Manhattan in 162S, p. 76-77. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS J J 

goods, for peltries, considering that there had been a tacit concession 
of his claims when the Company in the contract with Pauzv concern- 
ing the transfer of Pavonia had thrown open the fur trade of that 
quarter to the colonists. When the parties could not agree about 
this, the decision was left to their High Mightinesses. Kiliacn de- 
sired the director and council in New Netherland, pending a de- 
cision of the matter, to at least grant his sellout a temporary fur 
trading privilege, in order to recoup for the frequent forced de- 
liveries that he had made out of the storehouses of his colony to the 
Company's officials on account, for the feeding of the population 
and provisioning of the returning ships. 

I have spoken of the Company's efforts to draw a profit from 
New Netherland by retaining the exclusive control of the fur trade. 
This seems to have been possible only through sending few people 
there. The expense of transportation and support of the colonists 
had apparently become so heavy that the directors shrank from 
sending more people and making New Netherland a source of still 
greater loss to the Company's already unprofitable balance. 

No more free colonists offered themselves. They could only be 
tempted by the free extension of this important trade. 30 It was 
as much in the interest of New Netherland as in that of his own 
colony that van Rensselaer brought this point to the official notice 
of the Company. In 1636 this was evidently still discussed 31 but 
without much chance of a favorable decision for the proponent. 
The directors were quite preoccupied by the difficulties which the 
fiscal ; Lubber t van Dincklage, had brought upon them by his strife 
with Director van Twitter, with the preacher Bogardus, who in 
turn was incensed against the latter, and indeed with the whole 
council and with all officials in New Netherland. We can not 
digress here to discuss this question which the directors found very 
perplexing. It seems that they did not blame van Twitter for it 
but they had other grievances against him. The director was a 
poor correspondent, though we do not believe with van Rensselaer 
that he was too timid 32 to write. The directors were not kept in- 
formed of matters, so that it became necessary to recall him and 
send out a new director. The opponents of van Tzvillcr stirred up 
the fire kindled against him. As early as September 1636, it was 
planned to put the director of Curacao, van Walbccck, in his place, 
but almost a year passed before van Tzvillcr was succeeded by 



■■" If they want to keep it for themselves with a few people to draw the largest 
profit, they can not defend the land, and with much people, they suffer loss; and 
others will not populate the country unless they grant them free trade. (Letter of van 
Rensselaer to IVoutcr van Txvillcr, Sept. 25, 1636 [see p. 319—23].) N. de R. 

81 Letter to Wouter van Twiller, Sept. 25, 1636 [see p. 319—23]. N. de R. 

82 schreupelv.es, see p. 320. 



yS NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Will cm Kieft, who started for his post the last of September 1637 
with two ships fitted out by the Company. In the meantime Schout 
Planck was very busy in distributing the small army of new colo- 
nists among his farms and laying out a couple of new ones to be 
intrusted to the care of Symoii Walichss and Cornells Maesen 
and named Besselsburch and Trippenburch after the copartners in 
the colony, besides building two mills, a sawmill and a grist-mill. 
By the erection of the first, Kiliaen expected to have merchantable 
lumber that would be bought by the Company and the English, at 
least all that he did not need for his own use, and boards which 
might please the natives, because they would be suitable for build- 
ing huts and fitting them with hinged doors and windows. The 
patroon also promised himself no less profit from the grist-mill 
since he could barter his grain with the Company for peltries or 
sell it to the English, and collect seawan by grinding the maize 
which the Indians would bring to the mill. 

The increasing necessity prompted the patroon, as we saw, to 
send over people and goods by whatever opportunity offered. 
Eight colonists crossed with Kicft, among whom were two black- 
smiths 33 and a couple of locksmiths. Van Rensselaer had indeed 
wished to send more people, but the Company in the beginning was 
willing to fit out only one ship and when the chartering of the 
second was determined upon he had no longer any chance to get 
other colonists. But in the same year six others followed in the 
ship of Pictcr Minuyt, among whom was the patroon's cousin. 
Arent van Curler? 4 ' a youth of 18 years of age, who was going to 
Rensselaerswyck as assistant or clerk to Planck, in order that the 
patroon might in future be kept better informed of his affairs. 

The latest colonists were to be especially employed in tobacco 
raising 35 but could in other v/ays meet (heir expenses by their own 
trades. 

Better limes were dawning for the Company. Brazil was sub- 
dued and entered upon an era of orderly government under Johan 
Maurits. The directors decided to increase their capital by one 
third. 3 ' 1 In the prospect of larger resources, it was determined " to 



M We saw that (lie patroon had lost his two blacksmiths at Plymouth. N. he R. 

** Arent van Curler, or Corler, was one of the five children of Joachim van Curler, 
a son of Goossen van Coder, schout of Nijkerk, who as late as 1626 was mentioned as 
a shareholder in the W. I. C. Joachim had died before this year, without means. 
N. de R. 

According to Mr O. Beernink, of Nijkerk, Arent van Curler was baptized Feb. f>. 
1620, and was the son of Hendrik; Joachim being an uncle of Arent and father of 
bus, mentioned on p. 216. 

"According to the patroon's statement, tobacco was more easily sold here in the leaf 
than in rolls or spun. N. de R. 

M See Appendix K [p. 351-53 of this volume]. Letter from van Rensselaer to IV outer 
van Twiller, Sept. 21, 1637. In the Groot Placaatboek no resolution for this increase 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS /O. 

take up the matter of New Netherland with all diligence." The 
question of granting new freedoms was discussed hut it was de- 
cided to await the report of the new director. 

From time to time the directors received tidings which should 
have made it clear to them that the English encroached more and 
more on the land of the M aquas, on the Fresh River and elsewhere. 
This could only be prevented by doing more for colonization and 
declaring trade free without reserve. But this they seemed unable 
to decide upon and in consequence the patroon wrote on May 6, 
1638, to his nephew van Twitter: " The Company must open their 
eyes, as I maintain, or they will lose the best part of that fine re- 
gion." Neither were the Swedish attempts to get a firm footing in 
North America to be concealed. The course of affairs could not 
fail to attract the attention of the States General. The frontiers 
of the colony were continually threatened by the danger of foreign 
intruders, and in the settled regions the population was decreasing 
rather than increasing. As soon as the six years' contract with the 
Company expired, many colonists returned to the fatherland after 
selling their cattle 37 or were engaged for the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, where living was evidently more profitable. 

The States General saw the internal strength of the settlement 
diminish, whereas they had hoped and expected, for the sake of the 
fatherland, to have a firmly established government there. 

Their High Mightinesses felt that there must be a change but they 
could not themselves push the matter. They gave the directors 
a hearing and urged the Assembly of the Nineteen to devise new 
ways of combating the ever increasing evil. This resulted in the 
discussion of a plan to offer new inducements to those willing to set- 
tle in New Netherland. 

Dc Lact, one of the partners of Kiliacit in Rensselaerswyck, pro- 
posed a plan that gained the approbation of the Amsterdam Cham- 
ber but their High Mightinesses by no means approved of it. A 
new plan was offered by others 38 and was, like the first, referred by 
their High Mightinesses to a special committee for consideration, 



is to be found. It appears therefore that shortly after taking this resolve and before 
its execution, they were already considering a greater increase, up to one half of the 
capital. This at any rate was authorized in June 1639. N. de R. 

37 I have already said that van Twiller, as also the patroon, bought in a part of the 
cattle and was blamed for it; very unjustly, as I think, unless it can be proved that 
the departure of the colonists was owing to him. The Company's restrictions were 
much more likely the cause of it. N. de R. 

38 O'Callaghan claims that this was the project given in the Holland Documents 
[Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. YJ], l:o6. In my opinion that can not be the second plan, 
which is I think the one printed in his History of New Netherland, 1:201—3, although 
it is there incorrectly described as a proclamation. Above, it will be seen that nothing 
ever came of the plan to gjve free trade to New Netherland, 



80 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

September 2, 1638. The new conditions granted the principle of 
free trade in New Netherland with the reservation of the Company's 
legitimate dues. The judgment of van Rensselaer in this matter 
may surely be quoted because his contemporaries seem to have 
shown their estimate of it when they appointed him as one of the 
impartial persons to whom was referred the question of free trade 
in Brazil. His letters show that he expected no relief for New 
Netherland from such a measure ; indeed, he wrote to one of the 
members of the committee, JJir. Gerrit van Arnhem, that he did not 
approve of the plan and insisted now more than ever upon the 
maintenance of his rights. 30 

The Assembly of the Nineteen did not consider it with favor 
either. It was feared that the opening of New Netherland to trade 
instead of promoting colonization, would give rise to the establish- 
ment of trading posts 40 and it seems that their High Mightinesses, 
for the same reason, dared not risk free trade. Nothing therefore 
came of it. A concession was made to the free traders by giving 
the colonists, in 1639, the fur trade privilege discussed before in 
May 1638. 41 

So far had matters progressed when, in the fall of 1639, in spite 
of the secrecy with which matters were managed in the Amsterdam 
Chamber, Kiliaen, whose directorship in the West India Company 
had expired several years before, found out that they were discuss- 
ing new Freedoms and Exemptions with the evident intention — 
quite to his mind — of urging rich men to found new patroonships. 
These Freedoms were, however, not so liberal as the first of 1628- 
29. The preamble stated that the privileges would apply to those 
patroons who had already planted colonies as well as to those about 
to do so. This was enough to make Kiliaen feel that his rights 
would be curtailed if the plan were accepted. Therefore, appar- 
ently in order expressly to call the attention of the directors to 
this point, he presented a protest to the Assembly on October 27, 
1639, whereby he sought assurance regarding it. 42 But he did not 
stop there. The friendly Jhr. van Arnhem was called upon; 

In my opinion the project mentioned in Holt. Doc. \Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y.], 
l:o6, refers to a later plan to improve the situation of New Netherland. 
Concerning this also I refer to the following pages. N. r>E R. 

39 Van Rensselaer felt that the best plan of colonization was by the admission of 
patroons. They could put capital in the business but stay at home, and the less 
favcred by fortune, whom they sent over, could make capital fruitful. So the rich 
and the poor would help one another. N. de R. 

40 The view given here of the difficulties of those days, formed as I think on incon- 
testable grounds, differs wholly from that conveyed by O'Callaghnn. History of New 
Netherland, 1:197. N. de R. 

41 Letter to Schout Planck, May 10, 16.18 [p. 411-16]. N. de R. 
4 - Totocol of Notary 7. van de Ven, Amsterdam. N. df. R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 8l 

Musch, the secretary, was persuaded to forestall the possible ap- 
probation of their High Mightinesses by presenting a petition to 
them, praying that the patroon might at least be heard about this 
project and, in case of its adoption, that he might receive a cer- 
tificate de 11011 praejudicando. iZ I think it not impossible that a 
second proposal granting the patroons still greater rights than 
those of 1629 was introduced into the Assembly by persons planning 
to found new colonies. I do not know what became of these pro- 
posals. In his letter to Jonker van Arnhein, Kiliacn says that they 
were unfavorably received by the States General. 

It is certain that a revival in American colonial affairs fol- 
lowed the revocation of the fur trade monopoly. Just at this time 
Count van Solms proposed to found a colony and Cornells Melijn 
was empowered to do likewise, departing soon after for Staten 
Island, as patroon. 

O'Callaghan's statement seems to me quite incomprehensible and 
unfounded, that in the year 1638 " the trade as well as the cul- 
tivation of the soil was thrown open to every person, whether 
denizen or foreigner, who chose to embark in it." For when I 
read in the subjects for discussion named in the call for the meet- 
ing of February 21, 1643, the following clause given by the com- 
piler of the Holland Documents himself, 44 " It being found . . . 
that the plan " — mark this word — " of opening the trade . . . 
produces no true effect," then I do not doubt that these projects 
came to naught. O'Callaghan confuses the fur trading privileges 
given the colonists with a free trade such as the Company granted 
Brazil. In New Netherland all went on pretty much as of old. 
The population increased, but through a ruinous desire to get rich 
they bartered weapons in return for the much desired furs from 
the natives, who after a few years made use of these arms to 
slaughter the white inhabitants. 

In many respects the situation at Rensselaerswyck was not ac- 
cording to the patroon's wishes. Disobedience to his appointed 
authorities was of frequent occurrence ; the contraband trade of 
the colonists robbed him of half his profits. The colonists might 
trade with the patroon's commis, but not with natives or outsiders, 
although Kiliacn was inclined to overlook this a little in those 
who zealously applied themselves to farming and cattle-raising. 45 



4:1 acta 'ran non-pracjuditic ; cf. p. 465, 466—67. 

44 O'Callaghan, Holland Documents [Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y.~\, l:i3S- Compare 
herewith the Instructions, I:i62, paragraph 6, and the Report 1:246. paragraph 2. 
N. de R. 

"Letter to Sellout Planck May 10, 1638 [p. 411-16]. N. de R. 



82 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

It was scandalous that the supercargo of the ship Rcnssclaersivijck 
had tempted the colonists to engage in this forbidden trade, thus 
evading the payment of duties to the Company. He had indeed 
by a full confession, arising from repentance, enabled his master 
to get redress from the disobedient colonists, but this gave rise to 
all kinds of difficulties for the schout and schepens, since an evil 
spirit had entered into the colony of enriching themselves at the 
patroon's cost and in spite of the contracts made with him. 

We have seen the conditions upon which the farmers came to 
Rensselaerswyck. As a rule they were people of no means who 
must take an advance from the patroon in order to fit themselves 
out as best they could and they saw their debt also increased by the 
expenses of the journey. The patroon was therefore the creditor 
of most of them when they landed in his colony, and since they 
could obtain all kinds of necessaries 40 in exchange for farm prod- 
ucts only from the patroon through his commis they soon got 
deeper in debt when there was a scant harvest. This might per- 
haps come right by degrees, but surely not by a measure which 
displeased him greatly, namely that without informing him the 
farmers had raised the wages of farm laborers. By this means, 
the receipts would be diminished and the hoped-for time deferred 
when the partners should enter upon the enjoyment of the profits, 
whilst again and again assessments, of only a few hundred guilders 
it is true, must be raised for the shortage caused by the admin- 
istration. 

On his side the patroon gave all sorts of instructions. One thing 
which he had continually in mind was the care of the spiritual wel- 
fare of his colonists. Although people assembled regularly every 
Sunday for prayer and song, he wished that the colony might find 
means to pay for a minister, but the 300 guilders which Planck 
had for that purpose did not appear sufficient to the patroon to 
induce a servant of the Gospel to change his post for the colony; 
indeed, the proposed church, having a granary on the second floor, 
woidd not, he thought, offer a sufficiently tempting opportunity to 
a hesitating minister. At this time there was little inclination for 
emigration. The plague had made fearful ravages and had not 
yet vanished. Every working force could he employed at home. 
In the years from 1638 to 1040 the patroon could find only a few- 
inclined to join his agricultural colony. 

The death rate was also very great in Amsterdam and could not 



" ; Kiliaen had given stricl orders thai the prices of Roods should not be raised so as 
to exhaust the colonists, " that they might profit a little." N. DE I-'- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 83 

fail to cause van Rensselaer serious consideration. He had many 
children; how would they fare if he should perish, as so many had? 
So he wished to make disposition in regard to Rensselaerswyck, 
which he was at liberty to do according to article 7 of the conceded 
Freedoms. He therefore applied, in November 1639, to tne Nine- 
teen for this permission. It seems that the patroon, who as we 
have said had a three fifths interest in the enterprise, had taken 
this step without the knowledge of his partners ; in no wise to 
mislead them, for who, better than he, could know that as directors 
it would come immediately to the notice of Blommaert and de Lact? 
Van Rensselaer was too noble and honorable a man to do any- 
thing but what he thought to be right. But it seems that de Laet, 
and soon the other partners also, took quite a different view of their 
mutual relations. Kiliaeu was certainly the administrator and 
owner of more than half of the colony, but they had also had rights, 
and rights equal to the patroon's. What else was he planning than 
to place himself, at their expense, in possession of the whole 
colony? They began to suspect him, to confer together and to 
devise measures distasteful to the patroon ; and when he pressed for 
settlement, this, to his great surprise, was refused by de Lact, 
unless the patroon would declare how he understood the patroon- 
ship. Although he said that he intended to defraud none of his 
partners, but only, in what concerned himself, to insist on the 
rights and prerogatives granted to the patroon by the sixth article 
of the Freedoms, that did not help him. De Laet remained un- 
willing to pay 47 the sum already owing, which had been advanced 
by the patroon, and he as well as the other partners would not even 
meet with the patroon for the discussion of necessary measures. 

From the letters which van Rensselaer wrote as well to de Laet 
as to Muyssart in the years 1640 and 1641, we may learn what the 
partners wanted. 48 

It seems that they considered themselves owners of a part of 
the colony equivalent to their share, while the patroon asserted that 
they were coowners of the whole. They insisted therefore not 
only upon the division of the colony into the five lordships, of 
which it consisted, 49 but desired also to enter upon the enjoyment 
of manorial rights and to exercise the same over such portions as 



47 Toussaint Muyssart seems to have paid. TTe had need to keep friends with the 
patroon since he supplied duffel, blankets and similar articles. N. de R. 

' IS Letter of Kiliacn ran Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart at Leyden, May 7, 1640 
[p. |68 ;il. X. de R. 

w Compare the Account of jurisdiction, etc., Appendix E [p. 306—12 of this volume]. 
They intended to allot three of these lordships to the; family of van Rensselaer and 
two to the partners. N. de R. 



84 new york State library 

should be allotted to them. The patroon pointed out that this con- 
flicted with the sixth article of the Freedoms, which recognized 
only one patroon entrusted with jurisdiction and also with the con- 
ditions by which the four patroons had bound themselves and with 
the facts, proved by the administration, the appointment of officials 
and engaging of colonists, all of which measures were executed by 
the patroon without the interposition of his partners ; and finally, 
by the deeds of the territories, which stood exclusively in his name. 
But he also proved that from a practical point of view the division 
would not be advantageous. How could one divide the grist-mill, 
the sawmill, the brewery? What would become of the shoemaker, 
the blacksmith or the carpenter? Now each one of them could 
find work because the colony was undivided. And how vexatious 
it would be when the farm laborers, who so willingly changed from 
farm to farm, should go over from one independent part of the 
colony to another? The patroon argued, and we believe rightly, 
that it would cause the downfall of the colony. To keep control 
in one hand was needful. What use was it for him to bring up 
every matter of common interest for discussion, when he, as owner 
of three fifths, could always outvote the others? 50 

It would be most unjust that he who continually and quite alone 
had been diligent in the matter and brought it to good results with 
great promise in the near future, should now, without ground for 
questioning his management or his accounts, be removed from the 
government by his partners, of whom Mr dc Laet had never given 
himself the trouble even to break a lance for the colony in the 
Assembly of the Nineteen. 

He was not disinclined to concession. For instance, he was 
willing to assign some farms to the partners, if his overlordship, 
his higher and lower jurisdiction and his manorial rights were sub- 
mitted to and recognized. He was even willing to grant them per- 
mission to nominate persons to office provided that the commissions 
were given by the patroon. The jurisdiction was indivisible. The 
Freedoms granted to the patroons in 1628-29 spoke of no separa- 
tion. If the partners wished to have exclusive possession of a 
farm or even of one of the territories, the relations between them 
and the patroon must be those of vassal and lord. If they would 
agree to this, he would cede them the possession of one fifth of 
the intermediate and one tenth of the lower jurisdictions. 

Such a bond did not attract the partners, especially dc Laet, who 



50 In order to demonstrate how intolerable this would be, the patroon referred to 
the example of Mr Godijn, whose colony perished because he was unable to secure 
agreement in its management. N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 85 

made himself their spokesman. They desired free rule, freedom 
of jurisdiction, and rebelled at the idea of resigning the slightest 
fraction of freedom for " nonfreedom," as they perversely viewed 
it, under the patroon. 

Although they had now won over the patroon to the idea of an 
actual division into lordships, they held on to the scheme of coad- 
ministration and co jurisdiction with the lord paramount, not allow- 
ing themselves, for the present at least, to be convinced of its 
practical impossibility by the appeal of Kiliaen. 

In the meantime, van Rensselaer had gained the Company's con- 
sent to make disposition by his last will and testament as he pleased 
of the property he held in fief, and on January 29, 1641, he sought 
the approval of the States General, which was granted to him by 
letters patent of February 5 following. 51 

From the wording of the grant thus obtained by him, it is most 
evident that the patroon believed a settlement with his partners 
possible on the basis of recognition of his feudal rights. We read 
indeed, in a quotation from the actual words of his request, that 
he wished to dispose of this " for the benefit of his children, 
friends, relatives and also strangers, as he may please and see fit." 
Under the words " strangers " he may be supposed to have really 
provided for the interests of his partners. 

The partners debated for some months whether they should go 
to law but appear to have abandoned this plan. We hear no more 
of the matter during the patroon's lifetime. They became good 
friends again and went on with the work of annually dispatching a 
good-sized consignment of merchandise to the colony. They paid 
their assessments but not until after they had expressly reserved 
their rights by the protest of July I, 1641. ' 

So these difficulties were taken out of the way of van Rensse- 
1aer. &u 



61 See O'Callaghan, Holland Documents [Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. Y.], 1:124. The 
original instrument of the same date. p. 125, is among the archives of the Bowier 
family [see p. 537—39 of this volume]. N. de R. 

H « Here ends the second article by Mr de Roever on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 
Mr de Roever intended to continue the account, but first pressing duties in connection 
with the transfer of the city archives, then the death of his wife and finally his own 
sudden death on March 11, 1893, prevented him from completing his task. 



86 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Charter of the West India Company M 
June 3, 162 1 
Original text 

Octroy, By de Hooge Mogende Heeren Staten Generael, verleent 
aende West-Indische Compagnie, in date den derden Iunij 162 1. 

De Staten Generael tier Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den 
geenen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. 
DUEN TE WETEN, dat Wy bemerckende den welstant deser Lan- 
den, ende welvaren vande Ingesetenen van dien, principalijck te 
bestaen by de Scheep-vaert ende Koophandel, die van alien ouden 
tijden uyt de selve Landen geluckelijck ende met grooten zegen 
ghedreven is geweest, op alle Landen ende Koninghrijcken. SOO 
1ST, dat Wy begeerende dat de voorsz Ingesetenen, niet alleen by 
haere voorgaende Navigatie, Traffijcque ende Hanteringe werden 
gheconserveert, maer oock dat haer Traffijcque soo veel moghelijck 
souden mogen toe-nemen, bysonder in conformiteyt vande Tracta- 
ten, Alliantien, Verbonden ende Entrecoursen, op de Trafficque ende 
Zee-vaert met andere Princen, Republijcquen ende Volckeren 
eertijts gemaeckt, die wy in alien deelen punctuelick verstaen onder- 
houden ende achtervolght te moeten werden : Ende wy by experi- 
ence bevinden, dat sonder ghemeene hulpe, assistentie ende middelen 
van een Generale Compagnie, niet vruchtbaerlijcks inden Quartieren 
hier naer ghedesigneert, ghedreven, beschermt ende gemainteneert 
en kan werden, mits de groote avonture van Zee-rooveryen, ex- 
torsien ende andersints, die op soo groote verre reysen zijn vallende, 
Soo hebben wy midts verscheyden ende andere pregnante redenen 
ende consideratien ons daer toe moverende, met rijpe deliberatie van 
Raede, cndc uyt hooch-dringende oorsaecken, goet gevonden, dat die 
Scheep-vaert, llandelinge ende Commercien inde quartieren van 



'"- For reasons stated in the introduction, it has been deemed advisable to prefix to the 
translations of the Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss the fundamental documents regulating 
the organization and internal management of the West India Company. The charter 
was first issued in Dutch, in pamphlet form, in 1621 (Asher, Bibliographical Essay, 
p. 99, no. 54); reprinted in pamphlet form with the amplifications of June 10, 1622, 
and Feb. 13, 1623, and the agreement of June 21, 1623, in 1623, 1624, 1629 and 1642 
(Asher, no. 55-61); also printed in Dutch in de Laet, Historic ofte Iaerlijck Verhael, 
1644, introd. p. [7-16]; Groot Placaet Boeck, 1658-1797, vol. 1. col. 565-78; Aitzema, 
Saken van Staet en Oorlogh, 1669-72, 1:62-66; and Tjassens, Zee-Politic. 1670, p. 
305-17. The present copy follows the official text of the Groot Placaet Boeck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 87 

Charter of the West India Company 52a 

June 3, 1621 

Translation 

Charter granted by the High and Mighty Lords the States General 
to the West India Company, dated the 3d of June 162 1. 

The States General of the United Netherlands to all who shall 
see these presents or hear them read, greeting. He it known, that 
we, noticing that the prosperity of this country and the welfare 
of its inhabitants consist principally in navigation and trade, which 
from time immemorial has been carried on by this country with 
good fortune and great blessing with all countries and kingdoms; 
and desiring that the aforesaid inhabitants not only be maintained 
in their former navigation, commerce and trade, but also that their 
commerce may be increased as much as possible, especially in con- 
formity with the treaties, alliances, conventions and covenants con- 
cerning commerce and navigation formerly made with other 
princes, republics and nations, which we intend shall be punctually 
kept and observed in all their parts ; and finding by experience that 
without the common help, aid and means of a general company, 
no profitable business can be carried on, protected and maintained 
in the parts hereafter designated on account of the great risk from 
pirates, extortions and the like, which are incurred on such long 
and distant voyages ; we, therefore, many other and different preg- 
nant reasons and considerations also us thereunto moving, after 
mature deliberation of Council, and for very pressing causes, have 
resolved that the navigation, trade and commerce in the West 



r, - ;l The only translation of tins charter heretofore printed is the very imperfect one in 
Hazard, Historical Collections of State Papers, 1:121-31, literally reprinted in O'Cal- 
laghan, History of New Netherland, 1:399-407; for criticism of this see J. F. Jameson's 
article on Usselinx in Papers of the American Historical Association, 1887, 2:i6o, 
219-20. Translations, differing but slightly from the present, of the preamble and 
articles 1-3 and 45 appear in British Blue Book, Venezuela No. 3, (1896), p. 53-541 
of article _• in Report of the U. S. Commission on Boundary between Venezuela and 
British Guiana, 1896-97, l:no— n. 



88 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

West-Indien ende Africa ende anderen hier naer ghedesigneert, 
voortaen niet anders en sal werden gedreven, dan met gemeene 
vereenichde macht vande Koopluyden ende Ingesetenen deser Lan- 
den, ende dat tot dien eynde opgerecht sal worden eene Generale 
Compagnie, die wy uyt sonderlinge affectie tot den gemeynen wel- 
stant, ende omme de Ingestenen van dien te conserveren in goede 
Neeringhe ende welvaert, sullen mainteneren ende verstercken met 
onse hulpe, faveur ende assistentie, voor soo veel den jegenwoordi- 
gen staet ende ghestaltenisse der Landen eenichsins kan verdragen, 
ende daer toe te voorsien met behoorlijck Octroy, ende met de 
Privilegien ende Exemptien hier naer volgende, Te weten : 

I. Dat binnen den tijt van vier-en-twintich Jaren, niemant vande 
Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen deser Landen, anders dan alleen uyt 
den Naem van dese Vereenichde Compagnie uyt dese Vereenichde 
Nederlanden, nochte oock van buyten de selve Landen sal mogen 
varen ofte Negotieren op de Kusten ende Landen van Africa, van- 
den Tropico Cancri, tot Cabo de bonne Esperance, nochte op de 
Landen van America, ofte West-Indien, beginnende van't Zuyt- 
eynde van Terra Nova, door de Straten van Magellanes, le Maire, 
ofte andere Straten ende Passagien daer ontrent ghelegen, tot de 
Strate van Anjan, soo op de Noort-zee, als op de Zuyt-zee, nochte 
op eenige Eylanden aende eene ende andere zijden ende tusschen 
beyden gelegen; Mitsgaders op de Austraelsche ofte Zuyderlanden, 
streckende ende leggende tusschen beyde de Meridianen, raeckende 
in't Oosten de Cabo de bonne Esperance, ende in't Westen het Oost- 
eynde van Nova Guinea incluys. Ende soo wie sonder consent van 
dese Compagnie hem sal vervorderen te varen, ofte te Negotieren op 
eenige Plaetsen binnen de voorsz Limiten, dese Compagnie gheac- 
cordeert, dat sal zijn op de verbeurte vande Schepen ende Goederen, 
die bevonden sullen werden op de voorschreve Kusten ende Gewes- 
ten te handelen, de welcke datelijck ende al omme van wegen de 
voorschreve Compagnie, aengetast, ghenomen ende als verbeurt, 
ten behoeve van de selve gehouden sullen mogen werden. Ende in 
cas soodanige Schepen ofte Goederen verkocht mochten wesen, ofte 
in andere Landen ofte Havenen in-gheloopen, sullen de Reeders ende 
Participanten voor de waerde vande selve Schepen ende goederen 
mogen werden geexecuteert : Uytgesondert alleen, dat de geene die 
voor date van dit Octroy, uyt dese ofte andere Landen, op eenige 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 89 

Indies, Africa and other countries hereafter designated, shall 
henceforth not be carried on otherwise than with the common 
united strength of the merchants and inhabitants of this country 
and that to this end there shall be established a general company 
which, on account of our great love for the common weal and in 
order to conserve the trade and welfare of the inhabitants of this 
country, we will maintain and strengthen with our help, favor and 
assistance, so far as the present state and condition of this country 
will in any way admit, and for that purpose furnish with a proper 
charter and endow with the privileges and exemptions hereafter 
enumerated, to wit: 

I. That for the period of twenty-four years no native or in- 
habitant of this country .hall be permitted, except in the name of 
this United Company, from these United Netherlands nor even 
from any place outside of them, to sail to or trade with the coasts 
and countries of Africa, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of 
Good Hope; nor to or with the countries of America, or the West 
Indies, beginning at the south end of Terra Nova, through the 
Straits of Magellan, le Maire, and other straits and passages sit- 
uated thereabouts, to the Strait of Aiijan,™ neither on the North 
Sea nor on the South Sea, nor to or with any islands situated on 
the one side or the other, or between both ; nor to or with the 
Australian or South Lands, extending and lying between the two 
meridians of the Cape of Good Hope in the east, and of the east 
end of New Guinea in the west, inclusive. And whoever shall 
venture, without the consent of this Company, to sail to or to traffic 
with any places within the aforesaid limits granted to this Com- 
pany, shall forfeit the ships and goods which shall be found trad- 
ing upon the aforesaid coasts and lands, the which in the name of 
the aforesaid Company may immediately and everywhere be 
attached, seized and held as confiscated property for the behoof of 
the same. And in case such ship or goods shall have been sold 
or taken to other countries or ports, the owners and partners may 
be levied on for the value of those ships and goods ; except only, 
that they, who before the date of this charter shall have sailed 
from these or other countries to any of the aforesaid coasts, shall 



B Strait of Anjan; corresponding to Bering Strait. "Strictly speaking, the Strait 
of Air Tan is not laid down on the old maps at the same point as our Bering Strait: 
but that is only because the northern Pacific was unknown. As it was the strait 
supposed to divide America from Asia, it exactly coincides with Bering Strait as a 
limit." Report of U. S. Commission on Boundary between Venezuela and British 
Guiana, l:ioo. 



90 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

der voorsz Kusten uytgeloopen ofte uytgesonden zijn, limine hande- 
linge totten uytkoop haerder goederen, ende weder-kommen in dese 
Landen, ofte andersints, ter expiratie toe van haer Octroy, soo sy 
voor desen eenich hebben verkregen, sullen vermogen te continueren, 
ende langer niet: Behoudelick dat naer den eersten Julij sesthien 
hondert een ende twintich, dage, ende tijde des ingancks van desen 
Octroye, niemant eenige Schepen ofte goederen en sal vermogen 
uyt te seynden naer de Quartieren in desen Octroye begrepen, al- 
waer't dat voor date van dien dese Compagnie noch niet eyntelick 
en ware gesloten : Maer sullen daer inne voorsien sulcks als behoort, 
tegens den geenen die wetens in fraude van dese onse goede mee- 
ninge het ghemeene beste soecken te frustreren : Welverstaende dat 
de Zout-vaert op Ponte del Re sal mogen werden gecontinueert, op 
conditien ende Instructien by ons daer van verleden ofte te verlijden, 
sonder aen desen Octroye anders te wesen verbonden. 

II. Dat voorts de voorschreve Compagnie op onsen Name ende 
authoriteyt, binnen de Limiten hier vooren ghestelt, sal mogen 
maccken Contracten, Verbintenissen ende Alliancien met de Princen 
ende Naturelen vande Landen daer inne begrepen, mitsgaders al- 
daer eenige Fprtressen ende verseeckertheden bouwen, Gouvcr- 
neurs, Volck van Oorloge, ende Officers van Justitie, ende tot andere 
nootelijcke diensten, tot conservatie vande Plaetsen, onderhoudinge 
van goede ordre, Policie ende Justitie: Eensamentlijck tot voorde- 
ringe vande Neeringe stellen, deporteren ende af-stellen, ende weder- 
om andere in hare plaetse surrogueren, naer syluyden naer gelegent- 
heyt van saecken sullen bevinden te behooren ; Voorts populatie van 
vrucbtbare ende onbewoonde Quartieren mogen bevorderen, ende al- 
les doen dat den dienst der Landen, profijt ende vermeerderinge van- 
den handcl sal vereyschen. Ende sullen die vande Compagnie ons 
successivelijck communiceren, ende over-lcveren soodanige Contrac- 
ten ende Allianccn als sy mettc voorschreve Princen ende Natien sul- 
len hebben gemaeckt, mitsgaders de ghelegentheyt vanden Fortfes- 
sen, verseeckertheden ende populatien by henluyden ter handen 
genomen. 

III. Behoudelick dat sylieden eencn Gouverneur Generael ver- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 91 

be permitted to continue their trade till they have sold their goods 
and come back to this country, or otherwise until the expiration of 
their charter if they have been granted any before this date, and no 
longer. Provided, that after the first of July, sixteen hundred and 
twenty-one, the da)' and time of the commencement of this charter, 
no one shall be permitted to send any ships or goods to the places 
comprehended in this charter even if this Company should not 
be fully organized before that date; but proper provision shall 
be made against those who knowingly and fraudulently seek to 
frustrate our good intentions for the common weal ; it being under- 
stood that the salt trade at Poute del Re may be continued accord- 
ing to the conditions and instructions already given, or to be given 
by us respecting it, without being in any way restricted by this 
charter. 

II. That further the aforesaid Company, in our name and by 
our authority, within the limits hereinbefore set forth, shall have 
power to make contracts, leagues and alliances with the princes and 
natives of the countries therein comprised also to build any fort- 
resses and strongholds there; to appoint, 54 transfer, discharge and 
replace governors, troops and officers of justice and for other 
necessary services, for the preservation of the places, the main- 
tenance of good order, police and justice, in general for the 
furtherance of trade, as according to circumstances they shall see 
fit ; moreover, they may promote the settlement of fertile and unin- 
habited districts, and do all that the service of this country and the 
profit and increase of trade shall require. And the [directors] 
of the Company shall regularly communicate to us and transmit 
such contracts and alliances as they shall have made with the 
aforesaid princes and nations, likewise [report] the situation of 
the fortresses, strongholds and settlements by them begun. 



III. Provided that when they have chosen a governor general 



M The translation of art. 2 of this charter, in the Report of the U. S. Com- 
mission on Boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana, l:no, has at this point, 
in brackets, the word provide with the following footnote: "This important verb is 
omitted in the charter as printed in the Groot Placaet-Boek, in Aitzema, and in 
sens — and so, perhaps, in the original document; but it is supplied, in the new 
charter of 1674, as aenstellen." As a matter of fact, no such omission occurs, for the 
word stcllcn which appears further down in connection with the words deporteren 
endc af stellen, refers back to governors, troops and officers of justice. 



(J2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

kooren. ende voor hem Instructie geconcipieert hebbende, de selve 
dacr naer by ons geapprobecrt ende Commissie ghcgcven sal worden, 
Ende dat voorts soodanigen Gouverneur Generael, soo wel als an- 
dere Vice-Gouverneurs, Commandcurs ende Officieren, gehouden 
sullen wesen den eedt van getrouwicheyt aen ons te doen, ende oock 
aende Compagnie. 

IV. Ende indien de voorsz Compagnie op eenige der voorsz Plaet- 
sen in schijn van vrientschap bedrogen, ofte qualijck ghetracteert 
mochte werden, ofte dat in 't vertrouwen van eenige Penningen ofte 
Koopmanschappen, de selve sonder restitutie ofte betalinge daer 
van te genieten, gehouden worden, dat sy de schade naer ghelegent- 
heyt der saecken, ende naer dat sy best sullen vermogen, sullen doen 
repareren, deur alsulcke middelen als men gevoechlijck sal konnen 
doen. 

V. Ende alsoo tot plantinge, verseeckeringe ende defensie van 
desen handel, oock noodich sal zijn eenich Krijghs-volck mede te 
nemen, sullen wy naer de constitutie van't Landt ende gelegentheyt 
van saecken, de voorsz Compagnie voorsien met soodanich Volck 
van Oorloge, van Commandement ende van Fortificatien, als noodich 
sal wesen, mits dat die by de Compagnie sullen worden betaelt ende 
onderhouden. 

VI. De welcke boven den Eedt die sy aen ons ende Sijn Excel- 
lentie hebben gedaen, oock sweeren sullen, het Commandement van- 
de voorsz Compagnie te volgen, ende hare saecken te helpen voorde- 
ren naer haer beste vermogen. 

VII. Dat de Provoosten vande Compagnie aen Lant sullen mogen 
apprehendercn het Krijgs-volck ende ander Volck van Oorloge, dat 
hen in dienste vande voorsz Compagnie begeven heeft, ende de 
gheapprchendeerde t'Scheep brcngen, 't zy in wat Steden, Plaet- 
sen ofte Jurisdictien van dese Landen de selve bevonden mochten 
werden, Mits dat de Provoosten te vooren sullen aenspreken d'Offi- 
ciers ende Magistraten vande Steden ende Plaetsen daer sulcks valt. 

VIII. Dat wy egeen Schepen, Geschut ofte Ammunitien van dese 
Compagnie tot dienste deser Landen en sullen nemen, dan met con- 
sent vande selve Compagnie. 

IX. Hebben voorts dese Compagnie gheoctroyeert, geprivilegeert 
ende ghegunt, octroyeren ende gunncn mits desen, dat sy met alle 
hare Schepen ende goederen vry sullen mogen passeren voor-by 
alle Tollen eenige der Vereenichde Provincien toekomende, ende 
dat sy de selve vryheyt sullen gebruycken in sulcker voegen als de 
vrye Ingesetencn vande Steden deser Landen daer inne hare vrydom- 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 93 

and prepared instructions for him, the same must be approved, 
and the commission given by us ; and further, that such governor 
general, as also other vice governors, commanders and officers, 
shall be obliged to take the oath of allegiance to us and also to the 
Company. 

IV. And if the aforesaid Company in any of the aforesaid places 
be cheated under the pretense of friendship or badly treated, or if 
any money or goods entrusted by them be kept without their re- 
ceiving restitution or payment, they may according to circumstances 
and the best of their ability cause the loss to be made good by all 
such means as can properly be employed. 



V. And as it will also be necessary for the establishment, security 
and defense of this trade to take some troops along, we will, ac- 
cording to the condition of the country and the situation of affairs, 
furnish the said Company with such troops for field and garrison 
duty as shall be necessary, provided they be paid and supported 
by the Company. 

VI. Which troops, besides the oath already taken to us and to 
his Excellency, shall swear to obey the commands of the said Com- 
pany and to help promote their interests to the utmost of their 
ability. 

VII. That the provosts of the Company on shore shall have 
power to apprehend any soldiers* or other of the military that 
have enlisted in the service of the aforesaid Company and to eon 
fine them on board ship in whatever city, place or jurisdiction of 
this country they may be found; provided the provosts first inform 
the officers and magistrates of the cities and places where this 
occurs. 

VIII. That we will not take any ships, ordnance or ammunition 
belonging to the Company, for the use of this country, except 
with the consent of the said Company. 

IX. We have further granted, privileged and conceded this Com- 
pany, and do hereby grant and concede, that they may pass freely 
with all their ships and goods without paying toll to any of the 
United Provinces and that they may use this freedom in the same 
manner as the free inhabitants of the cities of this country enjoy 



94 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

men zijn genietende, oock niet tegenstaende eenige onvrye Per- 
soonen in dese Compagnie zijn participerende. 

X. Dat alle de goederen die dese Compagnie, gheduyrende den 
tijdt van acht eerst-komende Jaren, sullen uyt dese Landen voeren 
nae de quartieren van West-Indien ende Africa, ende andere 
binnen de voorsz Limiten begrepen, ende die sy van daer in dese 
Landen sullen brengen, sullen wesen vry van uytgaende ende 
inkomende Convoyen : Welverstaende by soo verre naer de expiratie 
vande voorschreve acht Jaren, den Staet ende gelegentheyt deser 
Landen niet toe en laet dien vrydom van acht Jaeren noch voor een 
tijdt van Jaeren te continueren, dat de selve goederen daer naer, 
nochte oock de waren uyt de quartieren in desen Octroye gedesig- 
neert, ghekomen, ende wederom uyt desen Lande gaende, inde 
uytgaende Convoyen ende Licenten, geduyrende den gheheelen tijdt 
van desen Octroye, niet hooger by ons sullen werden beswaert, dan 
die jegenwoordelijck beswaert zijn, ten ware wy wederom in Oor- 
loge quamen te geraecken, in welcken ghevalle alle de voorschreve 
goederen ende Waren niet hooger by ons en sullen werden beswaert, 
als die op de laeste Lijste by tijde vanden Oorloge beswaert zijn 
gheweest. 

XI. Ende op dat dese Compagnie soude mogen bestaen by een 
goede Regieringe, ten meesten profijte ende contentement van alle 
de Participanten, Soo hebben Wy geordonneert, dat de selve Regie- 
ringe sal bestaen in vijf Kameren van Bewinthebberen, als een bin- 
nen Amsterdam, die hebben sal de administratie van vier negende- 
parten : een Kamer in Zeelandt, voor twee negende-parten : Een Ka- 
mer op de Maze, voor een negende-part : Een Kamer in 't Noor- 
der-quartier, voor een negende-part: Ende de vijfde Kamer in 
Vrieslandt, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen mede voor een negende- 
part, op de Conditie in het Register van onse Resolutien gestelt, ende 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 95 

their freedom, notwithstanding some persons who are not free 
should be members of this Company. 

X. That all the goods which this Company during- the eight next 
ensuing years shall carry out of this country to the West Indies 
and Africa, and other places comprised within the aforesaid limits, 
and those which they shall bring thence into this country shall be 
exempt from outgoing and ingoing convoy charges ; 55 provided, 
that if at the expiration of the aforesaid eight years, the state and 
condition of this country will not admit of this eight years' free- 
dom's continuing for another term of years, then outgoing convoy 
charges and license fees 50 on the said goods and merchandise 
coming from the places mentioned in this charter and again ex- 
ported from this country, during the whole term of this charter 
shall not be rated higher by us than they are rated at present; 
unless we should be again engaged in war, in which case all the 
aforesaid goods and merchandises shall not be rated higher by us 
than they were in the last list in time of war. 



XL And in order that this Company may have a good govern- 
ment, to the greatest profit and satisfaction of all the participants, 
we have ordained that the said government shall be vested in five 
Chambers of directors — one at Amsterdam which shall have the 
management of four ninths ; one Chamber in Zealand, of two ninths ; 
one Chamber on the Maze, of one ninth ; one Chamber in the Noor- 
der-quartier, 57 of one ninth ; and the fifth Chamber in Friesland to- 
gether with Stadt aide Landen, 58 also of one ninth — upon the 
conditions set forth in the register of our resolutions and the aefree- 



65 Convoyen; import and export duties levied in 1572 by the province of Holland 
and after 1577 by the States General for the support of the navy and which entitled 
merchantmen sailing in company to protection by war vessels. 

60 Licenten; fees paid for license to trade to the enemy's country, first established in 
1573 by the province of Zealand and after 1577 paid to the States General for the 
support of the navy. Both taxes, the Convoyen and Licenten, remained in force after 
the treaty of Munster, 1648, but had by that time assumed the character of ordinary 
import and export duties. See Groot Placaet Boeck, 1:2264-2555; Jhr J. C. de Jonge, 
Geschiedcnis van het Nederlandsche Zecwesen, 1:184-88; Robert Fruin, Geschiedenis der 
Staatsinstellingen in Nederland, p. 189. 

67 Noorderkwariier ; the former name of that part of the present province of Nortli 
Holland situated north of the IJ and the Wijker-meer; it included the seven cities: 
Alkmaar, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Edam, Monnikendam, Medemblik and Purmerende. 

68 Stad en Lande, or Stad en Ommclanden; former name of the province of Groningen, 
referring to the city of Groningen with its surrounding territory and the three country 
districts Hunsingo, Fivelgo and Westerkwartier. 



o/5 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

de Acte daer van verleden : Ende sullen de Provintien inde welcke 
geen Kameren en sullen zijn, met soo vele Bewkitbebberen werden 
geaccommodeert, ende over de respective Kameren verdeelt, als 
sylieden hondert duysenden guldens in dese Compagnie furneren 
sullen. 

XII. Dat de Kamer van Amsterdam sal bestaen van tvvintich Be- 
winthebbers: De Kamer van Zeelandt van twaelf: De Kameren 
vandc Maze ende van't Noorder-quartier, elck van veertien : Ende 
de Kamere van Vrieslandt, mitsgaders van Stadt ende Landen, 
mede van veertien Bewinthebbers : Ten ware naemaels bevonden 
wort, dat dit werck niet anders dan met meerder getal van Per- 
soonen uytgevoert sonde konnen werden, in welcken gevalle 't sol- 
ve met kennisse vande negenthicn, ende met onse goet-vindinge, en- 
de anders niet, sal mogen werden vermeerdert. 

XIII. Ende werden de Staten vande respective Vereenichde Pro- 
vintien gheauthoriseert, 't zy voor hun Ed: Mog: baere ordinarise 
Gedeputeerdens, ofte voor de Magistraten der Steden haerer Pro- 
vincie, soodanige odre te stellen op de aenteyckeninge vande Partici- 
panten, mitsgaders de verkiesinge vande Bewinthebberen, als sy naer 
de Constitutie vande selve haere Provintie sullen bevinden te be- 
hooren : Mits dat niemant inde Kamer van Amsterdam tot Bewint- 
hebber verkooren sal worden, dan die geene die inde Compagnie 
voor sijn eygen sal participeren ter somnie van ses duysent guldens: 
inde Kamer van Zeelant, ter somme van vier duysent gulden: ende 
inde Kameren vandc Maze, van 't Noorder-quartier ende van 
Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen, ter somme van ghelijcke 
vier duysent guldens. 

XIV. Dat de eerste Bewinthebbers sullen dienen den tijt van ses 
Jaren, ende dal men de selve overstreken xi jmlc, eerst by lotinge 
^.il veranderen ecu derde-parf van '( getal vande Bewinthebbers, en- 



van Rensselaer boWier manuscripts 97 

ment 59 drawn up respecting it. And the provinces in which there 
are no Chambers shall be accommodated with as many directors, 
divided among- the respective Chambers, as the number of hun- 
dred thousand guilders which they shall furnish to the Company. 

XII. That the Chamber of Amsterdam shall consist of twenty 
directors; the Chamber of Zealand of twelve; the Chambers of the 
Maze and of the N oorder-quartier each of fourteen ; and the Cham- 
ber of Friesland together with Stadt aide Landen also of fourteen 
directors. If it shall hereafter appear that this work can not be 
carried on without a greater number of persons, then more may be 
added after notice to the Nineteen and our approbation, but not 
otherwise. 

XIII. And the States of the respective united provinces are 
authorized to make such regulations, either for their Noble 
Mightinesses' ordinary deputies 00 or for the magistrates of the 
cities of their province, concerning the registration of the partici- 
pants and the election of directors, as they think proper, according 
to the constitution of their province; provided that no person in 
the Chamber of Amsterdam shall be chosen a director who shall not 
in his own name participate in the Company for the sum of six 
thousand guilders ; in the Chamber of Zealand for four thousand 
guilders; and in the Chambers of the Maze, of the N oorder-quartier, 
and of Friesland, with Stadt endc Landen, for the like sum of four 
thousand guilders. 

XIV. That the first directors shall serve for the term of six 
years and that at the expiration of the said term, first one third 
part of the number of directors, selected by lot, shall be changed ; 



r '° A fifth chamber, to have one ninth of the capital, was reluctantly conceded to 
Friesland and Gronigen upon their signing an agreement dat se hen daar meede sullen 
houden vcrnieuwt, en vorder daar in niet moogen pretendeeren; en decsen in he.t 
reguard van dc Ooslindische Compagnie by continuatie, of vcrleenen van nienw Octroy 
voor deselve trekken in consequent™, tnaar dc equipatie en Kamcre daar van laaten, 
soo en ter plaatsc deselve jeegenivoordig zyn — that they will rest satisfied herewith and 
make no further claims; and that they will not make this a precedent in case of ex- 
tension or renewal of the charter of the East India Company, but leave the organization 
and the chamber thereof as and at the place where they arc at present. Resolutions 
of Holland and West Friesland, Sept. 19, 1620. See also J. F. Jameson, Willem 
Usselinx {Papers of the American Historical Association, 1886-87, 2:217-18). 

m The Deputy States; an executive committee appointed by the Provincial States for 
the transaction of daily business. 



98 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

de twee Jaren daer nae gelijcke derde-part, ende d'andere twee vol- 
gende Jaeren het leste derde-part, ende voorts successivelick de 
outste in dienste zijnde laten afgaen: Ende dat in plaetse vande 
afgaende, ofte vanden geenen die voor ofte naer soude mogen 
aflijvich, oft om andere redenen verlaten worden, by de Bewint- 
hebberen, soo blijvende als af-gaende, mitsgaders by de Hooft-Par- 
ticipanten die in Persoone, ende op hare kosten daer by sullen willen 
komen, drie andere sullen worden genomineert, uyt welcke- de 
voorsz respective Provintien, Gedeputeerdens ofte Magistraten, 
nieuwe Electie van Bewinthebber sullen doen, ende de vacante Plaet- 
sen successivelick suppleren. Ende sullen voor Hooft-Participanten 
ghehouden worden, die voor hun eygen soo veel participeren als de 
respective Bewinthebberen zijn doende. 

XV. Dat men de rekeninge vande equipagie en uyt-rustinge vande 
Schepen mette dependentien van dien, sal doen drie Maenden naer 
't vertreck vande Schepen, ende een Maent daer na Copyen aen ons, 
ende aende respective Kameren seynden : Ende vande retouren, mits- 
gaders vande verkoopinge der selver, sullen de Kameren (soo dick- 
wils wy dat goet sullen vinden, oft sy- vande Kameren daer toe 
versocht werden) Staet aen ons, ende aen malkanderen over 
schicken. 

XVI. Dat men alle ses Jaren sal maecken generale Reeckeninge 
van alle uytreedingen ende retouren, mitsgaders van winste ende 
verlies vande Compagnie, te weten, een vande Negotie, ende een van- 
der Oorloge, elck apart : Welcke Reeckeninge in 't openbaer sullen 
worden gedaen, naer voorgaende affixie van billetten, ten eynde ye- 
der een daer by Interest hebbende, op 't hooren vande selve reecken- 
inge sal mogen komen : Ende indien voor de expiratie van 't sevende 
Jaer, de Reeckeninge in manieren voorschreve niet werden gedaen, 
sullen de Bewinthebberen verbenren heure Provisien, die tot prof- 
fijt vanden Armen sullen werden bekeert, ende syluyden evenwel 
ghehouden blijven haere Reeckeninge als vooren te doen, binnen 
sulcken tijde, ende op soodanige peynen, als by ons tegens de ge- 
breeckigen sullen werden gestatueert. Ende sal niet te min onder- 
tusschen vande winste vande Negotien uytdeelinge gedaen worden, 
so dickwils als men bevinden sal datter thien ten hondert geprofij- 
teert sal zijn. 

XVII. Niemant sal, gheduerende den tijdt van desen Octroye, sijn 
Capitael ofte ingheleyde Penningen uyt dese Compagnie mogen tree- 
ken : Gelijck men oock gheen nieuwe Participanten sal mogen inne- 
men: Dan indien ter expiratie van vier en twintich Jaren mochte 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 99 

and two years after a like third part; and again after two years, 
the last third part ; and thenceforth successively, the oldest in the 
service shall be retired; and in the place of [each] retiring director 
or of such as shall at any time die, or for other reason leave a va- 
cancy, three others shall be nominated by the directors, both remain- 
ing and retiring, together with those chief participants who in per- 
son and at their own expense shall care to join them, from which 
number the aforesaid respective provinces, deputies or magistrates, 
shall elect new directors and successively supply the vacancies; and 
they shall be considered chief participants who in their own name 
participate for the same amount as the respective directors. 



XV. That the accounts of the equipment and fitting out of the 
ships, with their appurtenances, shall be rendered three months 
after the departure of the ships and that one month thereafter 
copies shall be sent to us and to the respective Chambers; and the 
Chambers shall (as often as we see fit or they are requested by the 
[other] Chambers) send to us and to each other an account of the 
returns and also of the sales of the same. 

XVI. That every six years a general accounting shall be made 
of all outfits and returns, as also of all gains and losses of the Com- 
pany, to wit, one relating to trade and one relating to war, each 
separate ; which accounts shall be rendered publicly, notices being 
previously posted, to the end that every one who is interested may 
attend the hearing of the said accounts ; and if before the expira- 
tion of the seventh year the accounts are not rendered in the manner 
aforesaid, the directors shall forfeit their commissions, which shall 
be appropriated to the use of the poor, and they shall nevertheless 
be held to render their accounts as aforesaid within .such time and 
under such penalty as shall be fixed by us respecting the delinquents. 
And none the less a dividend shall meantime be declared from the 
profits of the trade as often as it shall be found that ten per cent 
has been gained. 



XVII. No one shall be permitted during the continuance of this 
charter to withdraw his capital or sums advanced from this Com- 
pany; nor shall any new participants be admitted. If at the expira- 
tion of twenty-four years it shall be judged well to continue this 



IOO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

goet ghevonden werden dese Compagnie te continueren, ofte een 
Nieuwe op te rechten, sal finale Reeckeninge ende estimatie by de 
Negenthien met onse kennisse ghedaen worden, van alle 't geene dese 
Compagnie is toe-behoorende, als oock vande nootelijcke kosten die 
by de selve zijn gedaen, ende yeder een vermogen na de voorsz 
af-rekeninge ende ghedane estimatien, sijne Pgnningen te lichten, 
ofte inde volgende Compagnie na advenant van dien, in 't gheheel 
ofte deel, te continueren ofte participeren. Ende sal in sulcken 
gevalle de volgende Compagnie de restanten, die volgens de 
Reeckeninge ende estimatie bevonden sullen worden, tot haren laste 
moeten nemen : Ende de Participanten, die inde Compagnie niet sul- 
len goet vinden te continueren, haer contingent betalen, op alsulcke 
termijnen als de Negenthien met onse kennisse ende goet-vinden 
sullen bevinden te behooren. 

XVIII. Dat soo dickwils het van noode sal zijn een Generale ver- 
gaderinge vande voorsz Kameren te houden, 't selve sal geschieden 
by negentien Persoonen, daer inne uyt de Kamer van Amsterdam 
sullen compareren acht : uyt Zeelant vier : vande Maze twee : uyt het 
Noorder-quartier twee : uyt Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Lan- 
den twee. Welverstaende dat den negenthienden Persoon, ofte soo 
veel meer als wy t' elckens sullen goet vinden, by ons sal worden 
gedeputeert, omme inde voorsz Vergaderinge de saecke vande Com- 
pagnie ten besten te helpen dirigeren. 

XIX. Van welcke Generale Vergaderinge vande voorschreve Ka- 
meren, alle saecken dese Compagnie aengaende, verhandelt ende be- 
slooten sullen werden : Welverstaende dat in saecken van Oorloge op 
de genomen Resolutie, versocht sal worden onse approbatie. 

XX. De voorschreve Generale Vergaderinge beschreven zijnde. 
sal te samen komen om te resolveren, wanneer men sal equiperen, 
hoe veel Schepen men op elck Quartier sal.senden, de Compagnie 
in 't gemeen betreffende, sonder dat d'een oft d'ander Kamer yet 
sal mogen aenrichten buy ten de voorschreve gemeene Resolutien. 
maer sullen ghehouden zijn de selve te effectueren ende in 't werck 
te stellen. Ende indien eenige Kamer bevonden werde in ghe- 
breecke te zijn de ghemeene Resolutien te achtervolgen, ofte te con- 
travenieren, Hebbcn Wy de selve Vergaderinge geauthoriseert, ende 
authoriseren by desen, om soodanich ghebreck ende contraventie 
metten eersten te doen repareren, waer inne wy des versocht zijnde 
haer sullen assisteren. 

XXI. De selve Generale Vergaderinge sal ghehouden worden 
de eerste ses Jaeren binnen de Stadt van Amsterdam, ende twee 
Jaren daer nae in Zeelant, ende soo voorts van tijde tot tijde inde 
voorsz twee Plaetsen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IOI 

Company or to erect a new one, a final accounting and estimate shall 
be made by the Nineteen, with our approval, of all that belongs to 
the Company, and also of their necessary expenses, and after the 
aforesaid settlement and estimate any one may withdraw his money 
or, in proportion thereof, in whole or in part, continue and share in 
the succeeding Company; and the succeeding Company shall in such 
case take the remainder, which shall be found according - to the ac- 
counting- and estimate, and pay the participants who do not think 
fit to continue in the Company their share at such times at the Nine- 
teen, with our knowledge and approbation, shall think proper. 



XVIII. That so often as it shall be necessary to have a general 
Assembly of the aforesaid Chambers, it shall be by Nineteen persons, 
of whom eight shall come from the Chamber of Amsterdam, four 
from Zealand, two from the Maze, two from the Noorderquartier, 
two from Friesland and Sladt aide Landcn; provided, that the 
nineteenth person, or so many more as we shall at any time think 
fit, shall be deputed by us for the purpose of helping to direct the 
affairs of the Company in the aforesaid Assembly. 

XIX. By which general Assembly of the aforesaid Chambers, all 
matters relating to this Company shall be considered and decided ; 
provided, that in matters of war, our approbation of their resolution 
shall be asked. 

XX. The aforesaid general Assembly being summoned, it shall 
meet, whenever they are about to fit out, to resolve how many ships 
they shall send to each place for the account of the Company in 
general, and no individual Chamber shall be permitted to undertake 
anything not included in the aforesaid common resolution but [all] 
shall be bound to carry it into effect and to execute it. And if any 
Chamber should fail to comply with the common resolution, or be 
found to act in violation thereof, we have authorized, and by these 
presents do authorize, the said Assembly immediately to cause rep- 
aration to be made for such failure or violation, wherein, on re- 
quest, we will assist them. 

XXI. The said general Assembly shall be held the first six years 
in the city of Amsterdam, and the following two years in Zealand ; 
and so on alternately in the aforesaid two places. 



102 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

XXII. De Bewinthcbberen die van wegen de Compagnie ghecom- 
mitteert zijnde, van Huys sullen reysen, 't zy op de voorseyde 
Vergaderinge ofte elders, sullen voor haer teer-kosten ende dach- 
gelden hebben vier gulden 's daeghs, boven de Schuyt ende Wagen- 
vrachten: Welverstaende dat die geene die vande eene Stadt nae 
de andere reysen, om die Kameren als Bewinthebberen ende 
Regierders te frequenteren, egeen dach-gelden ofte reys-kosten en 
sullen ontfangen, tot laste vande Compagnie. 

XXIII. Ende of 't gebeurde dat inde voorseyde Generale Ver- 
gaderinge eenige wichtige saecken voorvielen, daer inne sy niet wel 
en konden verdragen, ofte dat sy selfs hun souden mogen beswaert 
vinden, om elckanderen te overstemmen, dat 't selve gelaten sal 
worden tot onse decisie : Ende 't geene dien aengaende goet gevon- 
den sal worden, sal achtervolght ende na gekomen worden. 

XXIV. Ende sullen alle Ingesetenen deser Landen, ende oock 
van andere Landen, by openbare affixien van billetten, binnen den 
tijdt van een Maent naer date van desen t' affigeren, gewaerschouwt 
worden, dat sy binnen den tijdt van vijf Maenden, innegaende den 
eersten Julij deses Jaers sesthien-hondert een-en-twintich in dese 
Compagnie sullen worden geadmitteert, ende dat sy hunne 
Penningen, die sy sullen willen in leggen, sullen mogen op brengen 
in drie termijnen: Te weten een derde-part ter expiratie vande 
voorschreve vijf Maenden, ende d' ander twee derde-parten op drie 
achter een volgende Jaren, ten ware de voorschreve Generale 
Vergaderinge bevonden, dat men dese Termijnen soude mogen 
verlengen, daer van de Participanten te vooren by affixie van 
billetten sullen werden gheadverteert. 

XXV. De Schepen vande reyse weder komende sullen wederom 
aenkomen ter plaetsen daer sy afgeseylt zijn, ende of door fortune 
van Weder ende Wint, de Schepen van 't eene Quartier uytghe- 
seyldt, aenquamen in het ander, als die van Amsterdam ofte van 't 
Noorder-quartier in Zeelant ofte inde Maze, ofte die van Zeelandt 
in Hollandt: ofte die van Vrieslandt, mitsgaders Stadt ende Lan- 
den in een ander Quartier : dat niet te min elcke Kamer de admini- 
strate ende bewint van hare uytghesonden Schepen ende Koopman- 
schappen sal behouden, ende dat sy de selve sullen mogen verseynden 
ende vervoeren nae de Quartieren daer de Schepen waren uytge- 
seylt, 't zy met de selve ofte andere Schepen, mits dat de Bewint- 
hebbers der selver Kamer, gehouden sullen zijn haer selfs in Per- 
soon te laten vinden ter Plaetse daer de Schepen ofte goederen 
aenghekomen zijn, ende geene Facteurs daer over sullen vermogen 
te stellen: Maer in ghevalle haer selfs niet ghelegen en ware te 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IO3 

XXII. The directors who by commission of the Company shall go 
from home to attend the aforesaid Assembly or otherwise, shall 
have for their expenses and daily allowance four guilders a day, be- 
sides boat and stage fare; it being understood that those who go 
from one city to another to attend the meetings of the Chambers as 
directors and managers shall receive no allowance or traveling ex- 
penses at the charge of the Company. 

XXIII. And if it should happen that in the aforesaid general As- 
sembly any weighty matter came before them, wherein they could 
not agree, or even in which one side should scruple to impose its 
decision on the other, the same shall be left to our decision ; and 
whatever shall be determined upon shall be followed and carried 
into execution. 

XXIV. And all the inhabitants of this country, and also of other 
countries, shall be notified by public posting of notices within the 
month after the date hereof that they may be admitted into this Com- 
pany during five months from the first of July, this year, sixteen hun- 
dred and twenty-one, and that they may pay the money they wish 
to invest in three payments ; to wit, one third at the expiration of 
the aforesaid five months and the other two thirds within the three 
next succeeding years, unless the aforesaid general Assembly shall 
find it necessary to extend the time, whereof the participants shall 
be notified by posting of notices. 



XXV. The ships returning from a voyage shall come to the place 
they sailed from ; and if, by stress of wind and weather, the vessels 
which sailed out from one district shall arrive in another — as those 
from Amsterdam or the Noordcr-quartier in Zealand or the Maze; 
or from Zealand in Holland; or those from Friesland, with Stadt 
ende Landen, in another district — each Chamber shall nevertheless 
retain the direction and management of the ships and goods it sent 
out and be allowed to send and transport the goods to the places 
whence the vessels sailed, either in the same or other vessels ; pro- 
vided that the directors of that Chamber shall be required to be 
present in person at the place where the vessels and goods shall have 
arrived and not to appoint factors to superintend the business ; but 
in case it shall not be convenient for them to travel, they shall com- 



104 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

reysen, dat sy als dan de Bewint-hebberen vande Kamer daer dc 
Schepen gearriveert zijn, totte administrate sullen committeren. 

XXVI. Als d'een oft d'ander Kamer eenige Koopmanschappen 
ofte retouren uyt die Quartieren binnen de voorschreve Limiten 
begrepen, ghekregen heeft, daer van dat d'ander niet en is versien, 
sal gehouden wesen die Kamer die ongeprovideert is, op baer 
versoeck naer ghelegentheyt vande saecke te provideren ende 't 
goet te senden, ende als sy uytverkocht sullen hebben, noch meer 
te seynden. Dat van gelijcken de Bewinthebberen vande respective 
Kameren, eenige Persoonen tot de equipagien, ofte andersints 
uyt andere Steden daer Kameren ofte Bewint-bebbers zijn, van 
noode hebbende, daer toe de Bewintliebberen van dese Compagnie 
sullen moeten versoecken ende employeren, sonder eenige Factoren 
daer toe te gebruycken. 

XXVII. Ende indien eenige Provincien goet vinden eenen 
Agent te stellen, om die Penningen uyt baere Ingesetenen te ver- 
samelen, ende in masse in eenighe Kamer in te leggen, ende vande 
uytdeelinge betalinge te voorderen, sal de Kamer ghehouden zijn 
alsulcken Agent toe te laten acces inde selve Kamer, om aldaer 
geinformeert te werden vanden Staet vanden uytgeve ende in- 
komen, uyt ende inschuiden : Behouden dat de Penningen by 
sulcken Agent ingebracbt, sullen bedragen vijftich duysent gul- 
dens, ende daer boven. 

XXVIII. De Bewinthebbers sullen vande uyt-reyse ende vande 
retouren, mitsgaders vande prinsen voor provisie genieten een ten 
hondert, ende van Gout ende Silver maer een half ten hondert. 
Welcke provisie sal verdeelt worden voor de Kamer van Amster- 
dam vier negende deelen : De Kamer van Zeelant twee negende 
deelen : vande Maze een negende deel : van 't Noorder-quartier een 
negende deel : ende van Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen 
gelijcke negende deel. 

XXIX. Welverstaende dat sy-luyden van het Gcschut, ende de 
waerde vande Schepen niet meer als eens provisie sullen ghenieten. 
Sullen voorts geenige provisie ghenieten van Schepen, Geschut ende 
anders, waer mede wy dese Compagnie sullen verstercken: nochle 
oock vande Penningen die sy voor dese Compagnie sullen liclitcn. 
nochte van dat sy de Waren beneficieren. Gelijck sy tot laste 
vande Compagnie niet en sullen mogen brengen eenige Vacatie, 
Reys ofte Teer-kosten vande geenige die sy sullen mogen commit- 
teren, om de uytreedinge te vorderen, ende dc Waren daer toe 
noodich te koopen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IO5 

mit this business to the Chamber in whose district the vessels ar- 
rived. 

XXVI. If any Chamber shall have obtained any goods or returns 
from the places included within the limits of this charter with which 
another is not provided, it shall be required to send such goods on 
request to the Chamber which is unprovided, according to the situa- 
tion of the case; and when the}- have sold out to send more. And 
in like manner, if the managers of the respective Chambers have 
need of any persons for crews or other purposes, from the cities 
where there are Chambers or directors, they shall request and em- 
ploy [the aid of] the directors of this Company therefor and not 
make use of any factors. 



XXVII. And if any of the provinces think fit to appoint an agent 
to collect the money from their inhabitants, deposit the amount in 
bulk in any Chamber, and receive the payment of dividends, the 
Chamber shall be required to give such agent access, that he may 
obtain information of the state of the disbursements and receipts, 
and of the debts and assets ; provided that the money brought in by 
such agent shall amount to fifty thousand guilders or upwards. 



XXVIII. The directors shall have for commissions one per cent on 
the outfits and returns, and also on the prizes, and a half per cent on 
gold and silver ; which commissions shall be divided — to the Cham- 
ber of Amsterdam, four ninths ; the Chamber of Zealand, two 
ninths ; the Maze, one ninth ; the Noorder-quartier, one ninth ; and 
Friesland with Stadt aide Landen, a like ninth. 



XXIX. Provided that they shall not receive commissions on the 
ordnance and value of the ships more than once. They shall, more- 
over, have no commission on the ships, ordnance and other things 
with which we shall strengthen the Company, nor on the money 
which they shall collect for the Company, nor on the profits they re- 
ceive from the goods ; nor shall they charge the Company with any 
salaries, expenses of traveling or board of those to whom they shall 
commit the fitting out and purchasing of goods necessary therefor. 



106 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

XXX. De Boeck-houders ende Cassiers sullen gesalariseert 
werden tot laste vande Bewint-hebbers, uyt hare provisie. 

XXXI. De Bewint-hebberen sullen geene Schepen, Waren ofte 
Goederen haer in 't gheheel ofte deel toekomende, aen dese Com- 
pagnie mogen leveren ofte verkoopen: nochte vande selve Com- 
pagnie eenige Koopmanschappen ofte Waren koopen ofte doen 
koopen, directelijck ofte indirectelijck, noch portie ofte ghedeelte 
daer inne hebben, op de verbeurte van een Jaer harer provisie, die 
contrarie desen bevonden wert gedaen te hebben, ten profijte van- 
den Armen, ende van haer Bewinthebberschap verlaten te worden. 

XXXII. De Bewint-hebberen sullen ghehouden wesen by afhxie 
van Billietten, te notificeren, soo dickwils sy eenige Waren ende 
Koopmanschappen van nieuws sullen hebben ontfangen, ten eynde 
een yder daer van tijdelick kennisse mach hebben, al eer tot eyn- 
delijcke verkoopinge sal worden gheprocedeert. 

XXXIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde dat onder d'een of dander 
Kamer yemandt vande Bewinthebbers in sulcken Staet gheraeckten, 
dat hy niet en konde voldoen 't geene hem sijner administratie 
aengaende, vertrouwt ware, ende daer door eenige schade mochte ko- 
men, sal wesen tot laste vande Penningen die alsulcke Bewinthebberen 
hebben in Compagnie, de welcke oock voor haer administratie 
specialijcken zijn verbonden, 't welck oock plaetse sal hebben ten 
respecte van alle de Participanten, die uyt saecke van koop van 
goederen, ofte andersints Debiteurs vande Compagnie souden 
mogen wesen, ende sal gereeckent worden in alien schijne, of haer 
ingeleyde Penningen tegens 't geen sy de Compagnie schuldich 
zijn, van aenbeginne waer ghecompenseert, ende by recontre 
gedoodet. 

XXXIV. De Bewinthebbers vande respective Kamers, sullen re- 
sponderen voor hare Cassiers ende Boeckhouders. 

XXXV. Dat alle de Waren van dese Compagnie, die by den 
gewichte verhandelt sullen worden, verkocht sullen worden op 
eenderley ghewichte, te weten, op de swaerte van 't ghewichte van 
Amsterdam, ende dat men alsulcke Waren sal mogen overslaen 
binnen Scheeps-boort ofte inde Pack-huysen, sonder daer van 
eenigen Accijs, Impost ofte Waegh-gelt te betalen, mits dat de selve 
verkocht zijnde, niet anders sullen mogen worden ghelevert dan 
ter Wage, ende midts betalende den Impost ende Waegh-gelt, soo 
dickwils als sy worden ghealieneert ghelijck andere goederen, die 
Wage subject zijnde. 

XXXVI. Dat men de Persoonen ofte Goederen der Bewintheb- 
bers niet en sal mogen arresteren, besetten ofte becommeren, om 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 107 

XXX. The bookkeepers and cashiers shall have a salary paid 
them by the directors out of their commissions. 

XXXI. The directors shall not deliver or sell to the Company 
any ships, merchandise, or goods belonging to themselves in whole 
or in part, nor buy or cause to be bought of the said Company, 
directly or indirectly, any goods or merchandise, nor have any por- 
tion or part therein, on forfeiture by those who shall be found to 
have acted to the contrary of one year's commissions for the use of 
the poor and on pain of being deposed from their directorship. 

XXXII. The directors shall be obliged to give notice, by posting 
of bills, as often as they have a fresh importation of goods and 
merchandise, to the end that every one may have seasonable knowl- 
edge of it before they proceed to a final sale. 

XXXIII. And if it should happen that in one Chamber or another 
any of the directors should get into such a situation that he could 
not make good what was intrusted to him for his administration and 
in consequence thereof any loss should occur, said loss shall be 
charged against the money which such directors have in the Com- 
pany, which [investment] is also especially pledged for their adminis- 
tration; the same shall also be the case as to all the participants 
who, on account of goods purchased or otherwise, shall become 
debtors to the Company, and to all intents it shall be reckoned as 
if the money which they put in had from the beginning been counter- 
balanced and wiped out by what they owe the Company. 

XXXIV. The directors of the respective Chambers shall be re- 
sponsible for their cashiers and bookkeepers. 

XXXV. That all the goods of this Company which shall be dis- 
posed of by weight shall be sold by one standard of weight, to wit, 
that of the weight of Amsterdam ; and that all such goods may be 
sold on board ship, or in store, without paying any excise, impost 
or weigh money; provided that, once being sold, they shall not be 
delivered in any other way than at the Weigh-house and that the 
impost and weigh money shall be paid as often as they are alienated 
in the same manner as other goods subject to weigh money. 



XXXVI. That the persons or goods of the directors shall not be 
arrested, attached or encumbered in order to obtain from them an 



I08 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

van hen te hebben Reeckeninge van administratie vande Compagnie, 
noch oock om de betalinge vande gagien, ofte loon vande geene 
die sy in dienste vande Compagnie ghebruyckt hebben : Maer de 
geene die snicks yet op henluyden sal willen pretenderen, sullen 
ghehouden zijn de selve te betreckeu voor heur ordinaris Rechters. 

XXXVII. Soo wanneer eenige Schepen vande reyse sullen weder 
keeren, sullen de Generaels oft Commandeurs over de Vlooten, 
Schip ofte Schepen ghehouden zijn binnen thien dagen naer haere 
aenkomste, aen ons te komen doen rapport van 't succes van hare 
reyse, ende daer van schriftelijck rapport over geven ende leveren, 
indien de sake sulcx vereyscht. 

XXXVIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde (dat Wy geensints en ver- 
wachten) dat yemant de Scheep-vaert, Negotie, Handelinge ofte 
Traffijcque van dese Compagnie, contrarie het algemeene Recht, 
ofte oock jegens 't inhouden vande voorschreve Tractaten, Ver- 
bonden ende Entre-courssen in eeniger manieren wilde beschadigen 
ofte hinderlijck wesen, sullen hun daer tegens mogen defenderen, 
ende reguleren in conformiteyt vande instructie by ons daer van 
te geven. 

XXXIX. Hebben voorts belooft ende belooven mits desen, dat 
wy dese Compagnie tegens eenen yegelick sullen mainteneren ende 
defenderen inde vrye Zee-vaert ende Trafficque, ende ten dien 
fine de selve te hulpe komen met een somme van thien hondert 
duysent guldens, te betalen in vijf Jaren, daer van de eerste twee 
hondert duysent guldens sullen worden gefurneert, soo haest den 
eersten termijn by de Participanten sal wesen op ghebracht : Wel- 
verstaende dat wy mette helft vande voorschreve thien hondert 
duysent guldens, sullen ghenieten ende dragen winste ende risico, 
gelijck alle andere Participanten in dese Compagnie genieten ende 
dragen sullen. 

XL. Ende in gevalle door een machtich ende geduerich belet 
inde voorschreve Zee-vaert ende Trafficque, de saecken in de Li- 
miten van dese Compagnie wierden gebracht tot een openbaer Oor- 
loch, Soo sullen wy de selve Compagnie, so veel 's Lants gelegentheyt 
sulcx eenichsints sonde toe laten, tot hare assistentie gheven 
sesthien Schepen van Oorloge, het minste groot hondert vijftich 
Lasten, met vier goede welbeseylde Jachten, het minste groot 
veertich Lasten, zijnde behoorlijck ghemonteert ende voorsien van 
alles : oock van Metalen ende ander Geschut, ende behoorlijcke 
qiiantiteyl van Ammunitie, midtsgaders van dubbelt loopende ende 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IOO, 

account of the administration of the Company nor for the payment 
of the salaries or wages of those whom they have employed in the 
service of the Company; but those who wish to make any such de- 
mands upon them must bring the matter before the ordinary judges. 

XXXVII. Whenever any ship shall return from a voyage, the 
admirals or commanders of the fleets, ship or ships shall be obliged 
to come and report to us the success of the voyage within ten days 
after their arrival and shall make out and deliver a report in writing, 
if the case requires it. 

XXXVIII. And if it should happen (which we by no means ex- 
pect) that any one ventured to injure or hinder in any way the navi- 
gation, commerce, trade or traffic of this Company, contrary to the 
common law or to the contents of the aforesaid treaties, league.-, 
and covenants, they shall have the right to protect themselves against 
such actions and shall govern themselves according to the instruc- 
tions to be issued by us concerning them. 

XXXIX. We have, moreover, promised, and do promise, that we 
will maintain and defend this Company against every person in 

[their rights of] free navigation and trade, and to that end will as- 
sist them with a sum of ten hundred thousand guilders, to be paid 
in five years, whereof the first two hundred thousand guilders shall 
be paid them when the first payment shall be made by the partici- 
pants ; provided, that we, with half the aforesaid ten hundred thou- 
sand guilders, shall receive and bear profit and risk in the same man- 
ner as the other participants of this Company. 



XL. And if by a powerful and continued obstruction of the afore- 
said navigation and trade, the affairs within the limits of this Com- 
pany should be brought to a state of open war, we will, if the situa- 
tion of this country will in any wise admit of it, give them for their 
assistance sixteen ships of war, the smallest one of one hundred and 
fifty lasts burden, with four good, well-sailing yachts, the smallest 
of forty lasts burden, which shall be properly mounted and provided 
in all respects, both with brass 01 and other cannon, and a proper 
quantity of ammunition, together with double suits of running and 



61 Metalcn; literally, metal, as distinguished from iron cannon. See De Jon'ge, 
Geschiedenis van het Nederlandschc Zeewesen, ed. 2, p. 281; de Laet, Historie ofte 
Iaerlijck Verhael, apx. p. 3-9. 



IIO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

staende Want, Zeylagie, Touwen, Anckcrs ende andere toe-behoor- 
ten, sulcks die op alsulcke groote Expeditie behooren versien ende 
gebruyckt te w of den : Behoudens dat die voorts sullen worden 
ghemant, ghevictuailleert ende onderhouden tot koste vande Com- 
pagnie: Ende dat de Compagnie ghehouden sal zijn daer by tc 
voegen ghelijcke sesthien Schepen van Oorloge, met vier Jacbtcn. 
mede gemonteert ende voorsien als vooren, om gelijckelijck tot 
defensie vande Trafficque, ende alle Exploicten van Oorloge 
gebruyckt te werden : Midts dat alle de Scbepen van Oorloge, ende 
de Koopvaerdye-Scbepen (die mede sulcks sullen worden toe- 
gerust ende gemant als 't behoort) sullen staen onder een Admirael, 
by ons daer over te stellen, naer voorgaende advijs vande voorsz 
Generale Vefgaderinge : Ende sullen volgen onse Commandemeh- 
ten, midtsgaders de Resolutien vande Compagnie, om des noot 
zijnde, gelijckelijck ten Oorloge gebruyckt te werden : sulcx noch- 
tans dat de Koopvaerders buyten noot hare ladinge niet en sullen 
hasarderen. 

XLI. Ende in gevalle soude mogen ghebeuren, dat de Landen 
in hare Lasten merckelijck souden mogen worden verlicht, ende 
dat dese Compagnie in sware lasten van Oorloge soude komen te 
vervallen : Soo hebben wy belooft ende belooven midts desen, de 
voorschreve subsidie sulcks te vermeerderen als den Staet vande 
Landen sal mogen lijden, ende die saecken vande Compagnie sul- 
len komen te vereysschen. 

XLII. Hebben voorts geordonneert, Dat in gevalle van Oorloge, 
alle Prinsen die op die Vyanden, ofte oock op die Zee-roovers 
binnen de voorschreve Limiten, by de Compagnie, of by den geenen 
die den selven t'hare assistentie sullen worden by-gevoecht, soude 
mogen werden verovert : Oock de goederen, die uyt krachte van 
onse Placaten sullen worden aengehaelt, na aftreckinge van alle 
nootelicke kosten, als oock vande schade die de Compagnie in 't 
veroveren van elcke Prinse soude mogen hebben gheleden : mits- 
gaders de gherechtigheyt van Sijn Excellentie als Admirael, in 
conformite van onse Resolutie, dient halvcn op den eersten April 
Sesthien-hondert ende twee ghenomen : ende het thiende-part vande 
Officiers, P>oots-volck ende Soldaten, die de Prinsen gedaen sullen 
hebben, sullen blijven tcr dispositie vande Bewinthebbers vande 
voorschreve Compagnie : Mits dat daer van gehouden sal worden 
Reeckeninge apart, ende verscheyden vande Reeckeninge vande 
Negotien ende Commercien : Ende dat het provenu vande selvc 
Prinsen sal worden geemployeert totte equipagie vande Schepen, 
«nde betalinge van het Volck van Oorloge, Fortificatien, Besettiq. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS III 

standing rigging, sails, cables, anchors and other things thereto be- 
longing, such as are proper to be provided and used in all great ex- 
peditions ; upon condition that they shall be manned, victualed and 
supported at the expense of the Company and that the Company 
shall be obliged to add thereto sixteen like ships of war and 
four yachts, mounted and provided as above, to be used in like man- 
ner for the defense of trade and all exploits of war; provided that 
all the ships of war and merchantmen (which likewise shall be pro- 
vided and manned as is fitting) shall be under an admiral appointed 
by us after previous advice of the aforesaid general Assembly and 
shall obey our commands, together with the resolutions of the Com- 
pany, and if need be, shall be used together for purposes of war, 
in such manner, however, that the merchantmen shall not unneces- 
sarily hazard their lading. 



XLI. And if it should happen that the country should be greatly 
eased of its burdens and that this Company should be put to the 
heavy charges of war, we have further promised, and do promise, 
to increase the aforesaid subsidy in such manner as the situation of 
this country will permit and the affairs of the Company shall re- 
quire. 

XLII. We have moreover ordained that in case of war all the 
prizes which may be taken from enemies and pirates within the 
aforesaid limits by the Company or those who have been sent to its 
assistance ; also the goods which shall be seized by virtue of our 
proclamations — after deducting all necessary expenses and the 
damage which the Company may have suffered in taking each prize, 
together with the dues of His Excellency as admiral in chief agree- 
able to our resolution to that effect adopted on the first of April, 
sixteen hundred and two, and the tenth part for the officers, sailors 
and soldiers who have taken the prize — shall remain at the disposal 
of the directors of the aforesaid Company ; provided that the account 
of them shall be kept separate and distinct from the account of trade 
and commerce, that the net proceeds of the said prizes shall be em- 
ployed in fitting out ships, paying the troops, fortifications, garrj- 



112 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

gen encle diergelijcke saecken van Oorloge ende defensie te Water 
ende te Lande dependerende, sonder dat men daer van sal doen 
eenige distribntie, ten ware dat het selfde provenu soo groot werde 
bevonden, dat men sonder swackinge vande selve defensie, ende 
nae dat d'onkosten vande Oorloge sonde zijn betaelt, eenige 
merckelijcke parthye sonde mogen uyt deelen, de welcke geschieden 
sal apart ende ghescheyden vande distribntien vande Commercien. 
Ende sal de verdeylinge gedaen worden, een thiende-deel voor de 
gemeene saecke vande Vereenichde Nederlanden, ende de reste 
onder de Participanten van dese Compagnie, elcke ponts gelijcke, 
naer rate van sijn ingeleyt Capitael. 

XLIII. Behoudelick nochtans, dat alle de Prinsen ende goederen, 
uyt krachte vande Placaten aengehaelt, in-ghebracht ende te Recbte 
gestelt sullen moeten worden, ter judicature vande Rade ter Ad- 
miraliteyt vande Quartieren daer die in gbebracht sullen zijn, om 
by de selve kennisse genomen, ende ghesententieert te worden op 
de deuchdelijckbeyt ofte ondeuchdclijckbeyt vande selve Prinsen : 
Blijvende niet te min liangende den Processe d'admistratie vande 
inghebracbte Goederen by de Compagnie, ende dat onder behoor- 
lijcken Inventaris, ende behoudens de Revisie vande geenen die 
by Sententie vande Admiraliteyt gbegraveert soude mogen zijn, in 
conformiteyt vande Instructie aen die vande Admiraliteyt gegeven : 
Welverstaende, dat de Vendu-Meesters ende andere Officiers vande 
Admiraliteyten, geen Recbt sullen genieten ofte mogen pretenderen 
vande Prinsen die by dese Compagnie sullen worden ghebeneficieert, 
ende daer in sy niet en zijn geemployeert. 

XLIV. De Bewinthebbers van dese Compagnie sullen solem- 
nelijck belooven ende sweeren, dat sy hun in bare administratie 
wel ende ghetrouwelijck sullen dragen, goede ende deuchdelijcke 
Reeckeninghe doen van hare handelinge : Dat sy in alles sullen 
bevoorderen 't meeste profijt vande Compagnie, ende der selver 
schade beschutten, soo veel mogelijck sal zijn : Dat sy den meesten 
vande Participanten, in 't opbrengen ende uytdeylinge vande Pen- 
ningen, niet meer voordeel en sullen doen als den minsten : Dat 
sy in 't innen ende ontfangcn vande uytstaende schulden, den eenen 
niet meer als den anderen sullen verschooiien : Dat sy voor haer 
eygen Reeckeninge participeren, ende ghednyrende haer Bewint- 
hebbersclia]) sullen blijven participeren, alsulcke somme van Pen- 
ningen als by desen Octroye zijn geordonneert: Midtsgaders dat 
sy alle ende een yeder vande poincten ende Articulen in desen 
vermeil, vour soo veel haer acngact, sullen nae komen ende onder- 



VAN RENSSELAER B0W1ER MANUSCRIPTS II3 

sons and like matters of war and defense, by sea and land, and that 
there shall be no distribution unless the said proceeds shall amount 
to so much that a notable share may be distributed without weaken- 
ing the said defense and after paying the expenses of the war, which 
distribution shall be made separately and apart from that on account 
of trade ; and the distribution shall be made, one tenth part for the 
use of the United Netherlands and the remainder for the partici- 
pants of this Company, in exact proportion to their invested capital. 



XLIII. Provided, however, that all the prizes and goods taken by 
virtue of our proclamations shall be brought and tried before the 
council of the admiralty of the district to which they are brought, 
that it may take cognizance of them and determine the legality or 
illegality of the said prizes, the administration of the goods brought 
in remaining, nevertheless, with the Company, pending the process, 
and that under a proper inventory, and saving to those who might be 
injured by the sentence of the admiralty the right of appeal, agree- 
able to the instructions given the admiralty; provided that the ven- 
due masters and other officers of the admiralty shall neither receive 
nor claim any fees from prizes which shall be sold for the benefit 
of this Company and in [connection with] which they are not em- 
ployed. 

XL1V. The directors of this Company shall solemnly promise 
and swear that they will act well and faithfully in their adminis- 
tration and render good and just accounts of their transactions; 
that they will in all things consult the greatest profit of the Company 
and, as much as possible, prevent its meeting with losses ; that they 
will not give the greatest participant any greater advantage in the 
payments or distribution of money than the least ; that, in collecting 
and receiving outstanding debts, they will not excuse one more than 
another; that they, for their own account, will invest, and during 
the continuance of their administration will continue the invest- 
ment of all such sums of money as by this charter are stipulated ; 
and moreover, that they will, as far as concerns them, to the utmost 



114 NEW Y( > RK STATE LIBRARY 

houden, doen nae komen ende onderhouden naer haer uyterste 
vermogen. 

XLV. Alle welcke Privilegien, Vryheden ende Exemptien, mits- 
gaders de assistentie hier v.ooren verhaelt, in alle hare voorsz 
Poincten ende Articulen, wy de voorsz Compagnie met goede ken- 
nisse van saecken hebben ghegunt, verleent, belooft ende toegeseyt: 
Gunnen, verleenen ende toeseggen hen mils desen : Beloovende hen- 
lnyden de selve te doen, ende laten genieten rustelijck ende 
vredelijck. Ordonneren oock dat de selve sullen worden onder- 
houden ende achtervolcht by alle Overicheden, Officieren ende 
Ondersaten van dese Vereenichde Nederlanden, sonder daer jegens 
te doen directelick of indirectelick, soo weynich binnen, als buy ten de 
selve Vereenichde Nederlanden, op peyne van daer over als Beletters 
van 't ghemeen welvaren der selver Landen, ende Overtreders van 
onse Ordonnantie gestraft te worden aen Li j £ ende Goet. Be- 
loovende daer en boven, dat wy de Compagnie, in 't innehouden 
van desen onsen Octroye, sullen mainteneren ende staende houden, 
by alle Tractaten van Payse, Alliancien ende Enter-coursen met de 
nae-gebuyre Princen, Rijcken ende Landen, sonder yet ghedaen ofte 
gehandelt te worden dat tot verminderinge van desen soude mogen 
strecken. Ontbieden daerom ende bevelen wel expresselijck alle 
Gouverneurs, Justicieren, Officieren, Magistraten ende Inwoonders 
der voorschreve A^ereenichde Nederlanden, dat sy de voorschreve 
Compagnie ende Bewinthebbers van dien, rustelijck ende vredelijck 
laten ghebruycken het volkomen effect van desen Octroye, Consent 
ende Privilegie : Cesserende alle contradictien ende empeschementen 
ter contrarien. Ende op dat niemant hier van ignorantie en pre- 
tendere, Soo hebben wy belast, dat het sommier inhouden van desen 
Octroye by publicatie ofte affixie van Biljetten sal worden genoti- 
ficeert, daer, ende soo het behooren sal : Want wy 't selve ten 
dienste vanden Lande bevonden hebben te behooren. Gegeven 
onder onsen grooten Zegel, Paraphure ende de Signature van onsen 
Grifner, in 's Graven-Hage, op den derden dach der Maent van 
Junio, in 't Jaer sesthien-hondert een-ende-twintich. Was ghepara- 
pheert, /. Magnus?*- Onderstondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch- 
ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. Onderteeckent, C. Aerssen. 
Hebbende een uythangende Zegel van rooden Wasschc aen een 
koorde van witte zijde. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 115 

of their power, observe and keep all and every the particulars and 
articles herein contained. 

XLV. All of which privileges, freedoms and exemptions, together 
with the assistance above mentioned, in all their points and articles, 
we have granted, allowed, promised and pledged to the aforesaid 
Company, and do hereby grant, allow and pledge with full knowl- 
edge of the matter, promising to allow them to enjoy the same 
quietly and peaceably. We likewise order that the same shall be 
kept and observed by all magistrates, officers and subjects of these 
United Netherlands and that they shall not do anything contrary to 
the same directly or indirectly, either within or without the said 
United Netherlands, upon pain of being punished therefor both in 
person and property as disturbers of the common welfare of this 
country and transgressors of our ordinance. We further promise 
that we will maintain and uphold the Company in the contents of 
this our charter, by all treaties of peace, alliances and covenants with 
the neighboring princes, kingdoms and countries, without suffering 
anything to be done or transacted that might tend to diminish its 
value. Wherefore we expressly charge and command all governors, 
justiciaries, officers, magistrates and inhabitants of these United 
Netherlands to permit and suffer the Company and its directors 
to enjoy quietly and peaceably all the benefits of this charter, license 
and privilege, ceasing all opposition and obstruction to it. And in 
order that none may pretend ignorance of this, we have ordered a 
summary of the contents of this charter to be publicly proclaimed 
and placarded wherever necessary, for we have found this to be for 
the best interests of the country. Given under our great seal, 
paraph and the signature of our secretary, at the Hague, on the third 
day of the month of June, in the year sixteen hundred and twenty- 
one. Was paraphed, /. Magnus , yt - Underneath was written: By 
order of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States General. Sub- 
scribed, C. Acrssen. Having a seal pendent of red wax, on a cord 
of white silk. 



Il6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Amplification of the charter of the West India Company 1 

June 10, 1622 

Original text 

Ampliatie van 't Octroy: Waer inne de Zout-vaert op Puncto del 
Rey buyten de Compagnie verboden wert: Mede den tijdt van 
inleggen geprolongeert, &c. In date den 10 Iunij 1622. 

De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den gee- 
nen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. 
DOEN TE WETEN, Alsoo hier bevoorens seecker Ampliatie 
van 't Octroy aen de West-Indische Compagnie verleent, tot meer- 
der voortsettinge ende bevorderinge vande selve, by ons uyt 
gegeven ende in forme van Placaet over al is gepubliceert, luydende 
van woorde tot woorde als volcht: 

De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den 
geenen die desen sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. Alsoo wy 
naer rijpe deltberatie van Raede, tot welstant deser Provintien, 
ende welvaren vande goede Ingesetenen van dien, hebben doen 
besluyten een Compagnie van N ego tie ende Tramcque, alhier in 
dese Nederlanden, op de West-Indien, Africa, ende andere Plaetsen 
in onsen voorgaenden Placate van den negenden Junij inden Tare 
sesthien-hondert een en twintich gedesigneert, met verbodt, dat 
geene Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen deser Landen, binnen den tijt 
van vier-en-twintich Jaren, naer den eersten Julij doen eerst- 
komende, en souden vermogen te varen ofte Negotieren binnen de 
selve Limiten, uytghesondert alleen die by den Octroye aende 
voorsz Compagnie verleent zijn, toe-gelaten om Sout te mogen 
varen op Punto del Rey, op het Reglement by ons daer op 
ghemaeckt, ofte noch te maecken: Ende dat Wy de saecke naerder 
over ghemerckt, voor der Landen dienst, ende tot vorderinge vande 
voorsz geoctroycerde Compagnie, dienstich ende noodich ghevonden 
hebben de voorsz Soutvaert op Punto del Rey, inde selve Com- 
pagnie mede te incorporeren. SOO 1ST, dat Wy, blijvende ons 
voorgaende Placaet vanden negenden Junij in sijn geheel, mede 
geinterdiceert ende verboden hebben, interdiceren ende verbieder 



1 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, 1624, 1629 and 1642 (Asher, 
no. 55-61); also in part in de Laet, Historie ofte Iacrlijck Verhael, introd. p. [17]. 
and by way of recital in the confirmation of Feb. 16, 1623, in Groot Placaet Boeck, 
vol. 1, col. 579—82, which text has been used for the present copy. An imperfect 
translation of the part printed in de Laet is found in Hazard, Historical Collections of 
State Papers, 1:149-50. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I17 

Amplification of the Charter of the West India Company 

June 10, 1622 

Translation 

Amplification of the charter : wherein the salt trade to Puncto del 
Rey is forbidden except to the Company ; also the time of sub- 
scription extended, &c. Dated June 10, 1622. 

The States General of the United Netherlands, to all those who 
shall sec these presents or hear them read, greeting. Be it known, 
that whereas heretofore a certain amplification of the charter 
granted to the West India Company, for the further promotion and 
benefit of the same, has been published by us and brought to pub- 
lic notice everywhere by means of placards, reading word -for 
word as follows : 

The States General of the United Netherlands to all who shall 
see these presents or hear them read, greeting. Whereas we have 
after mature deliberation of council, for the benefit of these 
provinces and the welfare of the good inhabitants thereof, caused 
a company to be formed here in these Netherlands for commerce 
and trade to the West-Indies, Africa and other places mentioned 
in our former proclamation of the ninth of June, in the year 
sixteen hundred and twenty-one, with a prohibition that none of the 
natives or inhabitants of this country for the term of twenty-four 
years from the first of July next following should sail or trade 
within the said limits, except only those who under the charter 
granted to the aforesaid Company are permitted to carry on the 
salt trade to Punto del Rey under the regulations therefor adopted 
or to be adopted by us : whereas upon reconsidering that matter, 
we find that it is useful and necessary for the service of this coun- 
try and for promoting the aforesaid chartered Company to vest 
the aforesaid salt trade to Punto del Rey also in the said Company: 
Therefore we (our former proclamation of the ninth of June re- 
maining in full force) have also interdicted and forbidden, and by 
these presents do interdict and forbid, the natives and inhabitants 



Il8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

by desen, dat geene Ingheboornen ofte Inghesetenen deser Landen, 
binnen den tijt vande voorsz vier-en-twintich Jaren, uyt dese Neder- 
landen, nochte de voorsz Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen, oock uyt 
eenige andere Rijcken ofte Landen, directelick ofte indirectelick 
en sullen vermogen te varen op de voorsz Sout-vaert van Punto del 
Rey, anders als uyt den Name ende van wegen dese Compagnie, 
willende ende ordonnerende, dat alle andere Ingeboornen ende In- 
gesetenen, die ter contrarie hen vervorderen sullen te doen, ofte 
bevonden sullen konnen werden gedaen te hebben, verbeuren sullen 
Schip ende Goederen, die datelijck aen getast, ende ten behoeve 
vande voornoemde Compagnie verbeurt ghehouden sullen werden. 
Ende indien soodanige Schepen ende Goederen souden mogen wer- 
den daer naer verkocht, ofte in andere Landen ofte Havenen 
gebracht, Hebben wy geordonneert ende ghestatueert, ordonneren 
ende statueren by desen, dat de Reeders ende Participanten van 
dien, in dese Landen woonende, ofte hier ghegoet wesende, voor 
de waerde van dien sullen wesen convenibel, ende gheexecuteert 
mogen werden. Wy hebben mede goet gevonden den tijdt om in 
dese Compagnie te mogen komen, te prolongeren, gelijck wy doen 
by desen voor den Ingesetenen deser Landen, tot den lesten Julij 
toekomende, nieuwen stijl incluys : Ende voor den Uytheemschen 
tot den laetsten Septembris, mede nieuwen stijle daer aen volgende, 
ende oock inclusive. Ende en sal naer dien tijdt niemant meer tot 
eenige teeckeninge ofte inlatinge hide Compagnie werden gheadmit- 
teert, ten eynde alle de geene die inde voorsz Compagnie noch sullen 
wiilen komen, binnen den selven tijdt als noch, onder eenige vande 
Directeurs daer toe gestelt, mogen teyckenen ofte doen teyckenen 
voor sulcken somme van penningen als haer goet duncken sal inde 
selve te herideren : Willende mede dat de eerste ses Weecken gheex- 
pireert zijnde, uyt de bequaemste, ervarenste, ende meest ingeleyt- 
hebbende Participanten, datelijck gheeligheert, gemaeckt ende ge- 
stelt sullen werden de Bewinthebberen vande voornoemde Compagnie, 
in conformiteyt vanden Octroye, ende dat de selve als dan promp- 
telijck sullen procederen tot d'equipagie, om de gheoctroyeerde 
Navigatie ende Handelinge datelijck by der handt te nemen, ende 
in 't werck te stellen. Ende want wy wiilen dat alle 't gunt voorsz 
is, vast ende bondich blijve, ende also onderhouden werde in Recht 
ende daer buyten, Hebben wy versOcht de Staten ende Stadthou- 
deren der respective Provincien van Gelderlant ende Zutphen, Hol- 
lant ende West-Vrieslant, Zeelandt, Utrecht, Vrieslant, Over-Yssel, 
ende van Groeningen ende Ommelanden : Midtsgaders der selver Ge- 
committeerde Raden, ofte Gedeputeerde Staten, gelijck oock den 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS II9 

of this country, during- the term of the aforesaid twenty-four 
years, to sail out of these Netherlands, as also out of any other 
kingdom or country, directly or indirectly, in the said salt trade to 
Punto del Rey, except in the name and on behalf of this Com- 
pany; willing and ordaining that all other natives and inhabitants 
who shall venture to do, or shall be found to have done anything to 
the contrary hereof, shall forfeit ship and goods which shall be 
immediately seized and confiscated for the benefit of the aforesaid 
Company. And if such ship and goods should thereafter be sold 
or brought into other countries or ports, we have ordained and de- 
creed, and do hereby ordain and decree, that the owners and par- 
ticipants thereof, living in this country or owning property here, 
shall be liable for the value thereof and that execution may issue 
against them. We have also deemed fit, as we hereby deem fit, to 
extend the time of entering this Company for the inhabitants of this 
country till the last of July next, new style, inclusive, and for 
foreigners till the last of September, also new style, next ensuing, 
and also inclusive. And after that date no one shall be admitted 
or allowed to make any subscription to this Company, so that all 
those who still wish to be admitted to this Company may within 
the time aforesaid subscribe or cause subscription to be made before 
some of the directors thereto appointed for such sums of money as 
they shall see fit to invest in the same. We further desire that 
immediately after the expiration of the first six weeks, from the 
most able and experienced participants who have made the largest 
investments shall be elected and appointed the directors of the afore- 
said Company, in accordance with the charter, and that the same 
shall thereupon promptly proceed to the equipment of vessels in 
order to begin at once the granted navigation and trade. 

And desiring that what is above written shall be observed and 
maintained, in law and without, we have requested the States and 
Stadtholders of the respective provinces of Gelderland and Zutphen, 
Holland and West-Friesland, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Over- 
Yssel, and of Groningen and Ommelanden, together with the 
Deputy Councils or States of the same, and the Chancelor, Presi- 



120 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Cancelaer, Presidenten ende die vande Justicie vande voorsz Landen : 
Ende voorts belast ende geordonneert, gelijck Wy belasten ende or- 
donneren mits desen alle Collegien vande Admiraliteyten, alle Ad- 
mi ralen, Oversten, Colonnellen, Ritmeesters ende Capiteynen, te 
Water ende te Lande: Mitsgaders alle Justicieren ende Officieren, 
dit alclns te houden ende doen houden, ende in 't Sententieren heur 
daer naer te reguleren, sonder eenige indrachte ter contrarien. 
Ende op dat niemant hier van eenige ignorantie en pretendere, 
Versoecken ende ontbieden Wy alle Overheyden, Magistraten, 
Officiers ende Justicieren binnen dese Vereenichde Nederlanden, die 
bet eenicbsints aengaen macb, dat sy desen alomme doen verkon- 
digen, uytroepen ende publiceren, daer men ghewoon is uytroepinge 
ende pnblicatie te doen : Want wy 't selve voor den dienst vande 
Landen ende de goede Ingesetenen van dien bevonden hebben te 
behooren. Aldus ghedaen en gearresteert ter Vergacleringe vande 
Heeren Staten Generael, in 's Graven-Hage, desen thienden Junij 
in 't Jaer ons Heeren duysent ses hondert tvvee-en-twintich. Was 
gheparapheert, N. vander Meer, vt - Onder stont, Ter Ordonnantie 
vande Hooch-ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. Geteeckent, C. 
Acrsscn. 

Ende dat de voorsz Compagnie deur eenige heure Gecommit- 
teerden naeder bant klaerlijck hebben gheremonstreert ende ver- 
toont, hoe die meeste ende grootste teyckeninge daer op princi- 
pal^ ck is gevolget, in voegen dat men sonder 't selve geensints tot 
suffisante Capitalen sonde hebben konnen geraecken, overmits het 
meerendeel der Participanten een fnndamentale Staet van voor- 
seecker gewin grootelijcks daer op gemaekt, Ons over sulcks ver- 
soeckende, wy haer de boven-gheschreven Ampliatie tot haren con- 
tentemente ende meerder ghewisheyt, oock amputatie van alle 
disputen ende contrabanden met onsen grooten Zegel ghecon- 
firmeert ende bevestiget, grootgunstich wilden met deelen ende 
toekomen laten. SOO 1ST, day wy ons in alles genegen vindende, 
omme de voorschreve West-Indische Compagnie gunstelijck te 
favbriseren, nae rijpe deliberatie, met voile kennisse van saecke 
gheaccordeert hebben, ende accorderen mits desen, dat de boven- 
genoemde Ampliatie ten fine voorsz met onsen grooten Zegel ghe- 
confirmeert ende bevesticht werde. Aldus gedaen in onse Ver- 
gaderingc onder onsen grooten Zegele, Paraphure, c\m\c de Sig- 
nature van onsen Griffier, in's Graven-Hage Opten sesthienden 
Februarij [623. Was geparapheert, /. Magnus?*- Opte Plijcque 
stondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande hooeh-gemelte Heeren Staten Gene- 
rael. ( leteeckent, ('. . lerssen. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 121 

dents and officers of justice of the said provinces, and have further 
charged and commanded as we hereby do charge and command all 
boards of admiralty, all admirals, commanders, colonels, captains 
of horse and foot, on water and on land, together with all officers 
of justice, to observe the same and to cause the same to be ob- 
server! and in rendering sentence to govern themselves accordingly, 
without suffering any violation whatsoever. And in order that no 
one may pretend ignorance hereof, we request and summon all 
authorities, magistrates and officers of justice within these United 
Netherlands, whom it may in any wise concern, to have this am- 
plification proclaimed, promulgated and made public wherever it 
is customary to have such proclamation and promulgation made ; 
for we deem this fit for the service of this country and its good 
inhabitants. Thus clone and passed at the meeting of the Lords 
States General, at the Hague, this tenth of June in the year of our 
Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-two. Was paraphed, 
N. vander Meer, vt Underneath was written : By order of the 
aforesaid honorable Lords the States General. Signed, C. Acrsscn. 

And whereas the aforesaid Company through some of their dep- 
uties have later remonstrated and clearly shown that the majority 
and the largest of the subscriptions were thereupon made and that 
without this amplification no sufficient capital could have been 
brought together, inasmuch as the majority of the participants 
largely counted on this as essential for assured profit, and therefore 
request us that, for their satisfaction and further security, and also 
to prevent all disputes and contraband trading, we do them the 
favor to grant them this amplification confirmed and ratified under 
our great seal ; Therefore, being in every way willing to favor the 
aforesaid West India Company, we have after mature deliberation 
and with full knowledge of circumstances granted, and hereby do 
grant, that the aforesaid amplification, for the purpose aforesaid, 
be confirmed and ratified under our great seal. Thus done in our 
meeting under our great seal, paraph and signature of our secre- 
tary, at the Hague, on the sixteenth of February 1623. Was para- 
phed, /. Magnus?*- On the fold was written: By order of the 
aforesaid honorable Lords the States General. Signed, C. Acrsscn. 



122 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Amplification of the charter of the West India Company 2 

February 13, 1623 

Original text 

Ampliatie van't Octroy, In date den derthienden Februarij ses- 
tien-hondert drie-en-twintich. 

De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den 
geenen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. 
DOEN TE WETEN, dat wy op den vier-en-twintichsten Marti j, 
Anno sestien-hondert twee-ende-twintich voorleden, in onse Verga- 
deringe gehoort hebbende, 't geene van wegen de Heeren Staten van 
Hollant ende West-Vrieslandt, door seeckere extraordinaris Gede- 
puteerden voor gedragen is, dat omme te beter te vorderen de West- 
Indische Compagnie, de Sout-vaert op de Puncto del Rey, gelegen 
binnen de Limiten van 't Octroy vande selve Compagnie, ende te 
vooren daer van geexcipieert, in 't voornoende Octroy nootsaeckelijck 
diende ende mochte werden begrepen, ende alle andere Sout-vaerten, 
buyten de Limiten van 't Octroy gelegen, vry ende daer buyten ghela- 
ten. Dat mede de Hooft-Participanten vande voorschreve Compag- 
nie, mogen hebben de nominatie van tripel ghetal, daer uyt de Be- 
winthebbers verkoren sullen moeten werden : Mitsgaders oock dat de 
Steden, daer gheen Kameren en zijn, inleggende uyt heure Gemeen- 
ten op eenen Naem hondert duysent gulden ofte meer, op nominatie 
als vooren, een Bewinthebber op elcke hondert duysent gulden sou- 
den mogen stellen in sulcke Kamer, daer sy goet vinden sullen heure 
Penningen te brengen. Versoeckende dat Wy 't voorschreve Oc- 
troy vande voornoemde West-Indische Compagnie mette voorschreve 
Poincten wilden amplieren, opdat de Compagnie mochte werden 
geslooten, op 't welcke by ons dier tijt wel ende rijpelick gedeli- 
bereert wesende : Wy verklaert ende gheconsenteert hebben, Dat de 
voornoemde Sout-vaert op dc Puncto del Rey begrepen sal werden, 
gelijck wy de selve deden begrijpen in 't voorschreve Octroy vande 
West-Indische Compagnie, op de ordre ende interdictien daer inne 
begrepen. Ende op de twee andere Poincten mede verklaert, dat in 



2 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, 1624, 1629 and 1642 
(Asher, no. 55-61); also in de Laet, Historic ofte laerlijck Verhael, introd. p. [10], 
and in Groot Placaet Boeck, vol. 1, col. 583-86, which text has been followed in the 
present copy. An imperfect translation is found in Hazard, Historical Collections of 
State Papers, 1: 181-82. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I23 

Amplification of the charter of the West India Company 

February zj, 1623 
Translation 

Amplification of the charter, dated the thirteenth of February six- 
teen hundred twenty-three. 

The States General of the United Netherlands, to all who shall 
see these presents or hear them read, greeting. Be it known, that 
we, having heard in our meeting on the twenty-fourth of March, in 
the year sixteen hundred and twenty-two last past, that which on be- 
half of the Lords the States of Holland and West Friesland was 
laid before us by certain extraordinary deputies, namely, that for the 
better promoting the West India Company it was necessary that the 
salt trade to Puncto del Rey, situated within the limits of the said 
Company's charter and formerly excepted from it, should be includ- 
ed in the aforesaid charter, and that all other salt trades, situated 
without the limits of that charter, should be left free and out of it; 
also that the chief participants of the aforesaid Company might 
have the nomination of a triple number, out of which the directors 
should be chosen ; further, that the cities in which there are no Cham- 
bers, contributing out of their funds in one name one hundred thous- 
and guilders or more, upon nomination as aforesaid, might be en- 
titled to appoint one director for each hundred thousand guilders, 
in whatever Chamber they should think proper to invest their money ; 
and that they desired that we would amplify the aforesaid charter to 
the above mentioned West India Company with the aforesaid pro- 
visions that the Company might be completed ; and this being by us 
at that time well and maturely deliberated upon : we declared and 
consented that the aforesaid salt trade at Puncto del Rey should be 
included, as we did include it, in the aforesaid charter of the West 
India Company under the orders and interdictions therein contained. 
And with respect to the other two provisions, we further declared 



124 NEW y ORK STATE LIBRARY 

krachte van 't dertiende Articule van 't voornoemde Octroy, dien 
van Hollandt ende West-Yricslandt, gclijck oock allc andere Pro- 
vincien vry staet de nominatie vande Bewinthebbers, in voegen als 
vooren te laten doen, ten meesten dienste ende voorderinge vande 
Compagnie, Midtsgaders oock geaccordeert ende geconsenteert heb- 
ben, dat de Steden daer geen Kameren en zijn, inne leggende uyt 
heure Gemeenten bondert dnysent gulden ofte meer, op beboorlicke 
nominatie vande Hooft-Participanten, ende over elcke bondert dny- 
sent gulden, sullen mogen stellen een Bewinthebber, in sulcken Ka- 
mer, daer sy goet vinden sullen beure Penningen te brengen. Van 
't welcke wy als nu versocbt wesende by de Bewintdiebbers vande 
West-Indiscbe Compagnie, beboorlicke Brieven te doen depescberen, 
geparapheert, geteyckent ende gesegelt met onsen grooten Zegele 
naer bebooren, hebben wy in achtervolcb van onse Resolutie, op den 
voornoemden vier-en-twintichsten Martij genomen, dese onse Brie- 
ven van alle 't gunt voorsz is doen depescberen. Beloovende 't selve 
goet, vast ende van weerden te houden ende doen houden, ende or- 
donnerende eenen yegbelijcken hem bier naer te reguleren. Aldus 
gedaen in onse Vergaderinge, onder onsen grooten Zegele, Para- 
phure ende de Signature van onsen Griffier, in 's Graven-Hage den 
dertienden Februarij 1623. Was geparapheert, /. Magnus, wt - Opte 
Plijcque stout, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch-ghemelte Heeren 
Staten Generael. Geteeckent, C. Acrsscn. Hebbende een uythan- 
gende Zegel in rooden Wassche aen een witte zijde koorde. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 125 

that, by virtue of the thirteenth article of the aforesaid charter, 
Holland and West Friesland, and likewise all the other provinces, 
shall be free as formerly to cause the nomination of directors to be 
made in the manner which is for the best interest and advance- 
ment of the Company. Moreover, we agreed and consented that 
the cities in which there are no Chambers, upon advancing out of 
their funds one hundred thousand guilders or more, on proper nomi- 
nation by the chief participants and for each hundred thousand guil- 
ders might appoint a director in whatever Chamber they should 
think proper to invest their money. Of the which, as we are now 
desired by the directors of the West India Company to cause a 
suitable instrument in writing to be properly drawn up, paraphed, 
subscribed and sealed with our great seal, we have, agreeable to 
our resolution adopted on the aforesaid twenty-fourth of March, 
caused these letters to be drawn up for all that is aforesaid ; promis- 
ing to keep them and cause them to be kept, well, firmly and truly 
and ordaining that all persons govern themselves accordingly. Thus 
done at our meeting, under our great seal, paraph and the signature 
of our secretary, in the Hague, the thirteenth of February 1623. 
Was paraphed, /. Magnus:*- In the fold was written: By order 
of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States General. Signed, 
C. Aersscn. Having a seal pendent of red wax, on a cord of 
white silk. 



126 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Agreement between the directors and the chief participants of 
the West India Company 3 

June 21, 1 62 3 

Original text 

Accoordt tusschen de Bewinthebberen ende Hooft-Participanten van- 
de West-Indische Compagnie, met approbatie vande Ho : ende 
Mog: Heeren Staten Generael ghemaeckt. In date den 21 
Junij 1623. 

De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den gee- 
nen die desen jegenwoordige sullen getoont werden, Saluyt. DOEN 
TE WETEN, Alsoo op 't vertooch aen ons ghedaen, by eenige 
Gedeputeerden vande Hooft-Participanten vande geoctroyeerde 
West-Indische Compagnie ter Kamere van Amsterdam, dat de selve 
tot verscheydene reysen hen vervoecht hebben ghehadt soo in 't Col- 
legie vande Bewinthebberen, als oock meermaelen met haer Gecom- 
mitteerden gebesoigneert, ten eynde in tijts goede ordre ende Regle- 
ment soude mogen werden genomen ende gestabilieert, tot contente- 
ment vande goede Participanten, op dat de saecken te beter ende met 
meerder vruchts op 't spoedichste in 't werck ghestelt, ende dien vol- 
gende in treyn ghebrocht soude mogen werden, versoeckende onse 
approbatie, 't zy by forme van ampliatie van 't Octroy, of te andersints 
by raminge van ordre vande voorschreve particuliere Kamer tot Am- 
sterdamme, ofte soo wy te raede souden vinden, over eenige Poincten 
aen ons tot dien eynde ghepresenteert. Ende wy alvoorens daer op 
te resolveren, goet hebben gevonden Copyen daer van over te senden 
aen de respective Kameren vande West-Indische Compagnie, 0111 de 
selve rijpelick te examineren, mette Hooft-Participanten communi- 
ceren, ende hare Gedeputeerden, mitsgaders eenige Gedeputeerden 
vande Hooft-Participanten by ons te senden, volcomentlijck gelast 



3 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, 1624, 1629 and 1642 
(Asher, no. 55-61); also in de Laet, Historie ofte Iaerlijck Verhael, introd. p. [19—22], 
and in Groot Placaet Boeck, vol. 1, col. 585-90, which last text has been followed in 
the present copy. An imperfect translation is found in Hazard, Historical Collections 
of State Papers, 1:174-78, reprinted in O'Callaghan, History of Netu Nethcrland, 
1:408-10. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I27 

Agreement between the directors and the chief participants of 
the West India Company 

June 21, 1623 

Translation 

Agreement made between the directors and the chief participants 
of the West India Company, with the approval of the High and 
Mighty Lords the States General. Dated June 21, 1623. 

The States General of the United Netherlands, to all to whom 
these presents shall come, greeting. Be it known, that whereas, in 
a memorial directed to us by certain deputies of the chief partici- 
pants of the chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amster- 
dam, setting forth that they presented themselves several times be- 
fore the Assembly of the directors and also held a number of meet- 
ings with the committee appointed by them to the end that in due 
time proper rules and regulations might be adopted and established 
to the satisfaction of the good participants and that the business 
might the better and with the more profit be set in motion as soon 
as possible and subsequently be brought into proper operation, our 
approbation was requested of several articles presented to us for 
that purpose, either in the way of an amplification of their charter 
or else by framing an order for the aforesaid particular Chamber of 
Amsterdam or in such manner as we should find advisable ; and 
whereas, before adopting any resolution thereupon, we thought fit, to 
send a copy of the articles to the respective Chambers of the West 
India Company, that they might carefully examine them, confer with 
the chief participants and send to us deputies from themselves, as 
well as from the chief participants, fully empowered and authorized, 



128 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ende gheauthoriseert, om daer over, ende wat noch voorts tot bevor- 
deringe van soo een noodige saecke soude mogen dienen, in onder- 
linge conferentie te komen, ende soo doenelijck, finalijcken t' accor- 
deren op onse approbatie. Ende dat die Gedeputeerden vande re- 
spective Kameren, Directeurs ende Hooft-Participanten in compe- 
tenten getale daer op alhier zijn gekomen, ende volgens ten over- 
staen, inductien ende tusschen-spreecken van onse Gecommitteerden, 
nae verscheydene ghehoudene conferentien, communicatien ende de- 
liberatien, eyntelijck als Bewinthebbers, Directeurs ende Hooft- 
Participanten sonder prejudicie vande Provincien ende respective 
Steden, tot vorderinge vande West-Indische saecke, verdragen ende 
onderlinge gheaccordeert hebben dese naevolgende Articulen. 

Ten eersten, Dat geene veranderinge, extentien nochte interpre- 
tatie van het Octroy ofte dependentien van dien sullen werden ver- 
socht by de Bewinthebberen noch by de Hooft-Participanten ofte 
yemant anders, dan nae voorgaende convocatie, communicatien ende 
approbatie van het meerendeel der Bewinthebberen ende Hooft- 
Participanten, die inde vergaderinge sullen present zijn. 

Ten tweeden, Dat in alle vergaderingen daer Bewinthebberen en- 
de Hooft-Participanten t'samen, ofte daer de Hooft-Participanten 
alleen ende apart sonder de' Bewinthebberen sullen besoigneren, alle 
nominatien, deputatien ende electien met eenen name t'effens sullen 
gheschieden met beslooten Brief kens den presiderenden in handen te 
geven, ofte op andere secrete manieren. 

Ten derden, Dat de Compagnie geene Penningen op Interesse 
oft deposito sal mogen lichten, dan met advijs ende consent van 't 
meerendeel der Bewinthebberen ende Hooft-Participanten, Doch 
sullen de respective Kameren in voorvallende noot, voor een reyse 
alleen mogen lichten elck een twintichste deel van 't ingheleyde Capi- 
tael in hare Kamer, sonder dat by de selve Kameren meerder lich- 
tinge sal werden gedaen, voor ende al eer de eerste gelichte Pennin- 
gen sullen zijn afgelost. 

Ten vierden, Dat alle Reeckeningen by het vijfthiende Articule 
van 't Octroy gementioneert, sullen gedaen werden nae stijle van 
Negotie, aen de Gecommitteerde byde Hooft-Participanten te nomi- 
neren, ende onder Eede t'admitteren, binnen den tijdt in 't voorsz 
vijfthiende Articule begrepen, welcke Gecommitteerde daer af al- 
leene in 't gros aen de andere Hooft-Participanten rapport sullen 
doen, Doch sullen de selve Gecommitteerden by Eede verbonden zijn 
niet t'ontdecken, maer alles secreet te houden, dat de Bewintheb- 
beren secreet moeten houden : Sullen mede 't verboth by het een-en- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 120, 

for this purpose and whatever might serve to promote so necessary 
a business, to meet in mutual conference and if possible to come to 
final agreement, subject to our approval; and whereas these depu- 
ties of the respective Chambers, directors and chief participants, 
thereupon came here in proper number and, in the presence and on 
the suggestion and persuasion of our delegates, after the holding 
of several conferences, communications and deliberations, finally, as 
managers, directors and chief participants, without prejudice to the 
provinces and respective cities, for promoting the West India busi- 
ness mutually agreed upon the following articles : 



I. That no alteration, extension or interpretation of the charter 
or acts depending thereon shall be sought by the directors or by the 
chief participants or any others, except after previous meeting, dis- 
cussion and the approval of a majority of the directors and chief 
participants who shall be present at the meeting. 

II. That in all joint meetings of the directors and chief partici- 
pants or those of the chief participants alone and without the di- 
rectors, all nominations, choice of deputies, and elections shall take 
place, one name at a time, by placing folded ballots in the hands of 
the presiding officer or in some other secret manner. 

HI. That the Company shall borrow no money on interest or de- 
posit, except with the advice and the consent of the major part of 
the directors and chief participants ; nevertheless in case of necessity 
and for one voyage only, the respective Chambers may each borrow 
the twentieth part of the subscribed capital of their Chamber, but 
the said Chamber shall not borrow any more before the first loan 
shall have been paid off. 

IV. That all accounts mentioned in the fifteenth article of the 
charter shall be rendered in business form to the committee to be 
nominated by the chief participants, and admitted under oath, within 
the time mentioned in the said fifteenth article, which committee 
shall make report thereof only in gross to the other chief partici- 
pants. But the said committee shall be bound by oath not to di- 
vulge, but to keep everything secret which the directors must keep 
secret. They shall moreover during the time of two years be sub- 



I3O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

dertichste Artijckel van 't Octroy noopende 't koopen ende 't ver- 
koopen, den Bewinthebberen gedaen, onderworpen zijn, geduerende 
den tijt van twee Jaren. 

Ten vijfden, Dat de selve Gecommitteerden sullen hebben ende 
exerceren van wegen de Hooft-Participanten, bet recht den Agenten 
Artijckel seven-en-twintich gegeven ende vergunt: Ende voorts de 
Boecken, Factuyren ende andere Documenten, tot dien eynde tot 
barer beliefte te mogen nae sien, ende de Coopmanschappen ende 
Brieven die de Commercie aengaen, visiteren. 

Ten sesten, Dat de eerste twee vacerende plaetsen der Bewint- 
bebberen tot Amstelredam, als mede de twee eerste van Zeelandt, 
ende de eerste inde Camer vande Mase, sullen successivelijck gesup- 
pleert ende vervult worden by de Hooft-Participanten vande res- 
pective Kameren, absoluyt by pluraliteyt van stemmen, staende 
onder den selven Eedt, hebbende administratie als de andere Bewint- 
hebberen, ende sullen ghehouden zijn den Hooft-Participanten te 
communiceren 't geene haer aengaet, haer recht inde selve ver- 
gaderinge van Bewinthebberen te bewaren naer ghelegentheyt van 
saecken, de selve te convoceren, ende specialick aen de voorschreve 
Hooft-Participanten verbonden ende revocabel zijn, blijvende suc- 
cessivelijck de resterende Bewinthebberen vande respective Kameren 
eligibel volgende bet Octroy, ofte soo als inde respective Provincien 
albereyts is gheordonneert, ofte noch geordonneert soude mogen 
werden : Ende dat by provisie twee uyt de Hooft-Participanten van 
elcke respective Kameren van Amsterdam ende Zeelandt, ende eene 
uyt de Kamer vande Mase ghecommitteert sullen werden, boven die 
inde voorige Articulen vermelt zijn, om ondertusschen 't voorschreve 
recht vande selve te bewaren, tot dat een ofte twee plaetsen sullen 
vacant zijn. 

Ten sevensten, Soo wanneer de Negenthiene sullen komen te 
vergaderen, sullen de Hooft-Participanten vande Kamer van Am- 
sterdam, eene uyt de voorschreve twee Bewinthebberen of provi- 
sionele Gecommitteerden mogen eligeren, om te wesen eene vande 
acht Bewinthebberen inde selve Vergaderinge, van wegens de Ka- 
mer van Amsterdam te compareren, ghelijck mede die Hooft-Parti- 
cipanten van Zeelandt uyt de voorschreve twee Bewinthebberen of 
provisioned Gecommitteerden by hun absolutelijcken ghestelt, sul- 
len mogen kiesen eene, om te wesen eene vande vier Bewinthebberen 
van wegens haer Kamer inde vergaderinge vande Negenthiene te 
compareren. Ende sullen daer beneffens de voorschreve Hooft- 
Participanten, soo vande Kamer van Amsterdam als van Zeelandt, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I3I 

ject to the prohibition in regard to buying and selling placed upon 
the directors by the thirty-first article of the charter. 

V. That the said committee shall have and exercise, on behalf of 
the chief participants, the rights given and granted by Article twen- 
ty-seven to the agents; and moreover, for this purpose, to examine 
the books, invoices and other documents at their pleasure, and in- 
spect the merchandise, and the letters concerning the business. 

VI. That the first two vacant places among the directors at Ams- 
terdam, the first two of Zealand, and the first in the Chamber of the 
Masc shall successively be supplied and filled by the chief partici- 
pants of the respective Chambers, absolutely by plurality of votes ; 
[these elected] are to be bound by the same oath and to have the 
same powers as the other directors, and shall be obliged to communi- 
cate to the chief participants what concerns them, to preserve their 
rights in the said meetings of the directors according to circum- 
stances and to call them together, and they shall be specially respon- 
sible to and [their election] revocable by the aforesaid chief partici- 
pants ; the rest of the directors of the respective Chambers shall con- 
tinue to be elected according to the charter, or in such manner as is 
already ordained, or may hereafter be ordained in the respective 
provinces; and that provisionally two of the chief participants of 
each of the respective Chambers of Amsterdam and Zealand and one 
of the Chamber of the Mase, shall be deputed aside from the com- 
mittee mentioned in the foregoing articles, to take care of their 
aforesaid rights in the meantime, until one or two places shall be 
vacant. 

VII. When the Nineteen shall meet together, the chief partici- 
pants of the Chamber of Amsterdam shall be permitted to choose 
one of the two directors or provisional deputies aforesaid, that he 
may be one of the eight directors in the said meeting for the Cham- 
ber of Amsterdam. In like manner the chief participants of Zea- 
land shall be permitted to choose one of the aforesaid two director? 
or provisional deputies, by them absolutely appointed, to be one of 
four directors representing their Chamber in the Assembly of the 
Nineteen. And in addition the aforesaid chief participants, as well 
those of the Chamber of Amsterdam as those of Zealand, shall each 



132 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

noch mogen eligeren elcks eene uyt de be-eedichde Gecommitteerde, 
Artijckel vier ende vijf vermelt, om die voorschreve Gedeputeerden 
elcks inden sijnen t'assisteren inde voorschreve Vergaderinge vande 
Negenthiene, sonder dat nochtans de selve Geassocieerden stemme 
apart sullen hebben. Ende ten eynde de andere Kameren mede ken- 
nisse van saecken opte selve vergaderinghe verhandelt mogen heb- 
ben, sal die geassocieerde vande Kamer van Amsterdam, den Hooft- 
Participanten van 't Noorder-quartier ende van Stadt ende Landen : 
Ende die gheassocieerde vande Kamer van Zeelandt, die vande Mase 
adviseren van 't ghebesoigneerde inde voorschreve Vergaderinge; 
voor soo veele 't selve communicabel sal zijn. 

Ten achtsten, Dat naer desen niemant tot Bewinthebber sal mogen 
gheeligeert werden, die in dienst vande Compagnie van Oost-Indien 
is: Sullen oock Vader ende Soon, Item, Breeders van heelen ende 
halven Bedden, geen Bewinthebberen in eene Kamer te gelijcke mo- 
gen wesen ; Ende sullen de Bewint-hebberen geen provisie ghenieten, 
ten zy dat sy ten dienste vande Compagnie behoorelijck vaceren. 

Ten negenden, Alsoo het noodich is om een yeder te voldoen, dat 
den tijdt om in dese Compagnie te teeckenen ende te herideren noch 
gheprolongeert werde, tot contentement soo vande Ingesetenen als 
Uytlantsche, dat daerom voor dTngesetenen tot ultima Augusti, ende 
voor d'Uytlandische tot ultima Octobris toekommende, beyde Stylo 
novo incluys, de voorschreve inteyckeninge geprolongeert, ende 
bekent gemaeckt worde deur affixie van Billetten, sonder dat naer 
dien dach yemants anders sal mogen ingenomen ofte inghelaten wor- 
den, maer dat een yeder Kamer gehouden sal zijn den eersten dach 
naer ultimo Octobris sijne Capitalen te sluyten, ende acht dagen 
daer naer Copyen aen malkanderen over seynden: Welverstaende 
dat de aen-ghevangene equipagie, haeren voortganck sal hebben 
tot dienste vande Compagnie, ende dat de geene die haere Penni- 
gen voor andere hebben gefurneert, ende noch sullen furneren 
daer van Interesse sullen genieten tot discretie vande Negenthiene. 

Ten thienden, Ende aengaende de generale reeckeninge, Artijckel 
sestien, ende het veranderen van het derdendeel der Bewinthebberen 
Artijckel veerthien in't Octroy ghementioneert, om eene goede ordre 
ende generalen voet in alle Kameren daer in te houden, is noodich 
gevonden dat dc selve generale reeckeninge geschiede (ses Jaercn nae 
date van 't geven van 't Octroy, beginnende den derden Junij ses- 
thien-hondert een-en-twintich, Stylo novo,) naercoustume van Coop- 
manschap in 't openbaer, mede ten overstaen vande voorschreve Ge- 
committeerde vande Hooft-Participanten vande respective Kameren, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I33 

be permitted to choose one of the sworn committee, mentioned in 
articles four and five, to assist the aforesaid deputies, each assisting 
the one from his Chamber, in the aforesaid Assembly of the Nine- 
teen; nevertheless, these associates shall not have a separate Vote. 
And that the other Chambers also may know of the business trans- 
acted by the said Assembly, the associate member from the Chamber 
of Amsterdam shall inform the chief participants of the Noorder- 
quartier and Stadt ende Landen and the associate member from the 
Chamber of Zealand those of the Mase of the business of the afore- 
said Assembly, as far as it shall be communicable. 

VIII. That hereafter no person may be chosen a director who is 
in the service of the East India Company ; in like manner, father and 
son, or brothers of the whole or half blood, may not be directors at 
the same time in one Chamber. And the directors shall receive no 
commissions unless they properly attend to the business of the Com- 
pany. 

IX. Whereas, in order to satisfy every one, it is necessary that 
the time for subscribing and contributing to this Company shall be 
extended further, for the satisfaction of our own inhabitants as well 
as of foreigners, therefore, be the aforesaid subscriptions extended 
for inhabitants to the last of August, and for foreigners to the last 
of October next, both new style, and the fact made known by post- 
ing of notices ; after that date, no person may be received or ad- 
mitted, but every Chamber must close its subscription lists the first 
day after the last of October, and eight days thereafter send a copy 
to each of the others ; provided, that the equipment already begun 
shall continue for the use of the Company, and that those who have 
furnished money in advance of others, or shall yet furnish it, shall 
receive interest thereon at the discretion of the Nineteen. 

X. And as to the general accounting, mentioned in article six- 
teen of the charter, and the changing of a third part of the direc- 
tors in article fourteen, to maintain good order and a general basis 
in all the Chambers, it is deemed necessary that the said general ac- 
counting be made (six years from the date of granting the charter, 
beginning the third of June 1621, new style) according to mercan- 
tile custom in public, in the presence of the aforesaid committee of 
the chief participants of the respective Chambers, and so on regu- 



134 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ende soo voorts successivelick, elcke ses Jaren te doen diergelijcke 
generate reeckeninge : Doch sal by de Vergaderinge vande Negen- 
thiene, op 't vervolch vande reeckeningen naerder ordre beraemt wer- 
den, ten eynde d'afgaende Bewinthebberen, met gesuyverde reecke- 
ninge, ist doenelijck, mogen scheyden : Ende sal de veranderinge 
van't derdendeel der Bewinthebberen, eerst geschieden ses Jaren 
na den negenden Junij deses Jaers sestien-hondert drie-en-twintich, 
ende soo voorts successivelijck elcke twee Jaeren conform het Oc- 
troy. 

Ten elfsten, Dat niemant het Hooft-Participants recht sal mogen 
genieten, dan die vanden beginne heeft in-ghelecht, oft andersints 
twee Jaren opte Boecken bekent is, voor sijn eygen reeckeninge 
in dese Compagnie te herideren, soo veel een Bewinthebber inde re- 
spective Kameren ghehouden is te doen, volgens den Octroy, be- 
halven dat Kinderen, ende alle andere Erfgenamen, die op eenen 
name de respective voile sommen voor hun eygen Erven, datelijck 
nae de erffenisse ghequalificeert sullen zijn. 

Ende ten twaelfsten, Indien eenige saecken voor vallen daer uyt 
Processen souden mogen verrijsen, tot ondienste vande Compagnie, 
sullen de Bewinthebberen in alle manieren arbeyden, de selve in 't 
minnelijck neer te leggen (soo doenelijck) indien niet, de saecken 
communiceren met de Hooft-Participanten, om met gemeen advijs 
daer in gedaen te worden soo als tot meesten dienst vande Compag- 
nie bevonden sal worden te behooren. 

SOO 1ST, dat wy de voorschreve Articulen gheexamineert ende 
overwogen hebbende, ende tot d'eenicheyt ende goede correspon- 
dence tusschen die Bewint-hebberen ende Hooft-Participanten, mits- 
gaders tot bevorderinge vande West-Indische Compagnie ghenegen 
wesende, hebben met advijs vanden Heere Prince van Orangien, 
goet gevonden de selve t'aggreeren, ende t'approberen, aggreeren en- 
de approberen midts desen, verstaende dat de selve by de Bewint- 
hebberen, Participanten, ende yeder een daer aen ghelegen zijnde, 
nevens d'Articulen van 't Octroy punctuelijck sullen werden naer- 
ghekomen ende achtervolcht, ghelijck of sy den Octroy waren gein- 
sereert, Alsoo wy bevinden 't selve tot dienste vande West-Indische 
Compagnie alsoo te behooren. Ghegheven onder onsen grooten 
Zegel, Paraphnre, ende de Signature van onsen Griffier, in 's Gra- 
ven-Hage, den een-en-twintichsten Junij sesthicn-hondert drie-ende- 
twintich. Was gheparapheert, N. van. Bouckhorst, Yt Onder stondt, 
Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch-ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. 
Gheteeckent, C. Aerssen. Hebbende een uythangenden Zegel in 
rooden Wassche, aen een witte zijde koorde. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I35 

larly every six years a like general accounting; but as to other ac- 
counts, further action shall be taken by the Assembly of the Nine- 
teen, to the end that the directors who retire may leave no unsettled 
accounts if it be practicable. And the first change of a third part 
of the directors shall take place six years after the ninth 4 of June 
this year 1623, and so on regularly every two years agreeable to the 
charter. 



XI. 5 That no one shall be permitted to enjoy the rights of chief 
participants but those who subscribed at the beginning, or else have 
been entered on the books for two years as owning in their own 
name in this Company as much as a director in the respective Cham- 
bers must own according to the charter ; except, that children and all 
other heirs, who inherit in one name the respective full sums for 
themselves, shall be qualified immediately after inheriting. 

And, XII, if anything should happen from which lawsuits might 
arise to the disadvantage of the Company, the directors shall do all 
in their power to settle the matter amicably (if possible) ; if not, 
they shall communicate it to the chief participants, that they may act 
therein with mutual advice, in such manner as shall be found most 
to the advantage of the Company. 

Therefore having examined and considered the foregoing articles 
and being desirous of promoting unity and concord between the 
directors and chief participants as well as the advancement of the 
West-India Company, we have, with the advice of the Prince of 
Orange, thought fit to agree to and approve of, and do hereby agree 
to and approve the same and demand that they with the articles of 
the charter shall be strictly followed and observed by the directors, 
participants and every person concerned therein, in the same manner 
as if they were inserted in the charter ; for we find this to be for the 
best interests of the West-India Company. 

Given under our great seal, paraph and the signature of our 
secretary, at the Hague, the twenty-first of June, sixteen hundred 
and twenty-three. Paraphed, N. ran Bouckhorst, vt . Underneath 
was written: By order of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States 
General. Subscribed, C. Acrsscn, having a seal pendent of red 
wax, on a cord of white silk. 



4 The cony of the Agreement in the introduction to de Laet's Historie ofte Iaerlijck 
Verhael has the third of June this year 1623. which is evidently the date intended. 

« Instead of this article, Hazard inserts article n of the Charter of the W. I. Co., 
which mistake is copied by O'Callaghan in History of New Netherland, 1:410. 



I36 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions 8 

June 7, 1620 
Original text 

Uryheden ende Exemptien voor de Patroonen / Meesters ofte 
Particulieren / die op Nieu-Nederlandt eenighe Colonien ende 
Vee sullen planten geconsidereert ten dienst van de Generale 
West-Indische Compagnie in Nieu-Nederlandt / ende het voor- 
deel van de Patroonen / Meesters ende Particulieren. 

I. Dat de Participanten inde gemelde Compagnie / die gheneghen 
sullen zijn in Nieu-Nederlandt eenighe Colonien te planten / ver- 
moghen met de Schepen van dese Compagnie derwaerts gaende / 
drie ofte vier persoonen te senden / om de gheleghentheydt aldaer 
te besichtigen / midts datse neffens de Ofhcieren ende Bootsvolck 
den Artijcul-Brieff sullen beeedighen / voor soo- veel die haer 
aengaet. Ende betalende voor Mondt-kost / Passagie van 
gaen ende komen / ses stuyvers daeghs : Ende die inde Ca- 
juyte soude versoecken te eten / twaelf stuyvers / ende hun onder- 
werpen in cas van offensie ende defensie haer ter weere te stellen / 
ghelijck als d'andere ; Ende eenighe Schepen van den Vyant 
veroverende / sullen oock haers portie genieten Pro Rata, neffens 
de Bootsghesellen / yeder nae zijn qualiteyt / te weten / dat de 
Coloniers buyten de Cajuyte etende / ghereeckent sullen worden 
neffens de Matrossen / ende die inde Cajuyte eten teghens den 
gheenen die aldaer van's Compagnies Volck de Tafel / ende de 
kleynste gagie heeft. 

II. Doch sullen in desen geprefereert zijn soodanighe Per- 
soonen / die haer eerst sullen hebben gheopenbaert / ende aen de 
Compagnie versocht. 

B3 Ende 



9 V. R. B. Mss 61. Printed pamphlet in original paper covers, measuring 19. 3x1s. 3cm; 
letterpress 11.9x1 1.3cm. The first recto is marked B3; the 3d, 4th and 5th are marked 
respectively C, C2 and C3. It is apparently a separate issue of the second part of 
the pamphlet entitled: Articulen . . . over het open ende ttv stcllcn van den Handel 
ende Negotie op de Stadt Olinda de Pernambuco, ende Custen van Brasil. Hier zijn 
achtcr by ghedruckt De Vryhcden van Nieu-Nedcrlant. Amst. 1631. (Asher, Biblio- 
graphical Essay, no. 332). With the exception of capitalization and spelling it agrees 
with the text published under date of March 1630 in Wassenaer, Historisch Vcrhael, 
v. 4, pt 18, f. 94-980, which is based on that printed the same year for the West 
India Company. Asher gives but one pamphlet of 1630 (no. 331), but his title differs 
slightly from that given by Moulton, History of New York, pt 2, p. 389, and from 
the facsimile title page in Fiske, Dutch and Quaker Colonies, illus. ed. 1:117, them- 
selves different, which suggests that there were various issues in 1630. In 1875, a 
reprint of the 1630 pamphlet in the possession of the New York Historical Society was 
published by Geo. II. Moore, librarian of the society. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 37 

Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions Ga 

June 7, 1620 
Translation 

Freedoms and Exemptions for the patroons, masters or private per- 
sons who will plant any colonies in, an 1 send cattle to New 
Netherland, drawn np for the benefit of the General West India 
Company in New Netherland and for the profit of the patroons, 
masters and private persons. 

I. Such participants of the said Company as may be inclined to 
plant any colonies in New Netherland shall be permitted to send, in 
the ships of this Company going thither, three or four persons to 
inspect the situation of the country, provided that they, with the 
officers and ship's company, swear to the Articles, 7 so far as they re- 
late to them, pay for board and passage, going and coming, six 
stivers a day (such as desire to mess in the cabin to pay 12 stivers) 
and agree to give assistance like others, in cases offensive and defen- 
sive. And if any ships be taken from the enemy, they shall receive 
pro rata their portions with the ship's company, each according to 
his quality, that is to say, the colonists messing outside the cabin 
shall be rated with the sailors and those messing in the cabin with 
those of the Company's servants messing at table who receive the 
lowest waees. 



II. However, in this matter, those persons shall have the pref- 
erence who shall first have declared their intentions and applied to 
the Company. 



0a The first translation of the Freedoms and Exemptions, made by Abraham Lott, jr, 
in 1762, appeared in Moulton, History of New York, 1826, pi 2, p. 389-98, and was 
reprinted in Dunlap, History of New York, vol. 2, app. H, and in N. Y. Historical 
Society Collections, ser. 2, 1:370-77. With slight changes, the same translation has 
appeared in O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, l:ii2— 20; Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. 
N. Y., 2:553—57; Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, p. 1-10; MacDonald's 
Select Charters, p. 43-50; and Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany, 
1630-1894, Albany 1902, pref. p. Ixiii-lxv. The present translation is revised from that 
printed by O'Callaghan, from which it will be found to differ materially. 

7 Artijcul-Bricff ; probably a code of rules of similar tenor as the Articulen ende 
Ordonnantien, ter Vergaderinge vande Hoogh Mogende Heeren Staten Generael ghere- 
sumeert ende gcarrestecrt, Daer op aengenomen ende beeedicht sullen worden, alle de 
geene die hen voortaen in den dienst vande geoctroyeerde West-lndische Compagnie 
sullen begeven, om met dersclvcr Schepen nacr Wcst-Indien, Brazil, ofte anderc Limiten 
van't Octroy te varen, passed Nov. 24, 1647, shortly after the renewal of the charter 
to the W. I. Co. Groot Placaet Boeck, 1:625-54. 



I38 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

[folio lb] 

III. Ende sullen voor Patroonen van Nieu-Nederlandt erkent 
worden / alle soodanighe die binnen den tijdt van vier Jaren / nae 
dat zy haer aen eenighe Camer van de Compagnie alhier / ofte aen 
den Commandeur ofte Raden aldaer / sullen verclaren / datse een 
Colonie van vijftigh Zielen boven de vijfthien Jaren oudt zijnde / 
aldaer aennemen te planten / een vierde part binnen's Jaers / ende 
in drie Jaren nae de sendinghe van d'eerste / maeckende t'samen 
vier Jaren / de resterende tot het voile ghetal van vijftigh Per- 
soonen van hier te schepen / Op pene van by notoir versuym te 
verliesen de vercreghene Vryheden; Doch sullen ghewaerschout 
zijn / dat de Compagnie 'tEylandt van de Manhattes aen sich be- 
houdt. 

IV. Ende vander eerste uyre af / dat zy de plaetsen / alwaer zy 
haer Colon ien willen planten / hebben aenghewesen / voor alle 
andere gheprefereert zijn tot den vryen eyghendom van soodanige 
Landen alsse aldaer sullen hebben verkoren ; Doch deselve plaetse 
haer naderhant niet ghevallende / ofte in 'tkiesen van den gront 
bedroghen zijnde / sullen deselve nae voorgaende Remonstrantie aen 
den Commandeur ende Raet aldaer / een ander ghelegentheyt 
mogen uytkiesen. 

V. Ende sullen de Patroonen door haer Volmachtigheden / ter 
plaetse daer zy haer Colonien willen planten / haer Limiten moghen 
extenderen vier mijlen langhs de Cust / ofte een syde van een 7a 
Navigable Riviere / ofte twee mijlen langhs beyde de zijden van 
eene Riviere / ende soo diep Landtwaerts in als de gheleghentheyt 
vande Occupateurs toelaten sal. Welverstaende dat de Compagnie 
den eygendom aen haer behoudt van de Landen / die tusschen de 
Limiten van de Colonien blijven legghen / om daer van in tijdt ende 
wijle te disponeren nae haer wel-ghevallen / sonder dat yemandt 
anders op seven of acht mijlen haer sal, moghen naerderen teghens 
haren danck : Ten ware de ghelegentheyt van het Landt daer 
on — 

trent 

[folio 2] 
trent sulcks waer / dat den Commandeur endt Raedt op goede 
redenen anders ordonneerden ; Altoos acht nemende / dat d'eerste 
Occupateurs in haers vercreghen Recht niet geprejudiceert en 



* a The words syde van een are not found in the text of the pamphlet here reprinted 
but were written in the margin. They occur as part of the printed text in Wassenaer, 
Historisch Verhael, v. 4, pt 18, f. 95. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 39 



III. All such shall be acknowledged patroons of New Netherland 
as shall agree to plant there a colony of 50 souls, upwards of 
15 years old, within the space of four years after they have given 
notice to any Chamber of the Company here or to the commander 
or council there, s one fourth part within one year and the re- 
mainder within three years after the sending of the first, making 
together four years, to the full number of 50 persons, to be shipped 
hence, on pain, in case of wilful neglect, of being deprived of the 
privileges obtained. But they are warned that the Company re- 
serves to itself the island of the Manhattes. 



IV. From the very hour they make known the situation of the 
places where they propose to settle colonies, they shall have the 
preference over all others to the free ownership of such lands as 
they shall have chosen : but in case the location should afterwards 
not please them or they should find themselves deceived in the 
selection of the land, they may, after memorializing the commander 
and council there, choose another place. 

V. The patroons, by their agents, may, at the place where they 
wish to settle their colonies, [fix] their limits [so that the colony 
shall] extend four leagues along the coast or one side of a navigable 
river, or two leagues along both sides of a river, and as far inland 
as the situation of the occupants will permit; with the under- 
standing that the Company retains for itself the ownership of the 
lands lying and remaining between the limits of the colonies, to 
dispose thereof when and at such time as it shall think proper, but 
no one else shall be allowed to come within seven or eight leagues 
of them without their consent unless the situation of the land 
thereabout be such that the commander and council for good 
reasons shall order otherwise; always observing that the first occu- 
pants are not to be prejudiced in the right they have obtained, 



8 The Dutch of the first part of this article is defective. Literally translated, it 
reads: And shall be acknowledged as patroons all such who within the space of four 
years after they shall declare themselves to any Chamber of the Company here or to 
the commander or council there that they agree to plant there a colony of 50 souls, 
upwards of 15 years old. 



140 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

worden / dan voor soo veel als den dienst van de Corapagnie soude 
moghen vereyschen / het zy om aldaer Fortificatien te bouwen / 
ofte yets dierghelijcke / blijvende (buyten dat) het commandement 
op elcke Baeye / Reviere ofte Eylandt / aen de eerst-komende 
Colonie / onder de Hooghe Jurisdictie van de Hoogh Heeren 
Staten Generael ende Compagnie; Midts dat de naest-komende 
Colonien op deselve Rivier ofte Eylandt / sullen vermoghen een 
ofte meer Raden / neffens den selven te stellen / om met ghemeeu 
advijs den oirbar van de Colonien op die Rivier ofte Eylandt te 
versorghen. 

VI. Ende alle het Landt binnen de voorsz. Limiten gheleghen / 
midtsgaders de Vruchten / Supersitien / Mineralen / Rivieren ende 
Fonteynen van dien voor altoos in Eyghendom te besitten : Ende 
de Hooghe / middele ende laghe Jurisdictie / Visscheryen / 
Voghelryen ende Maleryen / met exclusie van alle andere / te 
houden van de Compagnie tot een onversterflijck ErfT-Leen / te 
Verheer-ghewaden alst versterft met twintigh Guldens par Colonie 
aen dese Compagnie binnen een Jaer ende ses Weecken / aen de 
Cameren alhier / ofte den Commandeur aldaer / een yeder ter 
Camere daer hy oorspronckelijck van daen is gevaren. Des noch- 
tans dat de Visscherye ende Vogelrye by niemandt anders dan de 
Patroonen / ende die zy-luyden dat sullen toestaen / sullen werden 
ghepleeght : Ende soo yemandt nietter tijdt in zijn Colonie soo veel 
quame te prospereren / dat hy een oft meer Steden soude moghen 
fonderen / sal den selven ■d'authoriteyt hebben / om aldaer Offitien 
ende Magistraten te stellen / ende Tijtel van zijn Colonie moghen 
ghebruycken / nae believen ende qualiteyt der Persoonen. 

Sal 

[folio 2b] 

VII. Sal mede aen alle Patroonen / die sulcks versoecken / ver- 
gundt worden Venia Testandi, ofte Octroy / om van de voorsz 
Leen-Goederen by Testament te moghen disponeren. 

VIII. De Patroonen sullen mede alle na gelegene Landen / 
Rivieren ende Bosschagien tot haren oirbacr moghen ghebruycken / 
ter tijdt ende wijle deselve by dese Compagnie / andere Patroonen 
ofte Particulieren worden aengheveert. 

IX. Die dese Colonien sullen oversenden / sullen deselve voor- 
sien met behoorlijcke Instructie / om conform de maniere van 
Regieringhe / soo in Politie / als Justitie / by de Vergaderinghe 
van de Neghenthiene beracmt ofte noch te beramen / gheregeert 
ende ghestiert te worden / welcke zy al vooren de Bewinthebberen 
van de Respective Cameren sullen verthoonen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 141 

except in so far as the service of the Company should require it, 
either for the building of fortifications or something of that sort, 
and that (outside of this) the [patroon of the] first settled colony 
shall retain the command of each bay, river or island, under the 
supreme jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses the States Gen- 
eral and the Company; but the later colonies on the same river or 
island may appoint one or more councilors to assist him, that in 
consultation they may look after the interests of the colonies on 
the river or island. 

VI. They shall forever own and possess and hold from the Com- 
pany as a perpetual fief of inheritance, all the land lying within 
the aforesaid limits, together with the fruits, plants, minerals, rivers 
and springs thereof, and the high, middle and low jurisdiction, 
rights of fishing, fowling and grinding, to the exclusion of all 
others, said fief to be renewed in case of demise by doing homage 
to the Company and paying 20 guilders per colony within a year 
and six weeks, either to the Chambers here or to the commander 
there, each to the Chamber whence the colony was originally sent 
out; however no fishing or fowling shall be carried on by any one 
but the patroons and such as they shall permit. And in case any 
one should in time prosper So much as to found one or more cities, 
he shall have authority to appoint officers and magistrates there 
and to use such titles in his colony as he sees fit according to the 
quality of the persons. 



VII. There shall likewise be granted to all patroons who shall 
desire the same, Venia Testaudi, or liberty to dispose of the afore- 
said fiefs by will. 

VIII. The patroons may also to their profit use all lands, rivers 
and woods lying contiguous to them, until such time as they are 
taken possession of by this Company, other patroons, or private 
persons. 

IX. Those who shall send over these colonies, shall furnish them 
with proper instructions in order that they may be ruled and gov- 
erned conformably to the rule of government, both as to admin- 
istration and justice, made, or to be made by the Assembly of the 
Nineteen, which [instructions] they must first lay before the di- 
rectors of the respective Chambers, 



142 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

X. De Patroonen ende Coloniers sullen vermogen alle haer Volck 
ende Goederen derwaerts te senden in de Schepen vande Comp e . 
mits den Eedt doende / ende betalende aende Cornp . voor 'tover- 
brenge van't Vole als in't eerste Artijcule; ende voor Vracht vande 
Goederen vijf par Cento contant van 'tgene deselve Goederen hier 
ghekost hebben: Sonder nochtans hier onder te begrijpen het 
Bestiael ende andere Gereetschappen tot de Landtbouwe dienende / 
die de Compagnie voor niet sal overvoeren / als zy plaets in hare 
Schepen heeft / midts dat de Patroonen de plaetse daer toe ap- 
proprieren op haer eyghen costen / ende alles provideren / dat tot 
onderhoudt vant Bestiael noodigh is. 

XI. Maer in ghevalle het de Compagnie niet gheleghen en quame 
eenighe Schepen te senden / ofte dat in de gaende Schepen gheen 
plaets en ware / soo sullen in sulcken ghevalle de Patroonen ver- 
moghen / nae voorgaende communicatie 

van 

[folio 3] 
van hare intentie / ende schriftelijck consent daer over vercreghen 
van de Compagnie / selver Schepen of Jachten derwaerts te sen- 
den / mits datse in't gaen of keeren niet en sullen vermoghen te 
loopen buyten haer ordinarie Vaer-water / ende de Compagnie daer 
vooren caveren / ende een Adsistent opnemen tot mondt-costen 
van de Patroonen / ende Maentgelden van de Compagnie. Op 
pene datse ter contrarie doende / alle haer vercreghen Recht ende 
Eygenschap tot de Colonie sullen verliesen. 

XII. Ende alsoo d'intentie van de Compagnie is het Eylandt van 
de Manhattes, voor eerst te populeren / sal aldaer provisionelijck 
oock zijn de stapel van alle Vruchten ende Waren / die op de 
Noort-Rivier ende Landen daer ontrent vallen / eerse vorder ver- 
sonden sullen moghen worden : Wtghenomen die uyt der natuyren / 
selfs daer niet nut zijnde / ofte niet als met grooten ondienst van 
de Eyghenaers daer ghebracht souden moeten worden. In welcken 
ghevalle de Eygenaers van dien ghehouden sullen zijn soodanighe 
ongelegentheyt aen de Compagnie alhier / ofte den Commandeur 
ende Raden aldaer / tijdelijck by gheschrifte te remonstreren / 
ora daer in voorsien te werden / als na gheleghentheyt van saecken 
bevonden sal werden te behooren. 

XIII. Alle Patroonen vande Colonien in Nieu-Nederlandt / mits- 
gaders Colonien op het Eylant van de Manhattes woonende / 
sullen vermogtien te bevaren ende te behandelen die gantsche Cust 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I43 

X. The patroons and colonists shall be privileged to send all 
their people and effects thither, in ships belonging to the Company, 
provided they take the oath and pay the Company for bringing 
over the people according to the first article, and for freight of the 
goods five per cent cash of the cost of the goods here ; without 
including herein, however, cattle and agricultural implements, 
which the Company is to carry over free, if there is room in its 
ships, provided that the patroons, at their own expense, fit up places 
for the cattle and furnish everything necessary for their support. 



XI. In case it should not suit the Company to send any ships, or 
there should be no room in the ships sailing thither, then the said 
patroons, after having communicated their intentions and obtained 
consent from the Company in writing, may send their own ships or 
yachts thither, provided that, going and coming, they depart not 
from their ordinary course, give security to the Company for the 
same and take on board an assistant 8a at the expense of the patroons 
as to his board and of the Company as to his monthly wages, on 
pain, if doing contrary hereto, of forfeiting all right and title they 
have obtained to the colony. 



XII. Inasmuch as it is the intention of the Company to people 
the island of the Manhattes first, this island shall provisionally also 
be the staple port for all products and wares that are found on the 
North River and lands thereabouts, before they are allowed to be 
sent elsewhere, excepting such as are, from their nature, unneces- 
sary there and such as can not without great loss to their owners 
be brought there ; in this case the owners thereof must give timely 
notice in writing of the difficulty attending the same to the Com- 
pany here, or the commander and council there, that such measures 
may be taken as the situation of affairs shall be found to require. 



XIII. All the patroons of colonies in New Netherlands and col- 
onists living on the island of the Manhattes shall be at liberty to 



8a A supercargo; see art. xxiii. 



144 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

van Florida tot Terra-Neuf toe / midts met alle hare gehandelde 
goederen voor eerst wedefom op 'tEylandt van de Manhaftes 
keerende / en betalende vijf ten hondert voor recognitie aen de 

Compagnie / om soo't mogelijc is / van daer / na behoorlijcke 
Inventarisatie van alle ingeladen goederen / na dese Landen 
g'hesonden te worden. Ende oft gebeurde dat sulcks niet en konde 
gheschieden / 'tzy door contrarie Stroomen oft andersints / in 
sulcken gevalle sullen deselve goederen nergens elders mogen 
gebracht worden / als alhier te Lande / 

C om 

[folio 3b] 
om met kennisse vande Bewinthebberen / ter plaetse daer zy ar- 
riveren sullen / ghelost ende gheinventarieert / ende de voorsz 
recognitie van vijf ten hondert / hier te Lande aende Compagnie 
betaelt te worden / op verbeurte van hare gehandelde Goederen / 
ofte de rechte waerde / indien zy ter contrarie deden. 

XIV. In cas dat de Schepen van de Patroonen / in't gaen ofte 
komen / ofte in't bevaren van de Custevan Florida tot Tcrra-Ncuf, 
ende verder niet / binnen ons Octroy / eenighe Prinsen van den 
Yyandt quamen te veroveren / sullen gehouden zijn deselve te 
brenghen ofte doen brenghen / aen de Camer ter plaetse daer zy 
uytghevaren zijn / om by Haer E. gebeneficeert te worden : Ende 
sal de Compagnie het der de-part daer van behouden / blijvende de 
andere twee derde-parten voor haer tegens haer gedane kosten ende 
Risico, alles op de ordre van de Compagnie. 

XV. Sal oock de ghemelte Patroonen vry staen / al-omme op 
de Custe van Nieu-Nederlandt ende Circumjacentien van dien / 
te verhandelen hare Goederen aldaer gheconquesteert / voor aller- 
hande soorten van Coopmanschappen aldaer vallende / uytgheson- 
dert Bevers / Otters / Mincken encle alderhahde Pelterijen / welcke 
handelinghe de Compagnie alleen voor haer reserveert : Doch werdt 
het selfde toeghestaen te moghen gheschieden daer de Compagnie 
gheen Commissie en heeft / midts dat soo lanighe Handelaers ghe- 
houden sullen zijn / alle de Pelterijen die zy sullen konnen be- 
comen / te brenghen op't Eylandt van de Manhattes, soo't eenich- 
sins moghclijck is / ende die aldaer te leveren aen den Directeur / 
om by hem met de Schepen ende Goederen herwaerts aen gheson- 
den te werden / ofte alhier te Lande komende sonder 'tselvc 
ghedaen te hebben / die te lossen met kennisse vande Compagnie 
onder behoorlijcken Inventaris / om by haer betaelt te werden aen 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 145 

sail and traffic along the entire coast from Florida to Terra Ncaf, 
provided that they do first return with all such goods as they shall 
get in trade to the island of the Manhattcs and pay five per cent 
duty to the Company, in order that if possible, after proper inven- 
tory of the goods in the ship, the same may thence be sent hither. 
And if it should so happen that they could not return, whether 
from contrary currents or otherwise, the said goods may be brought 
nowhere but to this country, in order that they may be unladen 
and inventoried with the knowledge of the directors at the place 
where they may arrive and the aforesaid duty of five per cent 
paid to the Company here, on pain, if they do otherwise, of for- 
feiture of their goods obtained, or the true value thereof. 



XIV. In case the ships of the patroons, in going or coming or in 
sailing along the coast from Florida to Terra Neuf and no further, 
within [the limits of] our chaiter should conquer any prizes from 
the enemy, they must bring them, or cause them to be brought, to 
the Chamber of the place from which they sailed in order that their 
honors may have the benefit thereof; the Company shall keep the 
one third part thereof and the remaining two thirds shall belong 
to them in consideration of the expense and risk at which they 
have been, all according to the orders of the Company. 



XV. It shall also be permitted the aforesaid patroons, all along 
the coast of New Netherland and places circumjacent, to trade 
their goods, products of that country, for all sorts of merchandise 
that may be had there, except beavers, otters, minks and all sorts 
of peltry, which trade alone the Company reserves to itself. But 
permission for even this trade is granted at places where the Com- 
pany has no agent, on the condition that such traders must bring 
all the peltry they may be able to secure to the island of the Man- 
hattcs, if it is in any way practicable, and there deliver them to the 
director, to be by him sent hither with the ships and goods; or, if 
they should come here without having done so, then to unload them 
with due notice to the Company and proper inventory, that they 

10 



I46 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

de Compagnie een Gulden van yeder leverbaer Vel / Otter ende 
Bever / blijvende den inkoop Risico 

ende 

[folio 4] 
ende alle andere onconsten tot lastc van de Patroonen ofte 
Eyghenaers. 

XVI. Alle grove Waren die de Coloniers vande Patroonen al- 
daer sullen hebben gheconquesteert / 'tzy Peck / Teer / Weed- 
asch / Hout / Granen / Visch / Zoudt / Hartsteen ofte dier- 
gelijcke / sullen met de Scbepen van de Compagnie overgebracht 
werden teghens achthien Guldens par Last / vier duysent voor een 
Last gherekent / midts dat het Bootsvolck van de Compagnie bet 
Zoudt sullen gehouden zijn te kruyen ende aenboort te brenghen / 
waer van de thien Lasten een hondert maecken. Ende by gbebreck 
van Schepen / ofte plaetse inde Schepen / vermoghen 'tselve met 
him eyghen Schepen te doen overcomen op hare costen : Ende 
ghenieten hier te Lande alsulcke Vryheden ende Benefitien / als 
de Compagnie vergunt is / mits in beyde ghevallen betalende / 
boven de recognitie van vijf ten hondert / achthien guldens van 
yeder hondert Zouts / dat met de Schepen vande Compagnie over- 
ghebracht wort. 

XVII. Ende alle Waren die int voorgaende Articule niet gemen- 
tioneert en zijn / ende gheen Last- waren en zijn / daer van sal 
voor Vracht betaelt worden een Daelder voor elck hondert ponden 
Gewichts / ende de Wijnen / Brandewijnen / Verjuys ende Azijnen 
sullen betalen par Vat achthien guldens. 

XVIII. De Compagnie belooft de Coloniers van de Patroonen / 
inden tijdt van thien Jaren niet te beswaren met Convoy / Tol / 
Accijs / Imposten / ofte eenighe andere Contributien : Ende na 
d'expiratie van de selve thien jaren / ten hooghsten met sulcken 
Convoy als de Goederen hier te Lande teghenwoordigh beswaert 
zijn. 

XIX. Dat zy oock gene Coloniers van de Patroonen / Man ofte 
Vrou / Soon ofte Dochter / Dienst knecht ofte Dienstmaecht / 
sullen uyt haren dienst onttrecken: Ende schoon ye- 

C2 mant 

[folio 4b] 
mant alsulcks begeerde / datse den selven niet en sullen aennemen / 
veel min gedooghen dat zy van hare Patroonen in eens anders 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I47 

may pay to the Company one guilder for each merchantable beaver 
and otter skin ; the cost, insurance and all other expenses to remain 
at the charge of the patroons or owners. 



XVI. All raw materials which the colonists of the patroons shall 
have obtained there, such as pitch, tar, potash, timber, grain, fish, 
salt, limestone and the like, shall be conveyed in the Company's 
ships at the rate of 18 guilders per last, four thousand weight to be. 
accounted a last, and the Company's ship's crew shall be obliged 
to wheel and bring the salt on board, whereof 10 lasts make a 
hundred. 9 And, in case of lack of ships or of room in the ships, 
they may send it over in their own ships at their own cost and 
enjoy in this country such freedoms and benefits as have been 
granted to the Company ; but in either case they must pay, over and 
above the duty of five per cent, 18 guilders for each hundred of 
salt that is carried over in the Company's ships. 



XVII. For all goods not mentioned in the foregoing article and 
which are not carried by the last there shall be paid for freight 
one daelder for each hundred pounds weight ; and for wines, 
brandies, verjuice and vinegar, there shall be paid 18 guilders per 
cask. 

XVIII. The Company promises the colonists of the patroons not 
to lay any duties, tolls, excise, imposts or any other contributions upon 
them for the space of 10 years ; and after the expiration of the 
said 10 years, at the highest, such dues [only] as the goods pay 
here at present. 

XIX. They will not take from the service of the patroons any of 
their colonists, either man or woman, son or daughter, manservant 
or maidservant ; and, though any of these should desire it they will 
not receive them, much less permit them to leave their patroons and 



Hundred; an old measure for coarse salt, equal to 248 hectoliters, about 704 bushels. 



I48 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

dienst souden overloopen / als nae voorgaende schriftelijcke be- 
williginghe van hare Patroonen. Ende dit gednyrende den tijdt 
van snlcke Jaren als zy aen hare Patroonen verbonden zijn / na 
welcker expiratie het de Patroonen vry sal staen de Coloniers / die 
in haren dienst niet willen continueren / hier te doen brengen / 
ende dan eerst in hare vryheyt te stellen. Ende so wat Colonier 
aen een ander Patroon overloopt / ofte buyten zijn Contract hem in 
vryheyt sal begeven / den selven beloven wy / na vermoghen / te 
doen leveren in handen van zijnen Patroon ofte Commijs / om 
aldaer na gelegentheyt van saken teghens hem gheprocedeert te 
worden / na Coustume deser Landen. 

XX. Alle Vonnissen by de Gerechten van de Patroonen ge- 
wesen / monterende boven de somme van vijftigh Guldens / daer 
van sal Appel vail en aen den Commandeur ende Raden van de 
Compagnie in Nieu-Nederlandt. 

XXI. Ende belanghende de particnliere Persoonen / die voor 
haer selfs ofte anderen / die in dienst van haer Meesters hier te 
Lande in minder ghetal / als de Patroonen / derwaerts als vrye 
Lnyden sullen gaen woonen / sullen met goet vinden van den 
Directeur ende Raedt aldaer / soo veel Landts vermogen te kiesen 
ende aenveerden / als zy bequamelijck sullen konnen bearbeyden / 
ende 'tselve in vollen eygendom behouden / voor haer oft voor haer 
Meesters. 

XXII. Oock vermogen te vangen met de vrye Jacht / so. te 
Water / als te Lande / generalijck inde publijcke Bosschen ende 
Rivieren / ende privative / in't Resort van hare Colon ien / na 
d'ordre van den Directeur ende Raedt. 

XXIII. Soo wie 'tzy Coloniers van de Patroonen voor haer 
Patroonen / ofte vrye Luyden / voor haer selven / ofte andere 
parti- 
cnliere 

[folio 5] 
culiere voor hare Meesters / vinden bequamc Stranden / Baey- 
en / ofte andere ghelegentheyt tot Visscheryen / ofte om aldaer 
Zout-Pannen te maken / vermoghen 'tselfde te aenveerden ende te 
bearbeyden in vollen eyghendom / met exclusie van alle anderen. 
Werdt de Patroonen van de Coloniers 00c Schepen toegestaen te 
senden langs de Custe van Nieu-Nederlant op de Visschcrye van 
de Cabeljauw / ende met de Vanghst te gaen adroicture na Italien 
ofte andere Neutrale Landen ; midts in sulckcn ghevalle aen dc 
Compagnie voor recognitie te betalen ses guldens par Last: Ende 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I49 

enter into the service of another, except on written consent obtained 
previously from their patroons and this for and during so man}' 
years as they are bound to their patroons; after the expiration 
whereof, the patroons shall be at liberty to bring hither such col- 
onists as will not continue in their service and then only to set them 
free. And if any colonist runs away to another patroon, or, con- 
trary to his contract, leaves his service, we promise to do everything 
in our power to deliver the same into the hands of his patroon or 
commis that he may be prosecuted there according to the customs 
of this country, as occasion may require. 

XX. From all judgments given by the courts of the patroons 
above 50 guilders, there shall be appeal to the Company's com- 
mander and council in New Netherland. 

XXI. And as to private persons who on their own account, or 
others who in the service of their masters here in this country 
shall go thither and settle as freemen in smaller numbers than the 
patroons, 10 they may with the approbation of the director and coun- 
cil there, choose and take possession of as much land as they can 
properly cultivate and hold the same in full ownership either for 
themselves or for their masters. 

XXII. They shall also have rights of hunting, as well by water as 
by land, in common with others in public woods and rivers and 
exclusively within the limits of their colonies, according to the 
orders of the director and council. 

XXIII. Whosoever, whether colonists of the patroons for their 
patroons, or free men for themselves, or other private persons for 
their masters, shall find any shores, bays or other places suitable 
for fisheries or the making of salt pans may take possession thereof 
and work them as their own absolute property to the exclusion of 
all others. The patroons of colonists are granted permission also 
to send ships along the coast of New Netherland on the cod fishery, 
and with the catch to go directly to Italy or other neutral countries, 
provided they pay to the Company in such cases a duty of six 
guilders per last; and if they come to this country with their lading, 



10 Smaller number than that required of a patroon by art. III. 



I50 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

hier te Lande comende met hare Ladinghe / vry zijn / sonder 
onder pretext van dit consent / ofte van de Compagnie / eenighe 
andere Waren na Italien te voeren / op arbitrale straffe / blijvende 
in't believen van de Compagnie een Sobra Cargo op elck Schip 
te stellen / als in't elfste Artijcul. 

XXIV. Ende indien yemant van dese Coloniers / door zijn In- 
dustrie ende naersticheyt / quame te ontdecken eenige Mineralen / 
costelijcke Gesteenten / Cristallen / Marmoren ofte yets dier- 
gelijcke / oock eenighe Visscheryen van Peerlen / sullen de selve 
de Patroon ofte Patroonen van alsulcke Colonie eygen blijven; 
midts de Vinder toelegghende voor een premie sulcx als de Pa- 
troon alvoren met zijn Colonien sal stipuleren by Contract. Ende 
sullen de Patroonen vry zijn van alle recognitie aen de Compagnie 
den tijdt van acht Jaren / ende alleen voor 'toverbrenghen betalen 
twee ten hondert / ende nae de voorschreven acht Jaren voor 
recognitie ende vracht / een achtste part van 'tghene het hier te 
Lande waerdigh is. 

XXV. De Compagnie sal alle Coloniers / soo vrye / als dienst- 
bare nemen in hare Sauvegarde / ende deselve teghens alle In- 
landtsche ende Wtlandtsche Oorloghe ende gheweldt / met de 
macht die zy aldaer heeft / helpen defenderen / soo veel moghelijck 
zijn sal. 

C3 Soo 

[folio 5b j 

XXVI. Soo wie eenighe Colonien sullen planten buyten 'tResort 
van Manhattcs Eylandt / sullen ghehouden wesen de Wilde van 
die plaetse voor de grondt te contenteren / ende de Limiten van 
hare Colonien moghen vergrooten / midts na advenant Coloniers 
daer plantende. 

XXVII. Sullen haer oock de Patroonen ende Coloniers / inson- 
derheydt evertueren / om op't spoedighste eenighe middelen onder 
haer te vinden / waer mede zy den Predicant ende Schoolmeester 
sullen mogen onderhouden / op dat de Godsdienst ende yver tot de 
Religie in haer niet en verflaeuwe / ende voor 'teerste derwaerts een 
Siecke-Trooster versorghen. 

XXVIII. De Colonien die op de respective Rievieren ofte Eylan- 
den sullen comen te legghen / sullen vermoghen (te weten / elcke 
Rieviere ofte Eylandt voor sich) een Gecommitteerde uyt te 
maecken / die den Commandeur ende Raedt van dat Gheweste 
sal informeren / ende zijns Colonies saecken by den Raedt be- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 151 

they shall be free, but they shall not, under pretext of this consent 
or [leave] from the Company, carry any other goods to Italy on 
pain of peremptory punishment, it remaining at the option of the 
Company to put a supercargo on board each ship as in the eleventh 
article. 

XXIY. In case any of the colonists, by his industry and diligence 
should discover any minerals, precious stones, crystals, marbles or 
the like, or any pearl fishery, the same shall be and remain the 
property of the patroon or patroons of such colony, provided the 
discoverer be given such premium as the patroon shall beforehand 
stipulate with his colonists by contract. And the patroons shall 
be exempt from the payment of any duty to the Company for the 
term of eight years, and for freight merely shall pay two per cent; 
and after the aforesaid eight years, for duty and freight, one 
eighth part of what the same may be worth in this country. 



XXV. The Company will take all the colonists, free men as well 
as those that are in service, under its protection and help to defend 
them against all domestic and foreign attacks and violence, with 
the forces it has there, as much as lies in its power. 



XXVI. Whosoever shall settle any colonies out of the limits of 
Manhattes Island must satisfy the Indians of that place for the land 
and may enlarge the limits of their colonies if they settle a propor- 
tionate number of colonists thereon. 

XXVII. The patroons and colonists shall in particular endeavor 
as quickly as possible to find some means whereby they may support 
a minister and a schoolmaster, that thus the service of God and zeal 
for religion may not grow cool and be neglected among them, and 
they shall for the first, procure a comforter of the sick there. 

XXVIII. The colonies that shall be established on the respective 
rivers or islands 1 that is to say, each river or island for itself), may 
appoint an agent, who shall give the commander and council in- 
formation about that district and further matters before the council 



I52 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

vorderen ; Van vvelcke Gecommitteerde alle twee Jaren een sal 
verandert worden / ende alle de Colonien sullen ghehouden zijn / 
ten minsten alle twaelf Maenden / pertinent rapport van haer 
Colonie ende Landen daer ontrent / aen den Commandeur ende 
Raelt aldaer over te senden. 

XXIX. Ue Coloniers sullen niet vermoghen aldaer eenighe Wol- 
len / Linnen ofte Cattoene Lakenen te maecken / ofte eenighe 
andere stoffen te Weven ; op pene van uytghestooten ende als 
meyneedigh arbitralijck ghestraft te worden. 

XXX. Sal de Compagnie haer evertueren / ora aen de Coloniers 
soo veel Swarten toe te stellen / als haer moghelijck wesen / sal / 
op de ordre daer van te maecken; sonder nochtans daer in ghehou- 
den of verbonclen te zijn / verder of langer als haer sulcx soude 
moghen ghelieven. 

De 

[folio 6] 

XXXI. De Compagnie belooft 't Fort op 'tEylandt van de Man- 
hattcs, op het spoedighste te doen voltrecken in behoorlijcke de- 
fensie. Ende dese Vryheyden ende Exemptien by hare Hoogli- 
Mogh. de Heeren Staten Generael te doen approberen ende con- 
firmeren. 11 

FINIS. 

t'AMSTELREDAM, 



Gedruckt by Theunis Jacobsz. Anno 1631. 



11 Note in manuscript: 1.7. Juny 1629 gearresteert. 



999% 

^e Compaontebetooft t^onoptCplanbttwnee Man. 
hitce,,op[)etfpoeDig{jQe te Doentooltrecfuntn bcljoojliiclu 
twfenfie. <8nDe Dcfe ©jptjcpDen enoc Crcmptien ftp &are 
i^ooglj -£0ool)»Dt i&ceren £>iaten«3en«acl te Dam appjobe* 
unciU)econfirmtten.;.7. 4h~»n t^t^ 

t'AMSTELREDAM, 
Gedruckt by Theunis Jacobfz. Anno 163 




Last page of Uryheden ende Exemption 
YvomV. R.B.MssGi. Slightly reduced 



VAN RENSSELAER P.OWJER MANUSCRIPTS 



153 



relating to his colony; of which agents one shall be changed every 
two years; and all colonies must, at least once in every 
12 months, send an exact report of their colony and of the lands 
thereabout to the commander and council there. 

XXIX. The colonists shall not be permitted to make any woolen, 
linen or cotton cloth, nor to weave any other stuffs there, on pain 
of being banished and peremptorily punished as oath breakers. 

XXX. The Company will endeavor to supply the colonists with as 
many blacks as it possibly can, on the conditions hereafter to be 
made, without however being bound to do so to a greater extent or 
for a longer time than it shall see fit. 



XXXI. The Company promises to finish the fort 0:1 the island ot 
the Manhattes, and to put it :n a posture of defense without delay. 
And to have these Freedoms and Exemptions approved and con- 
firmed by their High Mightinesses the Lords States General. 12 

FINIS. 
AT AMSTELREDAM. 



Printed by Theunis Jacobsz. Anno 1631. 



v: Note in manuscript: Passed June 7, 1629. 



154 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Notification by Samuel Godyn, Kiliaen van Rensselaer and 
Samuel Blommaert that they send two persons to New 
Netherland to inspect the country 13 

January 13, 1629 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam. 

The 13th of January 1629 
President President Godyn and Mr Rensselaer notify the Chamber 

Samuel . , 111. 

Godyn that their honors together with Mr Blommaert by the ships 
now going to New Netherland send two persons, one named Gillis 
Houset, sailor, the other Jacob Jansz Cuyper, with the intention, in 
case they make favorable report to their honors, of planting a colony 
there in accordance with the conditions 13 ' 1 drawn up by the As- 
sembly of the XIX. 

Registration by Michiel Pauw of a colony on the river 
of Sickenames 14 

June 7, 1629 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 7th of June 1629 

President Conf rater Michiel Pauzv notifies this Chamber that his 

de La Mine honor declares himself as patroon of a colony which 

he agrees to plant, on the conditions ratified today in the 

Assembly of the XIX, in New Netherland, on the river of 



13 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 9b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33, entitled: Lijste 
vande Colonien Ter Camere van amsterdam aengegeven, ende jnde Vergaderinghc vande 
xixen: in Zcclandt den 21: decemb 1630: geextraheert (List of the colonies registered 
with the Chamber of Amsterdam, abstracted for the Assembly of the XIX, in Zealand, 
Dec. 21, 1630); and endorsed: Pretensien vande Participanten inde Colonic Rcns- 
selacrsivijck (Claims of the participants in the colony of Rensselaerswyck). 

In the Letter Book occur two series of extracts from the register of resolutions of the 
West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam; the first of these is found on f.c>b-io 
and includes entries for Jan. 13, June 7, June 19, Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov. 1, Nov. 16, 
Nov. 19, 1629, and April 17, 1630; the second series is found on f.38b-4ob and in- 
cludes entries for Nov. 7, 1630, May 16, May 19 and July 7, 1631. Similarly V. R. B. 
Mss 33 is composed of extracts from this register of resolutions for Jan. 13, June 7, 
June 19, Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov. 16, Nov. 19, 1629, Jan. 10, April 17 and Nov. 7, 1630; 
and V. R. B. Mss 34 is composed of extracts for June 19, Nov. 1, Nov. 16 and Nov. 19, 
1630. For Nov. 19, 1629, V. R. B. Mss 35 gives an additional copy. The entry foi 
each of these dates has been printed but once and that under its own date. 

*• Draft of the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, March 28. 1628. 

14 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 9b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 55 

Sickenames, 1 * beginning at the entrance of the said river, and prays 
the said Chamber to be pleased to take notice thereof. 



Registration by Samuel Godyn of the colony of Swanendael, on 
the bay of the South River 16 

June ip } i62p 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 19th of June 1629. 

President Mr Samuel Godijn having heretofore caused it to be re- 

Jehan Gra[s\ . ,, . , . . , , , .-. T 

gistered here that he intended to plant a colony in New 
Netherland and that to that end he had engaged two persons to go 
thither to inspect the situation of the country, declares now that he 
agrees to occupy in the capacity of patroon the bay of the South 
River, on the conditions ratified at the last session of the XIX, of 
which he also advised Director Pietcr Minuict by the last ships and 
charged him to register the same there. 

Registration by Michiel Pauw of a colony on the island of Fer- 
nando do Noronho 17 

October 15, 1629 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 15th of October 1629 



vice President ]\{ r Michiel Pauw declares himself as patroon of the is- 

1C land thus far called Isle fernande Noronho 18 and states 

that he intends to plant a colony there at the earliest opportunity in 



15 Sickenames, or Siccahanis River, a stream east of the Connecticut River; see 
Carte Figurative, 1616, Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 1:13. 

10 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book. f. 9b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33. Third copy in 
V. R. B. Mss 34, entitled: Extracktcn uijt het Register der Resolutien genomen bijde 
Bcwinthcbberen vande Gcoctroijeerde Wcstindische Compaignie ter Camere tot Am- 
stelredam (Extracts from the register of resolutions passed by the directors of the 
Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam) ; and certified by Notary 
Joost van de Ven, Oct. 19, 1649, to agree with the original extracts certified by 
Gijsbert Rudolphij. Translation revised from O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 

1:479. 

17 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 9b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33- 

18 Fernando do Noronho; island in the South Atlantic Ocean, 125 miles from the 
eastern extremity of Brazil. 



156 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

accordance with the Exemptions and Freedoms ratified on the 7th 
of June 1629 by the Assembly-of the XIX. 



Registration by Albert Coenraets Burgh of a colony on the 
island of St Vincent 19 

October 22, 1629 

Extract from . the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 22d of October 1629 

President ]y[ r Albertus Conradus declares himself as patroon of St 

Hen rick Hamel 

V inccnt, among the Cansche 20 Islands and states that he 
intends to plant a colony there at the earliest opportunity in accord- 
ance with the Exemptions and Freedoms ratified on the 7th of June 
1629 by the Assembly of the XIX. 



Registration by Albert Coenraets Burgh and others of a colony 
on the east side of the South Bay 21 

November 1, 1629 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 1 st of November 1629 

President Mr Albert Coenraets and Company declare themselves 

Hcndrick . 

Hamel from now on as patroons of the east side of the South 

Eay, beginning at the month of the bay [and extending] to the nar- 
rows of the South River opposite the land which Gillis Houset 
bought for his masters, intending to send a colony thither at the 
first opportunity in accordance with the articles ratified by the As- 
sembly of the XIX. 



19 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 9 b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33. 

20 Caribbean. 

2i V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io. Other copy in V.R.B.Mss 34. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 57 



Registration by Samuel Blommaert of a colony on the Fresh 

River 22 

November 16, i6?p 

Extracts from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 16th of November 1629 

President Confrater Samuel Blommaert declares himself from now 
on as patroon of the Fresh River, lying in New Nether- 
land between the North River and the river of Siccanamcs, intending 
to send a colony thither at the first opportunity (in accordance with 
the articles ratified by the Assembly of the XIX, and giving the 
river the name of Blommerts River). 

Registration by Kiliaen van Rensselaer and associates of a colony 
above and below Fort Orange, on both sides of the North 
River 23 

November ip, 1629 

Chin Segel 

2 st [signed] J bruijningh 



Copy 



Extract from the register of resolutions kept by the directors of the 
Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

Monday the 19th of November 1629 

President Kiliaen van reusclcier declares himself cum suis from 
Verdoes* now on as patroon on the North River of New Nether- 

land beginning above and below Fort Orange, 25 on both sides of the 
river with the islands therein, as many leagues downwards as the 
Assembly of the XIX has determined, intending to send a colony 
thither at the first opportunity on the conditions framed as aforesaid 



•- V. R. B.Mss, Letter Book, f.io. Other copies in V.R.B.Mss 33 and 34, from 
which the part in parentheses has been supplied. 

23 V. R. B. Mss 35, marked No. 1. Other copies in V. R. B. Mss 33, 34 and Letter 
Book, f.io, from the last named of which copies the name of the president has been 
supplied. 

" Given as Simon van der Does in de Laet, Iaerlijck Verhael. 

26 Beginnende boven ende beneden Van het fort Oraignien. 



I58 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

by the Assembly of the XIX. Underneath was written: Agrees 

with the aforesaid register; and was signed: In the absence of the 

advocate, Johannes Dijckman. 

After collation this is found to agree with the authentic extract, 

which I, notary public residing at Amsterdam certify and in witness 

whereof I have hereto affixed my signature, this 19th of April 1649. 

[signed] /; vande Ven 

nots Pub. 

i ' ! ' : . — ■ xix. 

A : J 640. 

4- 

Registration by Michiel Pauw of the colony of Pavonia, on both 
sides of the North River, from the Narrows north 20 

January 10, 1630 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 

The 10th of January 1630 

M Pauw declares himself as patroon of the colony which, in con- 
formity with the Exemptions and Freedoms ratified by the Assembly 
of the XIX, he agrees to plant at the first opportunity, beginning on 
the west side with Machack machoons land which is included, thence 
southward to the hamels hooffden, 21 and on the east side from the 
Hamels hooffden northward as far as the Freedoms allow, including 
the islands situated within these limits, everything in New Nether- 
land, on both sides of the North River. 



Instructions to Bastiaen Jansz Krol 28 

_ January 12, 1630 

Copy 

Lans deo, the 12th of January 1630, in Amsterdam 
Instructions from Kiliaen van Rensselaer for Bastiaen Ianssen 
Crol, commis at Fort Orange, who if he sees fit may call to his as- 
sistance Dirck Comclissz, his onder-conimis, and such other per- 
sons as he shall think best and advisable. 



20 In V. R. B. Mss 33. 

27 The Narrows. 

88 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, 1.35b. Extract in V. R. B. Mss 36. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I59 

First, Crol shall try to buy the lands hereafter named for the said 
Rensselaer, from the Mahijcans, Maquaas or such other nations as 
have any claim to them, giving them no occasion for discontent, but 
treating them with all courtesy and discretion. 

And what he shall give to the said nations in consideration of the 
aforesaid purchase, he shall take (according to the order of the Com- 
pany) from its merchandise, charging the same by measure or weight, 
to the said Rensselaer. The limits he shall extend as far as possible, 
as high above Fort Orange and as far inland as they will in any 
way cede, equally below Fort Orange, even if it were five or more 
leagues above and as many below the same fort, and as far inland 
as possible, L>:> specially in places where there is flat and good land 
and the least underbrush and trees. He shall also inspect the same 
as carefully as possible in order to write to me all the particulars 
thereof, to wit, how many islands from the uppermost to the lowest 
part there are in the said river, how long and wide they are and 
what kind of soil they have, to wit, each island separately, also how 
far the same are apart from each other and from the mainland, 
about how deep the water is and what further may be of interest. 

Also, how much flat and arable land there is along the river, that 
is the width and the length of each piece, also what follows toward 
the inland in the way of woods and mountains, stating what kinds 
of wood, soil, stone, minerals and the like there are ; all of which 
land he can measure by pacing. 

In case he can not purchase the said lands from one or two na- 
tions, that he purchase the same from all who pretend any right to 
them. Having bought the islands, that he convene not only the re- 
spective chiefs but all the people, in order to make the payment in 
the presence of them all, and that he takes then the chief of each na- 
tion to the island of the Manhates to confirm the purchase before the 
director and council, and that he have the same recorded among the 
resolutions and send me a copy. 



29 de Limitcn, sal hy soo wijt nemen als hy eenighsins sal connen doen, Soo hooge 
endc brect boven het fort Orangien als syluijden eenichsins sullen willen afstant doen 
als tnede bencden het fort Orangien alwaer het vyff ofte meer mijlen boven ende oock 
soo veele beneden hetsclve fort en soo dief> telande in als eenighsins doenlyck is. It 
is not clear from this statement whether the patroon intended that the land should 
extend, if possible, five Dutch miles or leagues above Fort Orange and as many below, 
or that it might be situated at a distance of five leagues from Fort Orange, above and 
below. In view of the limitation of four leagues in the fifth article of the Freedoms 
and Exemptions as to land to be purchased on one side of a navigable river and the 
actual purchase in 1630 and 1631 of exactly four leagues on the west side of the river, 
it is likely that the second interpretation is correct, though the actual wording is in 
favor of the first interpretation. 



l6o NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Herewith a wood-measure rule, i ]/ 2 feet long, the foot containing 
11 inches, 13 feet making one Amsterdam rod and 600 [square] rods 
one morgen of land. 

These instructions the said Crol shall communicate to Director 
Pietcr Mimiit, with the request to show me such favors as the ser- 
vice of the Company permits and no others, notifying him that I 
have engaged Wolff ert Gerritssa, farmer, to direct provisionally all 
my affairs concerning the farms and purchase of cattle, [asking him 
also to] show [said Gerritssz] every favor as to what he may need 
for me for that purpose, also to cause to be made what he may want 
in the way of hardware or other things and to charge the same to 
my account, and if he needs any carpenters, for the erection of my 
houses, barracks, barns, sheepfold or other buildings, to accommo- 
date him therewith if they are not more needed for the Company, 
otherwise, as Cornells Lambertssz Steenbackcr needs carpenters and 
smiths for making his tile and brickyard, the same men could at my 
expense work some days or weeks for me, and if I should need a 
sloop or boat, master Reyn Harmanssen could make the same at my 
expense. 

The said Crol shall also take due notice of everything that is done 
for me near Fort Orange, taking good care that the house be built 
near the creek on the west side of the river, on the north side of the 
creek, on the bluff, so that there shall be no danger of being flooded 
by high water, and that at first the said house be made plain and 
simple, large and tight, and if tiles could be made ready, that the 
house be covered therewith. 

That the land close to Fort Orange as well as near the said creek 
be tilled first, thereafter that on the south side of the house, and 
that the islands be kept for hay and as pasture for the cattle, sheep, 
hogs, etc. 

If it is a good acorn year there, that Wulffcrt Gcrritssen or his 
foreman have a good quantity bought up for me to be kept for the 
winter as feed for the hogs. 

Also to look out that my men work faithfully and diligently, and 
that they do not cheat me or sell any of my goods, and yearly to re- 
port to me the number of horses, cows, sheep and hogs I have, how 
old they are and how many have died or been born each year. 

Also to credit the account of the provisions which my men may 
buy from the Company with the milk, butter, meat and bacon which 
they should deliver in return, the prices being reciprocally made as 
reasonable as possible. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS l6l 

Further, to advise me by all favorable opportunities of everything 
that, from lack of knowledge of circumstances, I can not provide 
for. 

In witness that I have requested this of him with promise of 
proper compensation for his trouble, I have signed this with my own 
hand. Done as above. 

Underneath was written : Kiliacu van Rensselaer 



Instructions to Wolfert Gerritsz 30 
January 16, 1630 

Instructions from Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wulfert Gerritssen van 
Amersfoort^, this 16th of January 1630, in Amsterdam 

Wulfert Gcrritssz aforesaid is engaged by Rensselaer, his service 
to begin on his arrival in that country. He is bound for four sum- 
mers, but RensseV. may end the contract after one or two summers. 

The annual term of service of Wulfert is agreed upon to be from 
April to November, when all the winter seed is in the ground ; and 
if it is very necessary he must stay through the winter and he shall 
receive 20 guilders for each month of service 32 being at his own ex- 
pense as to board. 

I have further engaged for four years beginning in that country, 
Rutger Henrickssz van Soest, 32 years old, who shall receive 120 
guilders a year ; have paid the same in advance f5o and f5 by way of 
present. 

Brant Peelen van Nijckerck on the above conditions for four 
year j at no guilders a year; paid the same in advance f 15 and by 
way of present fio; is 40 years old. 

Pietcr Hendrickssen van Soest, as boy, shepherd or plowboy; 33 
also four years at 15 guilders a year and paid him in advance 15 
guilders. 

As soon as they with God's help arrive in New Netherland, Wulff- 
ert Gerritsss and the aforesaid persons shall go before the com- 
mander and council and make promise there that not one of them 



80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.37. 

51 In the N. Y. Col. Mss, he is occasionally referred to as Wolfert Gerritsz van Couwen- 
hoven. Couwenhoven is a farm or country seat about four miles northwest of 
Amersfoort. 

32 Naer de Lopende maenden; literally, according to the current months. 

38 Ploech-dryver. 

II 



1 62 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

will trade in any peltries or skins, on forfeiture of their wages. On 
the way over they shall take care of 12 ewes and one ram which I 
have bought and send thither, that the same may arrive safely. 

Further, as the farm of Evert fockcn, deceased, which (he hav- 
ing died) has been granted to Rutger Henrickssen van Soest, is not 
all of it fit for cultivation, as it has only just been begun, Wulfcrt 
shall go with Rutger before the commander and council and state 
that they will take care that the plowed land of the said farm, ac- 
cording to the conditions of the lords directors communicated to the 
council, shall be cultivated in order that the Company may draw 
its interest therefrom and, as they according to the same order of the 
directors have the right to transport the cattle with the wagons, 
plows and all other things which the Company has on the said farm 
to other places, that they intend to move the same near Fort Orange, 
and as they, like the other farmers, must pay within six years 600 
guilders in money with the [increase of the] cattle and other ani- 
mals, for the four horses, four cows, two heifers, six sheep, six 
hogs, wagons and plows, that Kiliaen van Rensselaer agrees to 
pay the said amount and cattle to the Company. 

And as Evert fockes has died, if the widow should some day in 
any wise be able to enlarge the said farm, Wolff ert Gerritssz shall 
try to come to an understanding with her on the best possible terms 
and concede her one or two cows in order to make progress in that 
way. As to the plowed land, which amounts to little, she can have 
that cultivated by others. 

And inasmuch as Rensselaer has agreed to plant a colony, and is 
thereby bound to support 50 people in that country, he must neces- 
sarily have many animals or will otherwise not be able to maintain 
his colony. Wolff ert Gerritssz shall therefore try to obtain as many 
animals as possible from this one and that one, paying first of all at- 
tention to the two horses of the stave splitters, which belong to them 
and which he can obtain by giving them a small profit, as they are 
no longer going to split staves. 

Secondly, as I have entered into an agreement with confrater 
Paamv concerning the remaining animals in that country, after the 
eight farms shall each have been provided with four horses, four 
cows, two heifers, six sheep and six hogs, which are to be sold there 
by order of the directors, Wulfert shall address the director re- 
specting this matter that his honor may act therein according to the 
letter signed by confrater Paauzv and myself and written to the 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 63 

director and sent by Bastiacu Janssz Crol. We find by estimate 
that there are about 28 animals in all, of which 15 would be for me 
and 13 for Mr Michicl Paaww, as is specified in the letter. 
Among these would be for me: 
1 stallion of two winters 
1 stallion of one winter 

1 bull 

3 bulls of one winter 
3 mares of two winters 

2 mares of one winter 
i 33a cows of three winters 



Total 15 animals 

Further, Wulfert Gerritssz shall try to obtain as many sheep as 
he can at reasonable price, to send those up too ; also, as many hogs 
as he can conveniently feed, herd or fatten, to sell in that country, 
or otherwise to cure or pickle for the purpose of sending them hither. 

To Bastiaen Ianssz crol I have given an extract from the Reso- 
lution book of the Company, wherein I have declared myself as 
patroon of the North River, above and below the fort, which land 
Bastiaen Ianssz croll shall try to purchase for me according to the 
instructions given him. 

What further may be necessary for the accomplishment of this 
task IViifert Gerritssz shall do according to circumstances and write 
me all the particulars thereof, and try to have the house built at the 
place of which I have written to Crol; other matters I leave to 
their discretion and wish them good luck on their voyage. 

[signed] 




tn^iaML. 




Should probably be 4. 



164 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

First combination of colonies in New Netherland and shares each 
partner is to have in them 34 

February 1, 1630 

Clein Segel [signed] 

2 st / bruijniiigh 

Copy 

Original draft of the first combination of the colonies and of what 
shares each one is to have in the others' colonies, the direction 
of each colony being reserved to the patroon by whom the 
colony was registered and in whose name it was bought of the 
owners according to the sealed instruments. 

,_ 1 

Remarks on the colonies in New Netherland, 

this first of February 1630 

Participants in the said colonies 

Mr Coenradus on the east side This colony was abandoned 

of the bay of the South and not established. 

River 2/5 

Samuel Godyn ditto 1/5 

Samuel Blommaert 1/5 

K. V. rensselaer 1/5 

Total 5/5 

Hereof Mr Coenradus is to have the management in his name. 

Mr Samuel Godijn on the west This colony, to which later 

side of the bay of the South other participants were added, 

■n- 2 /- was begun and finally sold to 

., """ ' ■•*• p the West India Company. 

Mr Coenradus 1/5 

Blommaert 1/5 

rensselaer 1/5 

Total 5/5 

Hereof Mr Godijn is to have the management in his name. 

34 V. R. B. Mss 37, Marked No. 2, f.ij. Notarial copy prepared by Joost van de Ven, 
April 19, 1649, in connection with the controversy between the copartners and the 
guardians of Johannes van Rensselaer. Other copy, without notes, in Letter Book, f.i6b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 165 

Mr Samuel blommaert on the This colony was not estab- 

Fresh River 2/5 lished but abandoned. 

Mr Coenradus 1/5 

Godijn 1/5 

rensslacr 1/5 

Total 5 /5 

Hereof Mr Blommaert is to have the management in his name. 

K. V. Rensselaer about Fort This colony was established 

Orange 2/5 by K: V: rensselaer, as pa- 

t\t & ^" " j" " t 1* troon, who later bought an- 

Mr Coenradus 1/5 Qther ' l/lQ share fr * m the 

Godijn 1/5 heirs of Godijn and has now 

Blommaert 1/5 5/10 shares, the just 1/2, be- 

sides the rights of the pa- 



Total 5 /5 



troonship for himself and his 
heirs. Rensselaer later bought 
the remaining 1/10 share of 
Godijn, deceased, from Jacob 
and hendric trip, so that rens- 
selaer owns 6/10 shares. 
Hereof rensselaer is to have the management in his name. 

Each director shall consult the other participants and ask their 
advice in regard to all matters under the sum of 2000 guilders for 
each respective 1/5 share, but above the aforesaid 2000 guilders 
and up to 4000 guilders for each respective 1/5 share everything 
must be decided by majority of votes, and above that amount by 
unanimous vote. 

The original is written on a half sheet of paper in the, to me well 
known, hand and penmanship of Mr Kiliaen van Rensselaer, de- 
ceased, during his lifetime patroon of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck in New Netherland. which I, judoco vande Ven, scsc. 
jmperiali ab Curie Iwllandie authoritatibus Notarius publicus Am- 
stclodami residens, certify and in witness thereof have hereunto 
affixed my notarial signature, this 19th of April 1649 in Amsterdam. 

[signed] /: vande Ven 

Nots Pub. 

XIX 

A . - J 640. 

4- 



l66 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Registration by Samuel Blommaert of a colony on the island of 
St Martin or on Barbados, among the Caribbean Islands 35 

April if, 1630 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India 
Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 
The 17th of April 1630 
President iy[ r Blommaert declares that he is inclined to plant 
a colony on the island of S*. Martin or on Barbados, 
among the Caribbean Islands, of which he requests a patent, which 
is hereby granted to his honor on the conditions granted to others. 
He declares further that he is also inclined to send a ship to get 
salt and to inspect the said island. 

Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on the west side 
of the Hudson River from Smacks Island to Moenemin's 
Castle and of tract of land on the east side opposite Castle 
Island and Fort Orange 37 

August 13, 1630 

Anno 1630, this day the 13th of August. We, the director and 
council of New Netherland, residing on the island the Manahatas 
and in Fort Amsterdam, under the jurisdiction of their High 
Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands 
and the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, 
do hereby testify and declare, that on this day, the date under- 
written, before us appeared and presented themselves in their proper 
persons, Kottamack, Nawanemit, Abantzeene, Sagiskwa and Kana- 
moack, owners and proprietors of their respective parcels of land 



35 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33. 

36 Given as Hcndrick Brocn, in de Laet, Iacrlijck Verhael. 

37 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 1. The original of this document is now in the 
possession of the Hon. John Boyd Thacher, of Albany. A facsimile and translation are 
in Wilson's Memorial History of the City of New York, 1:163-64; a smaller, but 
clearer, facsimile is in Avery's History of the United States, 2:221. A transcript from 
a notarial copy of the original is in Holland Documents, 1:181—84, of which O'Cal- 
laghan's translation is in Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 1:44. The present translation 
is based on O'Callaghan's but follows the text of the copy in the Letter Book in 
spelling of proper names and in the close. 

As explained at length in a footnote to the certificate of May 1631. on p. 181 the 
present certificate, contrary to the statements made by historical writers, relates to the 
first purchase for Kiliaen van Rensselaer of land from the Indians in the vicinity of 
Fort Orange. 



• VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS • 167 

extending up the river, south and north, from the said fort 38 to a 
little south of Mocncminncs Castle, 39 belonging to the aforesaid 
proprietors jointly and in common, and the land called Semessccck, 
belonging to the aforesaid Nawanemit individually, lying on the 
east bank from opposite Castle Island 40 to the above mentioned 
fort; also, from Pctanock, the mill creek, north to Negagonse; in 
extent about three leagues f 1 and declared freely and advisedly that 
for and on account of certain quantity of merchandise which they 



3S ran dito fort aff. The description of the land in this certificate is literally copied 
from that in the certificate of Aug. 6, 1630, recorded in Dutch Patents, GG, p. 4—6, 
in which the words dito fort refer to Fort Orange, mentioned at the beginning of 
the document. A translation of the main body of Dutch Patents, GG, p. 4-6, is in 
Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 14: 1-2. A facsimile and translation of the original 
parchment certificate of Aug. 6, 1630, are in Wilson, Memorial History of the City of 
New York, 1:163. 

39 Situated on what was formerly called Haver Island, and now Peobles Island, at 
the mouth of the Mohawk River. 

40 casteels eylandt. 

41 Statements by Kiliaen van Rensselaer regarding the purchases of land from the 
Indians in his letter to de Laet, Tune 27, 1632 (see p. 197) and in the "Account of 
the jurisdictions," July 20, 1634 (see p. 307) show that historical writers have erred 
in their description of the territory covered by this first purchase of Aug. 13, 1630. 
Their error is directly traceable to a misconception on the part of Jan Baptist van 
Rensselaer as to the location of the tracts referred to as Petanock and Negagonse, 
which, in his letter of June 10/20, 1678 (O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 
1:125), he places on the east side of the river, whereas the "Account of the juris- 
dictions " distinctly states that they were on the west side, Petanock being defined as 
a tract south and north of the " mill creek," by which is meant the Normans Kill, 
also including West or Castle Island, and Negagonse as a tract extending up to 
Moenem.in's Castle, presumably from the north end of Castle Island or a point just 
south of Fort Orange. From these statements, which are confirmed by the certificates 
of March 1633, by Gerrit Willemsz Oosterum and Peter Minuit, mentioned by Jan 
Baptist van Rensselaer, it is evident that the purchase of Aug. 13, 1630, embraced: 
1, the land on the west side of the river from Fort Orange to the Mohawk; 2, a 
small tract on the east side of the river, on both sides of the present Mill Creek, from 
opposite Castle Island to a point opposite Fort Orange; 3, the land on the west side 
of the river from a point south of the Normans Kill to the north point of Castle 
Island, or possibly to Fort Orange. 

As to the precise location of this point south of the Normans Kill we have no in- 
formation; from the patroon's statement in his letter to de Laet, after the purchase 
of land from Beeren Island to Smacks Island, that they had " all the shore along the 
river on the west side, from beeren Island to Momnenis Castle," we may infer however 
that the purchase of Aug. 13, 1630, included all the land on the west side of the 
river from Smacks Island to the Mohawk, a distance, according to the certificate, of 
about three Dutch miles or leagues. In May 1631, land from Beeren Island to 
Smacks Island was added, making the total distance along the west shore, according 
to the parchment map of Rensselaerswyck reproduced in this volume, exactly four 
Dutch miles or leagues, the extent of territory on one side of a navigable river 
allowed by the fifth article of the Freedoms and Exemptions. On April 23, 1637, 
additional land was bought on the east side from Papscanee Creek south to a point 
opposite Smacks Island. At later dates purchases were made of various islands, 
of land near the Poesten Kill, at Catskill, Bethlehem and Claverack, but no deed from 
the Indians is recorded or among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, nor is any cited in the 
" Case of the Colony of Rensselaerswyck," delivered on April 27, 1678, to the council 
of the Duke of York in support of the petition for letters patent to the colony, that 
covers the land on the east side of the river from a point opposite Fort Orange north. 

It is curious to note that historical writers, in placing the tract " from Petanock, the 



1 68 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

acknowledged to have received in their hands and possession before 
the execution hereof, by virtue and title of sale, they hereby convey, 
cede and make over to and for the behoof of the Hon. Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, absent, for whom we, ex officio and with due stipula- 
tion, accept the same, namely, the respective parcels of land here- 
inbefore specified, with the timber, appurtenances and dependencies 
thereof, together with all the interests, rights and jurisdiction to 
them the grantors conjointly or severally belonging, constituting 
and substituting the said Hon. Rensselaer in their stead, place and 
right and in the real and actual possession thereof, and at the same 
time giving him, or those who may hereafter acquire his honor's 
interest, full, absolute and irrevocable power, authority and special 
command to hold, in quiet possession, cultivation, occupation and 
use, tanquam actor et procurator in rem suam ac propriam, the said 
land acquired by the aforesaid Hon. Rensselaer; also, to dispose of, 
do with and alienate it, as his honor or others should or might d<r 
with his other and own lands and domains acquired by good and 
lawful title, without the grantors retaining therein, reserving or 
holding in the least any part, right, interest or authority whether 
of property, command or jurisdiction, but on the contrary, hereby, 
desisting from, yielding, giving up and renouncing the same for- 
ever, for the behoof aforesaid ; further promising not only forever 
to hold fast and irrevocable, to observe and to fulfil this, their 
conveyance, and whatever may by virtue thereof be done, but also 
to protect against eviction from the aforesaid land, Obligans et 
Renuncians A bona fide. In testimony whereof, this is confirmed 
by our usual signatures, with the ordinary pendant seal. Done at 
the aforesaid island Manahatas and Fort Amsterdam, on the day 
and year aforesaid. Was signed in the several hands, Peter 
Minuict, Director; Picter Bijlvclt, Iacob Elbcrtsz Wissinck, Ian 
Ianssen Brouwer, Sijmon Dircks pos, Rcynicr Harmanscn. 



mill creek, north to Negagonse " on the east side of the river, have apparently realized 
that the purchase of Aug. 13, 1630, did not cover the distance from Smacks Island 
to Fort Orange, unless the words de Revigre op zuyden ende noorden, van dito fort 
aff were taken to mean " up the river, south and north of the said fort." Any one 
familiar with the wording of the Dutch patents will recall however that such phrases 
as zuyden ende noorden, or zuyd oosten ende noord westen, occur in almost every 
patent and have reference either to the mere direction of the compass, south and 
north, or southeast and northwest, or else to two parallel courses, up one side of the 
land described and down the other. 

If, as it would seem, no deed from the Indians to the Van Rensselaers, for land 
on the east side of the river from opposite Fort Orange north, was procured up to 
1678, when efforts were made to secure a patent for the colony from the Duke of 
York, it is interesting to reflect how the evident mistake about the location of the 
tracts called Pctanock and Negagonse may have helped to include the land on the 
east side, north of the present city of Rensselaer, in the patent of Nov. 4, 1685. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 169 

There was written besides : This conveyance written with mine 
own hand is, in consequence of the secretary's absence, executed in 
my presence on the thirteenth of August, XVI C and thirty, as above. 
And was signed, Lenaert Cole, deputy secretary; 42 the seal of New 
Netherland in red wax depending from a double strip of parchment. 

Symon Dircksz Pos, councilor in New Netherland, to Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer 43 

September 16, 1630 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Worthy, wise, prudent, honorable Guliaen van Rensel: 

Since, up to this date, I have been assisted and favored by your 
honor, I can not refrain from advising your honor what I think 
of the Company's affairs and the situation here at the present day. 
As to the building of a certain new ship which is now almost ready, 
it proves a success but damage may be done to it by the strong ice 
drift we are having; however, we hope to protect it sufficiently. 
As to the farms on the manathans, much land is daily being plowed 
everywhere by the farmers. I have strong hopes now that the 
honorable directors after their long waiting may at last be relieved 
from great expenses, since we shall be able to deliver a number of 
lasts of rye and wheat, raised from the land here, thus meeting 
heavy charges. This present year we shall be in need of much 
seed as we are clearing, harrowing and plowing much land. I 
can also not help advising your honor of the disputes which exist 
in this small settlement of not more than 200 or 300 people. 

Now, the director and Jan Romondc are very much embittered 
against one another. Here all is left to drift as it will; they let 
trade slip away and do not exert themselves to increase it either 
by sloops or otherwise, but are very diligent in bringing exorbitant 
suits and charges against one another and in neglecting the interests 
and business of the directors. The minister, Jonas Michielsa, is 
very energetic here stirring up the fire between them; he ought 
to be a mediator in God's church and community but he seems to 
me to be the contrary. The honorable directors hear nothing but 



42 Marginal note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer: Underneath, Jan Lampo, 
Schout. 

43 V. R. B. Mss 2. Printed . in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 8:70-71, as Appendix 
B to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



170 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

idle complaints from their subjects; one says this, the other that, 
so that in place of the Company's servants looking after the trading, 
some one else in the meanwhile goes off with the skins. 

The English on the sloepsbay 4:ia will in the meantime drive us out 
of the trade since we go to work so slowly and are so slack in our 
business. The sloops lie idle and are not sent out to trade, but 
were an injurious suit to be brought, people would be quick enough 
about it ; the trade, which is of the utmost importance to the Com- 
pany and ought to bring profit, they allow to go to ruin. While 
we here in this country are pursuing each other with suits and in- 
famous invectives, the people send the otters and beavers under 
such cover as may be, stored away in their chests, from which the 
honorable lords will not be able to draw much profit. Well, I am 
no more than a man, and am grieved that I must behold such things 
as' people here so vexing each other. As to your honor's land at 
Fort Orange, it has been ploughed by your honor's farmer Wolfcrl 
Gerritsz and I do my best, since your honor has also done his best 
to make a man of me, for which I am most highly grateful to 
your honor. I would also recommend to your honor my cousin 
dirck Joosten, who is now coming home as mate with Jan Browwer, 
since he is a good, upright young man. As to the specification of 
the animals, that will appear more fully from the director's letter, 
but I shall carefully look after your honor's affairs here that they 
may bring profit to your honor. By this dirck joosten, I send your 
honor a fine bearskin, which your honor can use in traveling and 
boating or as your honor sees fit. Done, the 16th of September 
1630, in New Netherland at the Manathans, Fort Amsterdam. 

Your honor's willing servant, 

sijinon dircxz pos 
[Addressed] 

The worshipful, wise, prudent, honorable Guliaen van Rcnschtcr, 
director of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Am- 
sterdam, 

by dirck ioostcn, with 1 bearskin. 

I seall 



43a Narragansett Bay, R. I. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 171 

Agreement between the patroons, Samuel Godyn, Albert Coen- 
raets Burgh, Samuel Blommaert and Kiliaen van Rensselaer 44 

October i, i6$o 

WITH A NOTE BY KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER OF MARCH 2, 1639 

In the name of the Lord, Amen. Whereas we, the underwritten, 
are inclined to plant some colonies in New Netherland as elsewhere 
within the limits of the charter of the West India Company accord- 
ing to the Freedoms and Exemptions granted by the Assembly of 
the XIX of the said Company to all participants, and for this pur- 
pose have already had several colonies registered. 

First, along the bay of the South River with the land on the 
west side thereof, which has been bought for us from the natives by 
Cillis Housct. 

Secondly, on the east side of the South Bay from the mouth of 
the bay to the narrows of the said South River. 

Thirdly, on the Fresh River lying- between the North River and 
the river of Ciccanamcs. 

Fourthly, along the North River above and below Fort Orange, 
on both sides of the said river. 

Fifthly, the island SK Marttijn or Barbados among the Caribbees. 

And whereas we have finally obtained consent to send some 
people to the islands of Tortuga and Majaguane, both lying to the 
north of the island Hispaniola, and also to furnish the French there 
with provisions and other necessaries, everything conformable to 
the respective registrations and consents, as appears from the reso- 
lution book of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam. 
Therefore, regarding all these colonies, commercial enterprises and 
everything connected therewith, we have mutually and reciprocally 
contracted and agreed with one another, for ourselves, our heirs, 
successors and assigns, as we do contract and agree by these 
presents (notwithstanding any previous agreements or promises 
which may be to the contrary and which we hereby expressly abro- 
gate and declare void) that henceforth and in the future, all the 
aforesaid colonies, enterprises and freedoms and what in any wise 
depends thereon, shall be for the advantage, profit or loss of all 
four of us, hereafter named, each for one just fourth part, accord- 
ing to which the ownership, losses and profits, purchases and sales, 



** V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.6b. 



172 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

expenses, expenditures, cargoes, returns, cattle, agriculture, fisheries 
and what in anywise depends thereon, or proceeds therefrom, shall 
be reckoned, with this express stipulation and restriction that no one 
of us four shall be allowed to enter into partnership or form a com- 
pany with any one else for similar purposes, or undertake anything 
for himself, without having first communicated and fully disclosed 
the same to these his partners, who if they think fit may share 
therein with him, each for one fourth part. 

It is further stipulated that the entire direction of the work (both 
now and in the future) shall be in the hands of all four of us, 
hereafter named (but that in case of a tie the presiding officer shall 
have a double vote), and that all affairs of importance which con- 
cern this company in any manner must first be passed by resolu- 
tion and then entered in a general resolution book, and to prevent 
as much as possible all disputes, it is agreed that all resolutions 
passed by a plurality of votes shall have the same effect as those 
voted unanimously. Samuel Godijn shall preside first for the term 
of three months from the date hereof, thereafter Albertus Coen- 
racdus for the same length of time, thereafter Samuel Blommaert as 
above and finally Kiliaen van Rensselaer for the same period, so 
that every year each one of us four shall preside for three months. 

Each one of us four shall have liberty in case of indisposition 
or otherwise to substitute another person in his place, on condition 
that he cede to the same all his powers in this company, none 
excepted, and if he fails to nominate any one during his lifetime, 
his place shall be filled successively by his nearest heirs (sons 
being preferred to daughters and brothers to sisters). 

All books, letters, papers and other things of the kind shall be 
owned in common and be kept in a neutral place at the expense 
of the company. 

All superscriptions of letters and contracts shall be made out 
in our four names in the order above named, but in case of death 
or substitution the last comer shall have the last place, and if in 
course of time a distinctive name be given to the company, then 
this name instead of the names of the directors, is to be used. 

It is also agreed that a common bookkeeper and such other 
servants shall be engaged at the expense of the company as shall 
later be thought fit. 

No one of this company shall be allowed to withdraw his money 
or to presume to reap for himself alone the benefit of his share in 
the returns or other goods, but everything must be done in the name 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I73 

of the company, no one having the right to take anything for him 
self. To this end we shall settle what each one may take under 
his care, of which he shall be commissioner 45 for such time as shall 
be voted ; also that the treasurer shall pay nothing that is not pro- 
vided by resolution or signed by order of two partners and in their 
absence by the presiding officer. 

For the purposes of this company it is agreed to form a capital 
of twenty thousand guilders, that is for each director's portion or 
fourth share, five thousand guilders, which money must be paid 
into the hands of the treasurer at such time as shall hereafter be 
decided, and in case any one of us fail to furnish his quota afore- 
mentioned he shall be obliged to pay to the company one month 
after the said date interest at the rate of one penny in sixteen, and 
if the said delay should be longer than half a year, the person in 
default shall on pain of execution on his share be notified to make 
prompt payment, and if within three months from that date said 
payment is not made, the company shall have liberty without any 
action at law to sell his share, publicly at his charge, and to levy the 
money thus due, both capital and interest, by execution on his per- 
son and estate, movable as well as immovable, in the manner afore- 
said, and the remaining directors shall have the right to put another 
director in his place, which may also be done temporarily or. 
permanently if such place become vacant in any other way. If 
hereafter any one else should be inclined to participate in this com- 
pany and the same be thought advisable, it must be on the basis of 
a share in the whole, the direction remaining as before exercised by 
four votes except that the directors shall then draw from the 
common treasury for their trouble a commission of one per cent 
on goods going out and of two per cent on goods coming in, as far 
as trade is concerned, but of the yearly revenues, increase of cattle, 
land and orchard fruits or crops, minerals, pearl fisheries and such 
things which appertain to the colonies, they shall receive five per 
cent, that is to say of the net proceeds and not of the gross proceeds. 
When it is unanimously resolved to distribute the proceeds, the same 
shall be divided among all the participants proportionately, accord- 
ing to the amount of each man's investment, but the said partici- 
pants shall have no right to constrain the directors to make such 
distribution. Whereas the fiefs of the respective colonies afore- 
named must in case of death be renewed by the Chartered West 
India Company in the name of a single person in order to pay the 



15 Commissaris. 



174 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Company its stipulated fee after the said person's death, we have 
agreed, without prejudice to our ownership, right and interest in 
the said colonies, that Samuel Godijn for himself, his heirs, suc- 
cessors and assigns, shall bear the title of patroon of the colony on 
the west side of the bay of the South River and give to the same 
and to the places within its jurisdiction such names as he shall 
see fit. 

Albert Cocnraets Burgh shall on the above conditions bear the 
title of patroon of the colony on the east side of the aforesaid bay 
of the South River. 

In the same way Samuel Bio mart of the Fresh River, the island 
of ^ f . Martijn or Barbados or of such other island as in case of 
refusal of any of these he shall select with common consent, which 
privilege the otbers in such case shall have also. 

And Kiliaen van Rensselaer of the colony on the North River 
lying above and below Fort Orange on both sides of the said river. 
Thus done and approved, after previous reading of the decisions, 
and in testimony of the truth four copies of like tenor have been 
made hereof, signed by each of us with his own hand, without 
guile or deceit, in Amsterdam the ist of October 1630; and was 
signed with the several hands, 5\ Godijn, S. blomaert, K V Rens- 
selaer. Underneath was further written as follows : Whereas Mr 
Albcrtus Conradj had before this ceded me his half and his wife 
now in his honor's absence neglects matters entirely, I have signed 
for one fourth, but with this understanding that if his honor on his 
return home thinks that he sees anything to his detriment herein, 
I submit myself to the decision of the aforementioned three gen- 
tlemen ; and was signed, /. dc Lact. 

I, Joost vandc Ven, imperial notary public ad- 
mitted by the Court of Flolland, residing within the 
city of Amsterdam, declare hereby that this copy 
written on the five preceding and this the sixth 
page of paper, is the true and complete copy of 
its original, and in witness hereof I have confirmed 
this with my notarial signature, in Amsterdam this 
19th of April 1634. 

[signed] /: vande Ven 

Nots Pub: 

H). 

A°. — 1634. 

■I- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 175 

46 Inasmuch as three of the above mentioned four colonies have 
come to an end, to wit, the colony on the west side of the bay of 
the South River whereof Samuel Godijn was the patroon ; also, the 
colony on the east side of the aforesaid bay of which albcrtus Co en- 
nui us or Jehan dcLact was the patroon, both of which colonies have 
been sold and turned over to the West India Company; third, the 
colony on the Fresh River and the island of St. Marti jn of which 
Samuel blommaert was to be the patroon but which was not begun 
at all ; there remains at present of the said four colonies only that on 
the North River lying above and below Fort Orange now named 
Rehsselaerswyck, of which Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his heirs 
are patroons, holding, with the purchased tenth share of the heirs of 
Samuel Godijn deceased, five tenth shares or the exact half, Samuel 
blommaert and adam bessels each one tenth share, Jehan de lact 
and 47 Mussaert in place of Albcrtus Cocnradj each one 

tenth share and Jacob and hendrick Trip together one tenth share. 

This 2d of March 1639 in Amsterdam. 

[signed] K V Rensselaer 

Registration by Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his copartners of a 
colony on Sable Island 4 ** 

November J, 1630 

Extract from the resolution book at Amsterdam 
The 7th of November 1630, in Amsterdam 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer, for himself and his copartners, notifies 
the Chamber that according to the Freedoms granted by the As- 
sembly of the XIX to all the participants he declares himself from 
now on as patroon of the island of du Sable, lying at 43 or 44 
degrees north of the line and about the meridian of Cape Breton, 
intending to send a colony thither on the conditions of the aforesaid 
Freedoms. 

This Chamber has nothing against this registration provided that 
according to the last resolution the same be approved by the XIX. 



40 Note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

17 Blank in Letter Book. 

« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, 1.38b. Other copy in V. R. B. Mss 33- 



176 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Registration of various colonies with the Chamber of 
Middelburg 49 

Before December 21, 1630 

Notice given to the Chamber of Zealand 

Burgomaster Johan de Moor and his partners in Tabago 

The same on the Amasones 

Abraham vande per in Brebice 

Glaude provost in Cajana ~) . , , , , , ,, . 

_ . . „ in behalf of their partners 

Jan van rien in Quaro y , . 

_ . . „ [ who give it up 

jan vander Goes in ipse quepe w J 

Coll 2 . 

Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Marinus 
Adriaensz van der Veere 51 

January 12, 16 '31 

Agreement entered into with Maryn adriaensen van der Veere, on 
the 12th of January 163 1 

On conditions and terms hereafter specified, Kiliaen van Rens- 
selaer, as patroon of his colony situated about Fort Orange on the 
North River of New Netherland, on one side, and Maryn Ariaens- 
sen vander Veere, for himself and his men, on the other side, have 
agreed, stipulated and contracted regarding the sowing, growing 
and cultivating of tobacco in the aforesaid region at the places to 
be indicated to the said Marti} n by the aforesaid patroon or his 
agents and especially on the farm on the north side of the fort (if 
the same has not been occupied before his arrival as the first comer 
has the preference) which he began to clear before his departure, 
making it as large again or even larger by extending it from but 
not toward the fort. All this for the term of thrde consecutive 
years, commencing at the arrival of the said Marijn and his men in 
New Netherland on the farm aforesaid. 

First, Maryn must equip and provide himself with everything at 
his own expense and charge, and also here or in that country engage 



49 V. R. B. Mss 33. 
60 Essequebo. 

51 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, {.2. An extract from this agreement is found in 
V. R. B. Mss 38; sec p. 674-75. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 177 

four persons to assist him in the planting and curing of the to- 
bacco, it being well understood that he, Marijn, or his men, if they 
have any time to spare, must employ the same for such other work, 
nothing excepted, as the patroon or his agents shall indicate, and 
that he shall receive therefor according to the time spent and for 
his share such wages as his men have stipulated. 52 

The patroon shall receive the just half of all the tobacco which 
Mary n and his men shall cultivate, the remaining half to be for 
Maryn. The patroon 's half may not be charged or encumbered 
under any pretext of promises, claims, wages or other charges 
which Maryn must liquidate or settle, but his men must demand 
and recover from Maryn or his share whatever has been credited 
to them by him. 

The patroon shall be holden to compensate Marijn Ariaenssen 
for one half of the wages and advance money which he shall 
promise to the aforesaid four persons, provided that he may not 
engage any one without the consent and approbation of the pa- 
troon and that the latter shall not be bound to give Marijn any com- 
pensation for his labor as Marinus during the term of this agree- 
ment is not to pay the patroon any rent for the land or any tithes. 
As to the board of the four persons for which the patroon is 
obliged to compensate maryn, it is agreed that the patroon shall pay 
his half to Maryn at a reasonable figure corresponding and in pro- 
portion to the price which he shall demand for the wheat, butter, 
milk and other things with which he shall furnish Maryn, in order 
that neither the one nor the other have any ground for complaint 
respecting the matter. 

Concerning the passage forth and back, the patroon shall do his 
best to obtain permission from the Company that Marijn and his 
wife and child be taken over for their board without wages, on 
condition that he perform all sorts of ship duties, and if this can 
not be arranged Maryn shall pay the expenses himself. 

But as far as the four men or any of them are concerned, if 
they can not obtain free passage for their labor and ship duties, 
the patroon must pay one half thereof and marijn the other half. 

Marinis Adriacnsscn must buy four good firelocks, further axes, 
adzes, shovels and spades which his men need for their work; of 
which the patroon shall pay half the cost and Maryn see to it that 
they are well kept and taken care of, the same to be divided half 
and half at the end of the three years. 



62 Daer voor genietende naer avenant dcs tijts endc voor syn quota soodanigen 
Solaris als het rolck bedongen heeft. 



178 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

All the tobacco which Marijn and his men shall produce, he must 
send hither and deliver into the hands of the patroon or deliver to 
his agent to be sent hither by him ; Maryn is to pay no more in the 
way of freight and expenses for his half than the patroon shall 
pay for the other half, and on its arrival here the patroon shall 
sell the same for the common benefit and pay to Marijn aforesaid 
or to his order the just half of the net proceeds over and above the 
expenses and advanced money. But if Maryn Adriaenssen should 
be able to sell any tobacco in that country at a good price, he must 
render proper account thereof and pay the patroon or his agents 
promptly the just half of the proceeds. If it is at all convenient 
the patroon shall have built for the said Maryn a dwelling of four 
crossbeams, 36 feet long and 14 feet wide, also a small boat 53 
which being once made must be kept in repair by Maryn and on 
his departure be delivered by him as he received it, wear and tear 
through hard use excepted. 

Marinus Adriaenssen and his men must yearly make a trip down 
to the Manhatas and return thence without having any right to 
claim compensation therefor, but if they are oftener employed on 
such service they must be paid accordingly. 

In case he, Marijn, his wife, his children or any of his men hap- 
pen to find any mines, minerals, pearl fisheries or the like they 
shall disclose the same to no one but their patroon or his agents, 
who shall make them a handsome present therefor according to 
the importance of the matter. They shall further all submit them- 
selves to the sovereignty of the High Mighty Lords the States 
General of these United Netherlands, to the supreme power and 
direction of the Chartered West India Company in general and of 
the aforesaid Rensselaer in particular, and to the ordinances and 
regulations to be passed there by them respectively in matters of 
justice and police, and be obliged to take the oath of obedience and 
fidelity, especially to refrain from trading, negotiating or carrying 
on business there against the order and intention of the Company 
and -their aforesaid patroon, whether in skins, seawan or other 
goods found there, and not to accept the same by way of present or 
otherwise, nor to take merchandise from here with them, for them- 
selves or for others, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatso- 
ever, on pain of confiscation and penalties fixed by the Company or 
still to be fixed, and furthermore of banishment from the colony as 
a perjurer and a refractory character, 54 for which he, Maryn, must 



63 IVeyschuijtgen; a light boat which can be carried across the fields. 

64 A Is Meyncedigh ende wedcrspannich uyt de Colonic gestooten worden. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 1 79 

answer and stand responsible both for himself and for the afore- 
said four men or others whom he may have under his orders. 
They are further not allowed to terminate this contract before the 
expiration of the said term of three years (unless their patroon 
give them permission to do so) and contract with any one else or 
sow any one else's fields, on pain of forfeiture for the benefit of 
the aforementioned Rensselaer as patroon, of the whole amount of 
his share in the sowed, cultivated, sold and unsold tobacco and 
also to give up at once the lands, houses and tools, leaving every- 
thing to be disposed of as aforesaid even if he alone should have 
paid for some of them 

And in case any one or more of the said four men should leave 
or drop out, he must fill his place as quickly as possible with 
another able man. He must also by every ship and yacht sailing 
hither send proper reports and accurate accounts of everything in 
all sincerity without concealment or disposal of anything at private 
sales. 

In witness of the truth of the above agreement, this is signed 
bv the patroon and Maryn Adriacnssen with their own hands, in 
the presence of the undersigned witnesses, in Amsterdam, this 
twelfth of January in the )^ear sixteen hundred and thirty one. 

Was signed in the several hands, Kiliacn van Rensselaer, ma- 
rinus Ariacns, W. Van Tzviller as witness. 

Agreement of Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere with 
Jasper Ferlyn van der Gouw 55 

February 17, 1631 

Jaspar Ferlijn vander Gouw, living at Middelburgh in the Latin 

School street, has bound himself unto and entered into the service 
of marinus Adriaenssen vander Veer, to assist him in the planting 
and cultivating of tobacco or such other work as he may be ordered 
to do by the aforementioned Maryn or in the name of his patroon, 
no exception as to any kind of work being made, everything accord- 
ing to the order and regulations of the Chartered West India Com- 
pany and the further conditions [of the contract] made by the 
said Marinus Adriaensz with Kiliaen van Rensselaer as patroon of 
the lands lying around Fort Orange on the North River of New 
Netherland, during a term of service of three years, commencing 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.4. 



l8o NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and ending as stated in the said contract. The aforesaid Iaspar 
ferlyn shall receive u guilders a month, to be paid annually and 
shall receive cash before his departure, as an advance, 40 guilders 
and in addition 10 stivers a day for wages from the 12th of Jan- 
uary last to the time of his going on board. The aforesaid j as par 
ferlyn promises in addition to willing and diligent service, honestly 
and faithfully and on forfeiture of all the wages to be earned by 
him, not to trade or acquire in other ways, any beavers, otters, or 
other prohibited furs, nor to allow that the same be dealt in with 
his knowledge by anybody but those who act on behalf of the 
Chartered West India Company, also on forfeiture as above, not 
to leave or return before his term of service has expired without 
express consent of the aforesaid his patroon or master, which con- 
ditions, this day underwritten, have been approved by the afore- 
mentioned Rensselaer and signed by him, jasper ferlyn, with his 
own hand at Amsterdam, this 17th of February 163 1. Was signed 
in the several hands, jaspacr ferlin, marinus Adriacns. 

Memorandum of similar agreements with Claes Brunsteyn van 
Straelsundt, Jan Tyaerts van Franicker and Cornells 
Maesen van Buyrmalsen 

May 27, 1631 

The 27th of May 1631, these following persons have further 
been engaged for three years on the conditions and restrictions 
above written, under penalties and obligations as in the preceding 
contract which has been read to them. 
n. b. ran Claes Brunsteyn van Straelsundt, who shall receive 8 

away guilders a month and before his departure, as an advance, 
two months' wages in hand paid. 

jehan Chierts van franicker, who shall receive 60 guilders a year 
and 12 guilders in hand paid as an advance. 

In testimony of the truth they have signed this in the year and 
on the day above written. Was signed: the mark X of Claes brun- 
steyn, Jan Tyaerts, Cornells maesen van Buyrniarsen, 5 ® who shall 



65 Intended for Buyrmalsen; see p. 309. The Vylgecf ende betalingc, 1630-32, among 
the Rensselacrswyck Mss, has Corlis mascn van bnijrmalsen, not Cornell's Maasen van 
Buren Maasen, as printed by O'Callaghan in his translation of that account, History of 
New NcthcrlanJ, 1:430. 

Aug. 19, i66j, Hendrick Cornelhss Maessen ami Marten Cornclissz Maesen, brothers, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS l8l 

receive the first year f6o, the second year 170, the third year f8o 
and in hand paid fi2 as an advance. 

Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on the west side 
of the Hudson River between Beeren Island and Smacks 
Island 57 

May 1 63 1 

We, the director and council of New Netherland, residing on the 
island Manahatas and at Fort Amsterdam, under the jurisdiction 
of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United 
Netherlands and of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber 
of Amsterdam, testify and declare hereby, that this day, date under- 
written, before us appeared Pietcr Minuit, director, Bastiaen Janss 
crol, commis, and Dirck cornelisz duyster, onder-commis at Fort 



for themselves and for Maes Cornells' Maessen, Stijntle Cornells Maessen and Tobias 
Cornells'; Maessen, their minor brothers and sisters, all living in the colony of Rensse- 
laerswyck and children of the late Cornells Maessen and Catelijntie Martensz, who 
died in this country and formerly lived at Bueren Malssen in gelderlant, execute a 
power of attorney to Gerrlt Cornelisss, living at Trlcht, in Gelderland, to receive an 
inheritance left by their uncle, Hcndrlck Maessen, who died at Culjlenborch. 

On the same day, Jan Verbeeck, formerly councilor of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
and Cornells Theunisz Bos, formerly magistrate of Fort Orange and the village of 
Beverwyck, make a joint affidavit that Cornells Maessen and his wife died about 14 
years ago and were both buried on the same day, leaving the aforesaid five children 
over whom the said Cornells Theunisz Bos and Theunis Dircxsz [van Vechten], in- 
habitant of the colony, have thus far been guardians. Cornells Theuniss Bos further 
states that he came to this country in 1636, in the ship Rensselaerswijck, in the service 
of the said Cornells Maessen and that he served him for six years; also that the said 
Hcndrlck Cornelisz Maessen was born on the said ship (see p. 369 of this work) and 
that the other children were born in the colony. Deeds, powers of attorney, etc., 
1660-65, P- I 5~ l 7, 22_2 3, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

Entries for supplies furnished to Cornelis Maesen in August 1634 (Account Book, 
1634—38, f.2) show that Cornelis Maesen was in the colony at that time. He evidently 
returned to Holland at the expiration of his contract, married, and then came back to 
this country in 1636. His second son, Marten Cornelisz, has by Pearson and other 
writers been confused with Swarte Marten, or Black Marten, who from the mark he 
makes is readily identified with Marten Cornelisz van Ysselsteyn, one of the pro- 
prietors of land at Schenectady in 1663 and later one of the settlers of Claverack. This 
Marten Cornelisz van Ysselsteyn states in an affidavit of Oct. 28, 1660 (Notarial 
Papers, 1:36, Albany County clerk's office) that in his youth he had lived for many 
years at Houten, in the bishopric of Utrecht. 

Cornelis Teunisz Bos, mentioned in this note, is the same person as Cornelis Teunisz 
van Westbroeck. The first reference to him is found in Account Book, 1634-38, among 
the Rensselaerswyck Mss under date of April 8, 1637, almost immediately after the 
arrival of the ship Rensselaerswyck. Apparently he did not come to this country in 
1 63 1, as stated by O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:434. 

07 V. R. B. Mss 3, parchment 33^x38 cm; and V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, t.ib. 
Recorded without date and names of signers in Dutch Patents, GG, p.9-11. Translation 
of main body of the instrument in Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 14:2, which has been 
revised for the present work. 



1 82 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Orange, and declared, that on the 18th of April last past 58 per- 
sonally appeared before them Papsickene, Kemptas, nancoutamhat, 
and Sickenosen, lawful owners and proprietors of the land called 
Sanckhagag, 59 situated on the west side of the North River stretch- 
ing in length from a little above beeren® Island up the river to 
Smacks™ Island and in width two days' journey inland, acting for 
themselves and de rato for the remaining and all other coproprietors 
of the same land, which they in their aforesai 1 capacity voluntarily 
and advisedly declared that they had conveyed, ceded and made 
over, as they did convey, cede and make over in lawful, inalienable 
and free possession, by virtue and title of sale, for a certain quan- 
tity of merchandise, which they, the grantors, in their aforesaid 
capacity acknowledged to have received before the passing of this 



58 The 1 8th of April 1631, according to the date at the end of the document. Owing 
to the absence of a date at the end of the record of the certificate in Dutch Patents, 
GG, p. 9-1 1, and to the occurrence, in connection with the purchase, of the date of 
May 1630, in Jan Baptist van Rensselaer's letter of June 10/20, 1678 (O'Callaghan, 
History of New Nctherland, 1:125) and that of April S, 1630, on the map of Rensse- 
laerswyck reproduced in this volume, historical writers have assigned 1630 as the year 
of purchase of land from Beeren Island to Smacks Island and hence mentioned it as 
the first purchase of land in the vicinity of Fort Orange. That this is an error and 
that 1631 must be considered as the correct date, or in other words that the purchase 
was made subsequently to that of Aug. 13, 1630, described on p. 166—69, may appear from 
statements in the letter to de Laet, June 27, 1632, and further from the following facts: 

i That the original parchment certificate as well as the contemporaneous copy in the 
patroon's Letter Book have at the end, first written out in full and then in figures, 
the date 1631. 

2 That the certificate is recorded in Dutch Patents, GG, p.9— 11, between a patent of 
Nov. 22, 1630 and one of June 3, 1631. 

3 That in the "Account of the jurisdictions, management and condition of the ter- 
ritories named Rensselaerswyck," July 20, 1634. printed on p. 306—12 of this volume, the 
first two purchases are referred to as dated Aug. 13, 1630 and May 1631. 

4 That in a copy of the memorial entitled " The Case of the Colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck " delivered April 27, 1678, by J. B. van Rensselaer to the council of the Duke 
of York, in support of the petition of the heirs of Kiliaen van Rensselaer for letters 
patent of the colony, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, the purchase of land from 
Beeren Island to Smacks Island is referred to as dated in May 1631. 

5 That the preamble of the certificate of Aug. 6, 1630 (Doc. rcl. to the Col. Hist. 
N. Y. 14:i-2 and Wilson, Memorial History of the City of New York, 1:163) states 
that Bastiaen Jansz Krol, in reply to a question put by Wolfert Gerritsz said that 
" there was this year [1630] no chance or means of acquiring any land," and does not 
refer to any purchase of land previous to the agreement of July 27, 1630, mentioned 
in the certificate. 

6 That the inscription on the map of Rensselaerswyck relating to the purchase of 
land from Beeren Island to Smacks Island contains the words heeft Killiaen t-.ii/ Ren- 
selaer noch docn koopen — Kiliaen van Rensselaer caused fur. her to be purchased — 
indicating that the purchase was made subsequently to that of Aug. 13, ,1630, which 
interpretation is borne out by the fact that the inscription occurs on the map to the 
right of that relating to the purchase of July 28 [Aug. 13], 1630 and not, as in 
O'Callaghan's reproduction, to the left. 

09 Cf. spelling of Indian names in Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 14:2, which agrees 
with Dutch Patents, GG, p. 9— 11. 

00 Literally, Bears' Island, now called Barren Island. 

01 Now called Shad Island. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 183 

conveyance, to and for the behoof of the Hon. Kiliau van Renselacr, 
absent, for whom they accepted it under proper stipulations, to wit, 
the aforesaid land with all the interests, rights and jurisdiction 
belonging to them, the grantors, in their capacity aforesaid, they, 
the grantors, constituting and substituting the aforesaid grantee in 
their place, stead, real and actual possession thereof, and at the 
same time giving to and conferring on the aforesaid Hon. Rens- 
selaer or whoever may after him obtain his interests, full and abso- 
lute power and command, tanquam Procurator in rem Propriam to 
enter upon, peaceably possess, occupy, plant, use and cultivate the 
said land, and therewith and thereof to do, act and dispose, as his 
honor would do with his own and other lawfully acquired lands and 
estates, without the grantors in their capacity aforesaid retaining, re- 
serving or holding therein and in any of it any part, right, interest or 
authority in the least, whether of possession, command or jurisdic- 
tion but were now and forever fully and finally yielding and re- 
nouncing it for the behoof aforesaid; further promising not only 
forever to hold fast and irrevocable, to observe and fulfil this their 
conveyance and whatever may be done by virtue thereof, but also to 
deliver and hold the said quantity of land against every one free 
from claims, challenges, encumbrances and pretensions which any 
one may hereafter make to it, and also to have this sale and transfer 
approved, ratified and acknowledged as valid by the remaining 
represented coproprietors, all according to law, in good faith, with- 
out guile or deceit. In witness hereof this has been confirmed 
with our usual signatures and the pendant seal. Done as aforesaid 
on the island Manahafas and at Fort Amsterdam, this ° 2 May. 

Anno xvj c thirty-one. 
[signed] Peter Minuit, D. 

bastijacn Jansz crol 

Dirck Cornclisscn 

pieter Bijlvelt: 

Jan Lampo, sellout 

Keyner Hanncnsen 

Jan Jansrj meyndz 

To my knowledge, as vice 
secretary in the absence of the 
secretary, Jan van Roninnd, 
this May 163 r 

[signed] Lenaert Cole, Vice 
Secretary 



02 Blank in original. 



184 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Extract from minutes of Chamber of Amsterdam. Request of 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer for transportation of Marinus Ad- 
riaensz van der Veere and others 63 

May 16, 1631 
Copy- 
Extract from the [register of] resolutions of the assembly of the 

directors of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 
Friday the 16th of May, 163 1 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer notifies the Chamber that he has engaged 
in his service for farming as well as tobacco planting in his colony 
on the North River near Fort Orange, Marinus Adriaenssz vander 
Veere, with five or six other persons for his assistance, and as the 
same are mostly experienced seamen he, Rensselaer, requests that 
the said Marinus, with his wife, child and the aforesaid men, may be 
sent over in the ship of the Company for their board, without re- 
ceiving any wages, as according to the resolution of this Chamber 
many men will have to come over from there ; further, that he 
has entered into contract with eight or ten farmers to send them 
over with some calves, if he is allowed to transport them also by 
the said ship on proper payment of their board. Requesting hereon 
resolution of this Chamber. 

Underneath was written: Agrees with the aforesaid register. 

And was signed: Jacob Hamcl S 

Agrees with its original 
Quod attestor infrascriptus 
[signed] /: vande Ven 
Nots Pub cus : ss u . 

21. 

A : J 634. 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.39. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 185 

Extract from minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam. Request 
of Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere for permit to go to New 
Netherland and action on this request and that of Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer of the 16th 64 

May 19, 16 31 
Copy 

Extract from the register of resolutions passed by the assembly of 
the directors of the West India Company, Chamber of Am- 
sterdam 

Monday, the 19th of May, 1631 

Marinus Adriaenscn vander Veere, engaged by Confrater Rens- 
selaer for the colony on the North River, requests a permit to cross 
over to New Netherland in the ship that goes thither, in conformity 
with the notification of Mr Rensselaer on the 16th instant. It is 
granted that the said Marinus, with five or six other persons shall 
go across and have their board, on condition that they do regular 
ship duty like sailors; for the wife and child board shall be paid, 
while Mr Rensselaer agrees to guarantee that five or six seafaring 
men shall return from there, so that this ship suffer no incon- 
venience, or if no other men return, Mr Rensselaer is to pay the 
board of the five or six persons who go over. The farmers and 
calves mentioned in the request will be sent over on payment of 
board and food, if there is room in the ship. Underneath was 
written : Agrees with the aforesaid register. And was signed : 
Jacob Hamel S 

Agrees with its original 
quod attestor infrascriptus 
[signed] /: vandc Ven 
Nots Pub cus : ss u . 

21. 

A : J 634. 



•* V R. B. Mss. Letter Book, f.39b. 



l86 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Andries 
Christensz and others e5 

July 2, 1631 
Andries cristemen. At the request of Andries Christ ensscn van Vlcc- 

Laurens Laurensen, * 

Barent tonisen. ken™ 40 years of age, Laurens Laurensz van Cop- 
2 July 1631 ' penhagen, 36 years of age, and Barent Thonisscn 
van Hcijligcsont m , 2.2 years of age, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in his 
capacity as patroon of his colony situated above and below Fort 
Orange on the North River of New Netherland, has agreed and con- 
tracted with the aforesaid persons for the term of three years, com- 
mencing on their arrival in that country, with the condition that 
the contract is binding on them for the said term of three years 
but that the said Rensselaer may terminate it whenever it pleases 
him. First regarding the transportation of the said persons, Rens- 
selaer having obtained from the Chartered West India Company, 
Chamber of Amsterdam, the privilege of transporting seafaring men 
for their board without wages on condition that they do proper ship 
duty, Laurens Lauresz, Barent Theuniss and all seafaring men ac- 
cept the same, but Andries Christensz not being a seafaring man 
must pay out of his wages six stivers a day for board. As to the re- 
turn voyage, the said Rensselaer promises to exert himself likewise, 
without being further responsible in the matter, to have them come 
hither at the least expense, whether their term of service has ex- 
pired or whether he chooses to order them to come home. Arriv- 
ing there with God's help, they shall betake themselves at the first 
opportunity and at their own expense to Fort Orange, to settle either 
on the mill creek 6 " or opposite the fort on the east side of the North 
River, where there is also a good waterfall 70 and build their houses 
in the lightest fashion on the one or the other of the said places, 
and on no other without consent ; further to erect a suitable sawmill, 
which can saw wood of 40 feet or at least 33 feet long, towards 



05 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.4h. An extract of this agreement is also found in 
V. R. B. Mss 38; see p. 675. The date is there given as June 2, 1631; the name lure 
spelled Thonisscn appears as thomassen. 

16 Noormannen; a term usually confined to natives of Norway, when not referring to 
the ancient Scandinavians or Norsemen, but also used in a wider sense, as here, where 
a native of Copenhagen is included. 

n ' Fleckero; an island off the south coast of Norway. 3 miles south of Christiansand. 

M Hellesund; on the south coast of Norway, in the vicinity of Fleckero. 

''' Meulenkill; lure referring to the Normans Kill. 

7,1 The waterfall on the Mill Creek, in (ireenbush, in the present city of Rensselaer. 
Like the Normans Kill, the Mill Creek is in the early documents commonly referred to 
as the meulenhil, or molcnkil. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 187 

which he, Rensselaer, shall pay one half of the hardware and the 
tools which they need therefor and must take with them from here, 
and they the other half, for which he, Rensselaer, shall furnish them 
the money in advance. They promise, all four 71 of them, to erect the 
said mill within the space of three months and when it is finished, 
they may hew the largest, finest and best oak trees standing in the 
entire colony of the said Rensselaer and for seven leagues next ad- 
joining and bring the same to the place where the sawmill stands in 
order to saw therefrom suitable ship planking, gunwale timber or 
such other timber as he, Rensselaer, shall direct or they in the ab- 
sence of directions shall deem fit. The mill being made, the logs cut, 
brought to the mill and sawed, one half thereof shall belong to the 
said Rensselaer and the other half to the four of them, the same to be 
shipped hither with the most convenient speed at the joint expense 
of both parties, provided that Rensselaer shall not charge the men 
more for freight and other expenses than he will have to pay him- 
self; and of the proceeds of the said timber here in this country over 
and above expenses, one half shall go to him, Rensselaer, and the 
other half shall be paid to the aforesaid persons or those having their 
right and title, but first and above all, deduction must be made of the 
sums advanced by him, promised or paid for them personally, in 
return for which he, Rensselaer, promises to provide such board for 
the said four persons as is customary in that country or else, in lieu 
thereof, to pay 100 guilders a year for each of the four persons, 
amounting together to 400 guilders a year, so that Rensselaer shall 
provide their board as above and they shall faithfully and diligently 
do their work to the satisfaction of the said Rensselaer or his agents 
and each side receive one half of the profits after deduction of all 
expenses as above. 

Rensselaer also agrees to pay in hand to each of them the sum of 
20 guilders to be deducted from the board or 100 guilders a year 
which he must pay to each of them and to Andrics kristensen the 
sum of 40 guilders, besides the advances for hardware, millstone 
and what is further required for the building of the said saw and 
grist-mill, on condition that the amount be hereafter again deducted 
and retained as above. 

And inasmuch as they are also to make a grist-mill in connection 
with the said sawmill, they shall also be entitled to one half of what 
is earned therewith (deducting the expenses of grinding). 

In case the said Rensselaer, as patroon, or his agents need the 

71 Thus in the Letter Book, though but three persons are named. 



1 88 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

aforesaid four persons or any of them in his private service, they 
must let themselves be employed for all sorts of work, whether farm- 
ing, house carpentering, felling of logs, burning of pitch and tar, 
or whatever it may be, nothing excepted, at 15 stivers a day besides 
board, which they have in addition as above, provided that Rensselaer 
shall enjoy one half of the aforesaid wages of 15 stivers. 

If Rensselaer or his agents, after the mill is built, should have any 
wood brought to be sawed, they must do this at 20 stivers for 100 
feet in length by one foot in breadth, and for wider, shorter or 
longer boards accordingly, on condition that Rensselaer shall re- 
ceive one half thereof as above. 

Regarding the boards, beams or planks which they may have in 
stock and which Rensselaer may need for his other work, he shall 
be allowed to take these by paying them one half of the price ordi- 
narily paid by the skippers in Norway. 

If these people sow, mow or plant any land, or catch any game or 
fish, one half [of the product] shall go to them and the other half 
go to Rensselaer, or be deducted from the 100 guilders for board. 

During the period of this agreement, each one shall be responsible 
for the other, as Rensselaer is dealing with them jointly but not will- 
ing to deal or to keep accounts with each in particular. 

In case any one of them should happen to find or to discover any 
mines, minerals, pearl fisheries or anything of the kind, he shall dis- 
close the same to no one but the patroon or his agent, who shall 
make them a handsome present for the same according to the im- 
portance of the matter. They shall further under the sovereignty of 
the High Mighty Lords the States General, all submit themselves to 
the authority of the directors of the Chartered West India Company 
in general and of the aforesaid Rensselaer as their patroon in partic- 
ular, and observe all the ordinances and regulations to be passed 
there by them respectively in matters of police and justice, and be 
obliged to take the oath of obedience and fidelity, especially to re- 
frain from trading, negotiating or carrying on business there against 
the order and intention of the Company and their aforesaid patroon, 
whether in skins, seawan or other goods found there, and not to ac- 
cept the same by way of present or otherwise, nor to take merchan- 
dise from here with them for themselves or for others, directly or 
indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, on pain of confiscation and 
penalties fixed by the Company or still to be fixed, and furthermore 
of banishment from the colony as perjurers and refractory charac- 
ters for which they all together in common and each one in partial- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 189 

lar for himself and the others, bind themselves to answer and stand 
responsible. 

They shall further not be allowed to contract with any one else or 
to enter any one else's service, on forfeiture of this entire agree- 
ment to the benefit of the said patroon, each one's share in the mill, 
in the hewn and sawed timber and what may in any way belong to 
them, to be forfeited and left to be disposed of as above, and in case 
one or more of the aforewritten persons should leave or drop out, 
the remaining ones must fill the places as quickly as possible with 
other suitable persons and by every ship and yacht sailing hither 
send proper reports and accurate accounts of everything, in all sin- 
cerity without concealment. In testimony of the truth of the above 
agreement, this is signed by the patroon and the persons aforesaid 
with their own hands, in Amsterdam, this second of July of the 
year sixteen hundred and thirty-one, and signed with the several 
hands the X mark of Andrics kristensen, the X mark of Laurens 
Laurensz, X Berent Thonisz, kiliaen van Rensselaer. Underneath ' 
was written : Kiliaen van Rensselaer charged with the board of An- 
dries kristenssen, due to him for transportation nine guilders. 

Extract from minutes of the Chamber of Amsterdam. Request 
of Kiliaen van Rensselaer for permission to send over to 
New Netherland colonists and animals and granting of 
same 72 

July 7, 163 1 
Copy 

Extract from the resolution book of the honorable directors of the 
Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 
Monday, the 7th of July 163 1, in Amsterdam 
Appeared before the meeting, Mr Kiliaen van Rensselaer, who re- 
quested that he be permitted to send over by the ship, d'cendracht 
some colonists and eight or 10 calves, namely : 
Cornel is Gerritsss van flecker 
Lourens Lourensss van Coppenhagen 
Barent thonissz van Heiligesondt 
Claes Brunsteyn van Straelsondt 
Andries Christcnssz van flecker 
In regard to which it was decided first to hear the skipper, who 
declares that he will do all he can, whereupon his honor's request is 
granted, on condition that the skipper in case he should be incon- 



72 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.4ob. 



190 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

venienced thereby, may throw them overboard or allow them to be 
eaten, without thereby obliging- the Company to give any compen- 
sation. Underneath was written: Agrees with the aforesaid reso- 
lution book. And was signed : Jacob Hamel. 

Agrees with its original 
quod attestor infrascriptus 
[signed] /: vande Ven 

Nots Pub™*: ss H . 

A°:^J6 34 . 

Names of colonists sailing in de Eendracht 73 

Copy 

Names of persons who will sail for New Netherland in the ship 
d' Eendracht 14 for Kiliaen van Rensselaer for his colony near 
Fort Orange, according to the resolution of the 19th of May 
last 

Marinus Ariacns vander Veere, with his wife and one child 
Jaspar ferlijn van Middelburgh 
Jan Chicrts van franicker 
Cornells Maesen van Buijrmaelsen 
These have before this been put on the roll 
Further 
absent Cornells Govcrts van ileckcr 

Laurens Lourens van Coppenhagcii 
Barent thonis van Heijlige Sont 
absent Claes Brunsteyn van Straelsont 
absent Andries Christenssz van flecker 
Further, there are eight or 10 calves to be sent Over, according to 
the foregoing resolution, which he shall provide with food. 



73 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.40. 
« The Unity. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOVVIER MANUSCRIPTS 



191 



Memoranda of payments to colonists and for tools sent by 
them 75 

July 9, 1631, or later 

5 July paid to Andries 

Kristenss 16 RD @ 50 st 

Item, to Lourens Loc- 
rensz 8 RD 

also to Laurens Lau- 
rensz 2 RD 

Item, to Berent thoniss 8 RD 

also to Berent thonisz 2 RD 



of picter 
J an ss 



of 

lubbcrt 

tomessen 



9 July to Laurens 



1 RD 



50 St 


f4o: — 


50 St 


f2o: — 


50 St 


f 5:- 


50 St 


f2o: — 


50 St 


f 5:- 




f90: — 


50 St 


f 2:10 



Herewith are sent the following tools : 

2 small millstones bought of Hcn- 

dricss opde Camp, cost 
1 iron shaft for a sawmill, 

weight 36 lb, at 6 st a lb f 10 :i6 1 
4 cant-hooks at i^ J A a piece f T - 

for barge freight f 

1 iron shaft for a sawmill, 

weight 155 lb, at 6 st a 

pound 

freight 



fi4: o [- total 
8J 



of 






Si j men 


Sij- 


J 


menss 


van 




Hoorn 







f92:io 



f2o: 5 



£25: 4 



f46:io 
f— :i2 



1 rope and one hawser of fine 
Rys,™ weight 155 lb, at 3 st 
10 pence a pound, amounts 

3 m 76 lines, at 8 st a piece f 1 : : 4 f total f 39 : 6 
1 plumb line at f 2 :— 

17 lb sail yarn to make nets of, 

at 10 st a lb f 8:10 J 

75 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.6. The items of this account occur also in a docu- 
ment among the Rensselaerswyck Mss printed in O'Callaghan's History of New Nether- 
land, 1:429—32. 

7,; Apparently rice, but possibly Rize flax, from Rize, or Rizah, Asiatic Turkey. 



192 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



of 

Jacques 

Spier- 

inck 

bore 

maker 



of 

Laurens 

Laurensen 



1 ripsaw, 77 sharpened, 6 ft long i^ : — 

2 polished handsaws with 

handles f2:n 
2 drawing knives, fi .2; 2 large 

augers f 1 :2, total f2 : 4 
2 large firmer-chisels with 

handles f 1 : 9 
1 gouge with handle, 10 st, 4 

large and 2 small files f 1 : 8 

5 Norse 78 files f 2 :8 ; 79 a 

piece f2:i5, total f 5 : 3 
4 hatchets at f6; 4 adzes f2:i8 

total f8:i8 
1 hammer hatchet fo:i4st; 1 

hammer 6 st f 1 : — 
1 jack plane and 1 block plane 

with bits f 1 : 4 

6 augers to use, at 30 st a piece 



total 



{27:17 



f 9: 



f 169:4 



Inventory of stock on farm No. 3, island of Manhattan 80 

January 1, 1632 

Inventory of the animals on the farm of Pieter Pietersz Bylvelt in 

the year 1632 

2 old mares with colt 

1 young ditto, two years old 

6 milch cows 

2 heifers of the year 1629 

1 heifer calf of the year 1631 

3 bull calves of ditto 

1 new wagon with iron tires 

3 plows with their belongings 

7 young pigs, four months old 

4 old hogs 

1 ditto hog for provision for the farm hands 

1 hog killed four days ago for the same purpose 

about 7 morgens of seeding 



77 Kloof saegh. 

78 noordse. 

78 Apparently a word left out. 

80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.2<\\>. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 193 

i barrack with seed inspected by Wolff ert Gerritsz, Barent 
Dircksz and Tenuis Schipper, containing 90 schepels of 
rye and wheat 
These aforesaid animals were inventoried by the council on the 
first of January 1632. 

Andries Hudden 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Gerrit Theusz 

de Reux 81 

June 13, 1632 

( lontract made and entered into by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as pa- 
troon of his colony (named Rensselaerswyck, situated on the 
river Mauritius or North River of New Netherland, above and 
below Fort Orange and on both sides of the said river), with 
Gerrit Teeusen de reux, as farmer of a farm to be established 
on the Fort Orange side near the fourth creek now called 
Blommaerts kit, 82 situated above or 83 to the north of Fort 
Orange, this 15th of June in the year 1632 in Amsterdam 

29 years old 3 * First the aforesaid Gerrit de Reux shall bind himself 
by oath and on forfeiture of his stipulated wages and the goods 
which he may have in that country that neither he nor his men shall 
trade in prohibited furs, especially »i otters or beavers, or obtain the 
same by way of present or other means without express consent 
from the West India Company and his aforesaid patroon. 

The patroon shall furnish Gerrit de Reux aforesaid, out of the 
animals which he has in that country if they are still alive and to be 
had : 

four horses, if it is possible the same which Gerrit aforenamed 

used before 
also three cows as above 
also two heifer calves as above 
also four sows as above 
The aforesaid de Reux shall further do his best with the assist- 
ance of the smiths and the carpenters of the Company that the 
aforesaid house may at the very first opportunity be erected, roofed 



81 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.n. Extract in V. R. B. Mss 38; see p. 675-76. 

82 Blommaerts kil appears on the map of Rensselaerswyck reproduced in this work as 
the fourth creek north of Fort Orange, at a distance of about ij miles from the fort. 
This distance seems to identify Blommaerts kil with the present Patroons Creek, which 
at a later date is referred to as the fifth creek. 

88 " and " in the extract in V. R. B. Mss 38. 

84 Marginal note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

13 



194 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and surrounded by wooden palisades. Also that he may be provided 
with wagon and plow by the wheelwright. 

And what he thinks can not be obtained in that country, he shall 
buy here at the expense of the patroon, taking care on the voyage 
over that the purchased goods shall be well kept. On the ship he 
shall with his men look after the calves which the patroon shall send 
thither by the ship on which he is to sail. 

Further, the aforesaid Gerrit shall be bound to engage here a 
good farm servant and a boy at the expense of the patroon, and on 
his arrival there still another servant shall be added if possible. The 
patroon shall pay the wages and board of the servants and boy till 
the first of May 1634 and shall pay him, Gerrit de Reus, 180 guil- 
ders a year, from the time of his arrival in that country till the first 
of January 1634. All the crops and increase of live stock, likewise 
milk and butter and all other profits till the first of January 1634 
shall therefore be for the behoof of the patroon. 

After the first of January 1634, Gerrit de Reux shall obtain out 
of the aforesaid stock four horses, four cows, two heifers and so 
many sheep and hogs as he can raise and this on the following con- 
ditions, for four years, without leaving the service in the meantime 
on forfeiture as above; and from that time on, he shall no longer 
receive wages. The wages and board of the laborers, boy and the 
house servants from the first of May 1634, and also all other ex- 
penses whatever they may be called, as well as the damage and loss 
of live stock, wear and tear of wagons and plows, in short anything 
and everything, from the first of January 1634 on, shall be paid out 
of the common fruits, products, milk, butter, cheese and increase 
of stock; and of the surplus one half shall be for the aforesaid pa- 
troon and the other half for the aforenamed Gerrit de Reux, it 
being understood that the increase of the stock shall be reserved for 
the patroon on condition that he may compensate the said Gerrit 
for the same at the rate fixed heretofore by the West India Com- 
pany. Every two years an inventory of the stock shall be taken and 
for one half of what shall be found above the four horses, four 
cows and two heifers, gerrit de Reux shall as above receive com- 
pensation, the patroon having however the privilege of taking the 
said increase for himself or not, and if there be less than the above 
number, the aforesaid de Reux must try to raise so many that he 
reaches that number and shall not be entitled to any profit till the 
said number is again complete. 

The aforesaid de Reux shall raise as many sheep and hogs as pos- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 195 

sible, and of what he sells thereof one half the proceeds shall go to 
the patroon and the other half to himself. 

Of the winter wheat which is to he sown in the fall of 1633, one 
half shall be for the benefit of the aforesaid Gerrit de Reux on con- 
dition that the last year he deliver to the patroon, first of all, as 
much grain as he received the first year. 

As to the butter, cheese, grain and other products which he may 
have on hand the first of January 1634, the same shall be appraised 
and accounted for to the patroon out of the common expenses. 

Concerning the passage over, the patroon shall urge as much as 
possible that Gerrit aforesaid may receive the wages of a boatswain, 
but if this can not be arranged they must both see what they can 
do about the passage. 

But the patroon shall pay the board of the servants during the 
passage. 

Gerrit de Reux aforenamed shall also cause the yearly manure to 
be distributed over the land in the most advantageous manner, with- 
out wasting it. 

The patroon shall provide the aforesaid de Reux with two good 
firelocks, on condition that each pay half. 

Thus done and passed in the city of Amsterdam, and for all that 
is aforewritten, the said de Reux pledges and binds all his personal 
possessions, movable and immovable, present and future, none ex- 
cepted, subjecting the same to the execution of all the honorable 
courts and judges; in witness whereof it is signed by him on the 
15th of June 1632, new style. 

[signed] The mark X of Gerrit Teeusen de reuse 

Memoranda of the engagement of certain farm laborers*"' 

[June 15, 1632?] 

The following persons have been engaged as farm laborers for the 
term of four years commencing on their arrival on their farm in that 
country, on condition that they receive for the outgoing and return 
voyages a gratuity hereafter specified and on pain of forfeiture of 
all their monthly wages and effects if they leave their service [be- 
fore the end] of their term, or if they obtain any furs of beavers, 
otters or like animals by trade, gift or exchange, which they have 
expressly agreed not to do ; and in case they are asked by their 
farmer to do any other work besides fanning, such as felling of 
trees or other work which they are able to do, they may not refuse 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.12. In handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



I96 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

it but must diligently and willingly do everything and also serve un- 
der such farmer as the patroon shall direct. 

Hendrich frerixsen Van bunnick, 26 years old, shall receive 120 
guilders a year and a pair of boots once in four years and as a 
gratuity for the passage 25 guilders. 

Cornells Jacopsen van Marttensdljck, 23 years old, shall receive 
no guilders and as a gratuity for the passage 25 guilders, 
can Cornells thonissen van Meerkerc, 20 years old, shall re- 

nttie ceive 80 guilders and two pairs of boots, but 'if he 

behaves well he shall receive the last year some increase and as a 
gratuity 50 guilders. 

as boy Marcus Mensen van Culjlcnburch, 17 years old, shall re- 
ceive 40, 50, 60 and 70 guilders during the four years and as a 
gratuity 18 guilders, 
[signed] 

the mark of the mark of 

X X 

hendrich, frerixsen Cornells Jacopsen 

Cornis Thonls the mark of 

X 
Marcus Mensen 

Gerrlt de reus would like to have Hendrlck frerlxss, Cornells 
thonlsen and Marcus Mensen. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 86 

June 2J, 1632 

Mr Johan dc lacdtt, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, 2f June 1632 

Your honor will doubtless have heard how our ship den zvalvls, 8 ' 
which together with the yacht Teencoorntgeu ss sailed from the 
Texel on the 24th of May, was on the 26th ditto for nearly two 
hours tossed about on the banks before Dunkirk, not without great 
danger of losing the ship and the goods, as most of the people had 
already left the ship and jumped into the shallops. Nevertheless it 
pleased Almighty God to rescue the said ship from the said banks, 
but as it was very leaky and much damaged, "they stopped on the 
28th at Portsmouth near the Isle of Wight 89 to have her repaired 



eu V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.isb. 

"The Whale. 

8B Other form for 't Eekhoorntje, the little Squirrel. 

"* te porse muyen Jn wicht. 



flti 





C* 



s-Jt! 

2 ^ I 

&> -j 5 



# 









4<4 ^ -*$ ##^^H^ 







14^1 



fe 



it 



<u 



, -?, i 1 4 







.5 N 

."tn ^ 



5 .2? 

— o 

HH O 



sec 









be 

bfi 



-r 
3 
o 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I97 

there, the yacht Teencoorngen being still with her. Meanwhile, 
Guilliammc lefant, being dissatisfied with the command of David 
pietersen^ or according to my opinion rather because he was afraid, 
left the ship and returned over land, to the disgust of the con- 
fraters, so that henrij dc foreest 91 will probably be useful to supply 
the place left vacant by Guilliamme. Said Guilliammc made out 
that the leak was very large and irreparable, but from the letter of 
David pietersen to conf rater Godyn, dated the nth of June from 
Portsmouth, we understand that the same was nearly repaired and 
that he expected to go to sea at the first opportunity to complete his 
intended voyage in God's name, drawing on confrater Godyn for 
60 pounds sterling on account of his expenses there. It would be 
a pity if we missed the whale-fishing again, as Director Minuijt, 
who has come here, assures us that there are quantities of whales 
in the South River and that the savages of those quarters wear on 
their heads mostly small feathers 02 made of whalebone. So much 
for matters with which the Company of Ten is concerned. 

Coming now to our private colony on the North River near Fort 
Orange, I should have liked best if your honor had called some 
time at my house so that I could have shown you the situation 
and condition of the same. Director Minuijt has given me a map 
of the additional land lately purchased, situated between becren 
Island and Smax Island. There are about 200 93 of cleared land 
(or which has been seeded before by the savages) at the water's 
edge along the river, but stretching toward the woods and inland 
two days' journey, so that we have at present bought and obtained 
from the Mahicans by legal conveyance all the shore along the river, 
on the west side, from becren Island to Momncnis Castle, beini; 
about six hours' walk, 94 the account of the cost of which is still in 
the hands of the Company. As to the east side, we have the lands 
situated opposite Fort Orange and Castle Island, from paep 



90 David Pietersz de Vrles. For account of the voyage see his Korte Historiael, 
p.94-120, translated by H. C. Murphy, under the title Voyages from Holland to 
America, A. D. 1632 to 1644, N. Y. 1853, reprinted in New York Historical Society 
Collections, 1857, ser.2, 3:15—48. 

; " See note on p. 75. The name of de Forest is in these documents, in the N. Y. 
Col. Mss and in the records of the Reformed Dutch Church of New York consistently 
written de foreest, or de Foreest, but Hendrick de Forest and his brother, Isaac de 
Forest, both sign their name de forest, so that de Forest may be regarded as the proper 
spelling. There is apparently no connection between the de Forests and the well known 
Alkmaar family of van Foreest. 

w veerkens. 

m Word " morgens " omitted in Letter Book. Cf. " Account of the jurisdictions," 
July 20, 1634, p. 306. 

M Cf. note on p. 167. According to the map of Rensselaerswyck, one hour's walk = 
1600 rods and one Dutch mile = 2000 rods. 



I98 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Sickcnccs kil northward past the -falls of de laets kil thus named 
by me, which creek runs far inland and in which rock crystal is 
found, according- to Director Minuit, to which we must pay more 
attention in the future. 

On the east side I ordered three farms with a grist-mill and a 
sawmill to be established. I am advised not to put up the sawmill. 
The grist-mill, according to the last letters, was almost ready and 
stands on de laets kit. One of the three farms, named de laets- 
burch, had been established there, of which roelof Jansen van Mas- 
terlandt is farmer. He had prepared about five morgens of land 
to be seeded with winter wheat, but for want of seed, seems to 
have seeded these last March with summer wheat and a goodly 
number of morgens more which he would seed later as far as the 
seed reached. Said Roelof Jansen had four horses and n sheep, 
and the cows and hogs which I bought of Gcrrit de reux were also 
to be given him, so that he has a complete farm and a suitable 
house. The island which lies a little further northward on the east 
side, I have named de laets Island so that I have commemorated 
your honor's name on the east side. The name of confrater Godyu 
I have commemorated as follows : the islands of paep Sickenee on 
the east side towards the south, I have named Godyns Islands ; the 
mill 05 on the west side at the end of Castle Island, where the first 
sawmill was erected, I have named Godyns kil. This creek runs 
very deep inland, has quantities of fish, principally bullheads and 
lampreys, and near by is found much beautiful, arable and meadow 
land on which in time may be established another farm, which shall 
then be named Godynsburch. 

The fourth creek above Fort Orange on the west side is called 
Blommacrts kil, where on the arrival of this ship shall be established 
a farm according to the contract made with gerrit de reux, who 
with two men and two boys sails thither, with horses and tools and 
all sorts of supplies needed for himself as well as for the other 
farms. This farm shall be named Blominaertsburch. 

The five small islands lying a little further northward on the 
west side have been named Bloinmaerts Islands. 

As for my own name, I have not forgotten that either, having 
named the colony situated on both sides of the river, Renselaers 
ivyclc and Beeren Island, where our colony begins, Renselaers 
Island. Castle Island I have named the West Island and that for 



85 So in original; the reference is evidently to the mill creek, i. e. the Normans Kill. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS I99 

the reason . . .° 6 on which island lies the farm named Ren- 
selaersburg, on which Rutger hendrixsen van Soest is farmer and 
which has a comfortable dwelling house and barn. Said rutger 
hendrixsen had before the departure of the vessels seeded 12 
morgens with winter wheat and four morgens with winter rye, 
which looked as fine as any on the best land in this country. As 
he has enough horses, he will apparently seed at least eight or 10 
morgens more with summer seed and as I hope to obtain some 
more animals which are left on the director's farm and shall also 
get my nephew wouter van Twillcr, who now goes thither as di- 
rector of the Company, to buy still others, I confidently expect to 
obtain enough animals to establish another farm on the said West 
Island, as it is 136 Rhineland morgens in extent. The said farm 
shall be called zveelysburgh, for my wife. Paep Sickences kill, 
now named Rcnselacrs kil, on the east side opposite the mill creek 
or Godyus kill, I suppose that by this time we have bought already 
with the exception of the woods in the rear, that is the land along 
the river only, which contains about 600, 700 or 800 morgens of flat 
and clear land, mostly clay and brown soil, on each morgen of 
which in good years might be raised one last or at least % last} 
of wheat. However, our principal profit will come from the cattle, 
for which there is plenty of fine pasture and hay for nothing but 
the labor (though it is true that the trade yields quick returns but 
also quickly causes loss) 97 while on the contrary the clearing of the 
land proceeds with slowness but a certainty of which I have no 
doubt at all if the Lord preserves us from surprisals. 

Now at first we must have a little patience and necessarily spend 
money to obtain possession. After the first harvest, which is at 
hand, I hope that our people will no longer have lack of wheat, 
milk, butter or cheese ; they can catch plenty of fish with little 
trouble and in the course of time they will also have plenty of 
meat as they have already oxen in the field, of which they can 
slaughter one at killing time. I intend now by this ship to send 
six or eight more heifer calves. If we had cattle we should have 
money and if we had horses we should have wheat. I take good 
care to avail myself of all opportunities to acquire cattle, which 
makes many jealous of me, but they have to stand it, as every one 



94 At this point a line is apparently left out in the Letter Book, unless the Dutch 
om redenen is meant for om duidelijke redencn, that is, for evident reasons. 

w (wel is waer dat de coopmanschap haest geeft en oock haest neemt) ; literally, 
though it is true that the trade quickly gives and also quickly takes. 



200 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

is free to do what is best for himself. The contract which I have 
made with gerrit de reus runs till the first of January 1634 on a 
yearly salary; but after that, all expenses and wages of laborers 
must be deducted, and of the remaining grain, milk, butter and 
increase of animals, one half shall belong to us and the other half 
to Gerrit de reux. I hope to deal with the other farmers on the 
same basis, as if we had a fixed yearly income; but as during the 
first years things are not in order, they want to receive monthly 
wages, as is reasonable. As increase shall count only such animals 
as are in excess of the original number and before they then get 
their share, they must give to the patroon the opportunity of pur- 
chase at a fixed rate if he so desires. Their share of the wheat I 
think it for the present not advisable to buy from them at a definite 
rate, as that can always be done. 

As to the profits on which we may count, we have various 
strings to our bow. The Company will have to keep at Fort 
Orange yearly some 25 men, from whom, by providing them with 
everything, we may draw some 2500 guilders a year and therewith 
pay the laborers' wages. As soon as there is a supply of grain on 
hand, I intend to erect a brewery to provide all New Netherland 
with beer, for which purpose there is already a brew kettle there, 
and when there is more grain, I intend also to erect a brandy dis- 
tillery, as there are several brandy kettles and wood can be had for 
the labor. 

I also intend to grind meal with a view of selling the same to 
the Brownists toward the north or to the English toward the south. 
At the worst, if we had over 100 lasts of grain, which at 100 
gold guilders a last would produce 1400 08 guilders, one could for 
4000 or 5000 guilders hire a ship to fetch the same and in going 
load it full of animals, as I have now found out that one can send 
over animals, feeding them meal without hay. The animals we 
could keep there so cheaply that the hides would pay the expense 
and the meat and fat we would have for nothing. I have also 
given order to raise many hogs, which during the day can run in 
the woods and during the night stay home, and provided care is 
taken to put some meal in their drinking water they may be fat 
before the winter comes. Here I run somewhat ahead, but before 
three years have elapsed I hope that we shall yearly, as surplus 
for ourselves and the farmers, grow over one hundred lasts of 
grain, which will increase from year to year if it please the Lord. 



08 Should be 14,000; the gold guilder equalling 1.40 guilders. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 201 

I shall try to have a map made of our colony, which being done, I 
shall send each of the confraters participants a copy. Further, as 
I have already advanced various sums of money and must daily 
advance more, we have thought it advisable that each y$ share 
should contribute 200 guilders and I therefore request that your 
honor be good enough to send me the said 200 guilders for your y$ 
part by the first opportunity in order that I may not count interest 
as I have done before. Wherewith ending, honorable, wise, pru- 
dent and discreet sir, I commend you to the gracious protection of 
Almighty God and greet you heartily. 

In witness that it has thus been resolved to contribute 200 guil- 
ders for each fifth part, we the undersigned participants have also 
signed this on the 27th of June 1632 at Amsterdam. 

Underneath was written: Kiliaen van Rensselaer, S. Godin, S. 
Blommaert. 



Power of attorney to Wouter van Twiller to administer the oath 
of schout to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest" 

July 1, 1632 

This day, the first day of the month of July in the year sixteen 
hundred and thirty-two, before me, Peter Ruttens, admitted notary 
public by the Court of Holland and residing at Amsterdam, and 
before the afternamed witnesses, appeared in his own person, the 
Hon. Kiliaen van Rensselaer, formerly director of the Chartered 
West India Company, Chamber of this city, well known to me, the 
notary, as patroon of his colony named Rensselaerswyck, lying on 
the river Mauritius, or North River of New Netherland, by virtue 
of the Freedoms granted to all patroons by the Assembly of the 
Nineteen of the Chartered West India Company, on the twenty- 
eighth of March, sixteen hundred and twenty-eight, and the seventh 
of June, sixteen hundred and twenty-nine, and has in that quality 
legally constituted and empowered, as he hereby does constitute 
and empower, the Hon. Wouter van Twiller, director general on 
behalf of the said Company in New Netherland aforesaid, giving 
him complete and absolute power, authority and special order, in his, 
the constituent's, name and in his behalf, to administer to Rutgert 
henrickss van Soest, farmer on West Island, on Rensselaers Burgh 

w V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.13. 



202 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

in Bylaersdal, the proper oath of fidelity as officer and schout in 
and over the aforesaid constituent's colony and the jurisdiction 
of the same with the solemnities required in the case, and further 
to do and perform in the matter everything else that in such or 
similar cases is required and necessary to be done, and as he, the 
constituent, being present in person as patroon aforesaid, might 
do himself, even if the matter required greater and more specific 
power, promising to hold good, satisfactory and 'valid whatever 
shall be done, executed or performed herein by the said deputy, 
all according to the requirements of the law ; copy hereof in due 
form being requested. Thus done within the aforesaid city of 
Amsterdam, at the house and office of me, the notary, in the 
presence of Ian de graeff and henrick doose, as witnesses. 

Power of attorney to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest to ad- 
minister the oath of schepen to Roelof Jansz van Masterland, 
Gerrit Theusz de Reux, Marinus Adriaensz van der Veere, 
Brant Peelen van Nijkerck and Laurens Laurensz van 
Coppenhagen; the schepen oath 1 

July i, 1632 

This day the first day of the month of July in the year sixteen 
hundred and thirty-two, before me Peter Ruttens, admitted notary 
public by the Court of Holland, and residing at Amsterdam, ap- 
peared in his own person the Hon. Kiliaen van Rensselaer, formerly 
director of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of this 
city, 2 well known to me, the notary, as patroon of his colony called 
Rensselaerswyck, lying on the river Mauritius, or North River of 
New Netherland, by virtue of the Freedoms granted to all patroons 
by the Assembly of the Nineteen of the Chartered West India Com- 
pany on the twenty-eighth of March, sixteen hundred and twenty- 
eight, and the seventh of June, sixteen hundred and twenty-nine, 
and has in that quality legally constituted and empowered, as he 
hereby does constitute and empower, the Hon. Rutger hendriexss 
van Soest, farmer on West Island, on Rensselaers burgh in By- 
laersdal, in the quality of officer and schout over the aforesaid 



1 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 3 b. 

2 The words " formerly director ... of this city " are in the handwriting of Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer and were substituted for " merchant residing in the aforesaid city." 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 203 

colony, giving him complete and absolute power, authority and 
special order in his, the constituent's, name and in his behalf, to 
administer to and receive of Roelof Jansz van Mastcrland, farmer 
on de Lacts-burgh in Tzvillers dal, the proper oath of schepen over 
his aforesaid colony and the jurisdiction of the same, also to 
Gerrit The/uwise de Reus, farmer on Bloemarts-burgh in Welys 
dal, also to' Marin adriaenss, tobacco planter on Godins-burgh, also 
to Brand Pelen vandcr Niekerck, farmer on West Island on Wclys 
burgh in Bylaers dal, also to Laurens Laurcnsz van Coppenhagen, 
miller on dc Laets kil, with further authority to substitute one or 
more others in the place of those that are absent or deceased, sub- 
ject to the approval however of the honorable constituent as pa- 
troon aforesaid, and further in the matter to do, observe and per- 
form everything else that in such or similar cases is required or 
necessary to be done, and the constituent as patroon aforesaid 
being personally present might do himself, even if the matter 
should require fuller authority. Promising to hold good, satis- 
factory and valid whatever shall be done, executed or performed 
herein by his deputy aforesaid ; all according to the requirements 
of the law. Thus done within this aforesaid city of Amsterdam, 
at the house and office of me, the notary, in the presence of Ian de 
graeff and hendrick doosc, as witnesses. 

The oath of the schepens 

To be read and administered 
by the honorable schout. 

This you swear, that you will be good schepens, that you will 
be loyal and feal to my gracious lord and support and strengthen 
him in his affairs as much as is in your power; that you will pass 
honest judgment between the lord and the farmer, the farmer and 
the lord, and in the proceedings between two farmers, and that you 
will not fail to do this on any consideration whatsoever. 

So help you God. 



204 NeW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Memoranda from Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter Van 

Twiller 3 

July 20, 1632 

Memoranda given by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as patroon of his 
colon)' called Rensselaerswyck, to his nephew Wouter van 
Twiller, director general in New Netherland of the Chartered 
West India Company, wishing the same good luck and a safe 
and happy voyage. This 20 July 1632, in Amsterdam. 

On the ship you will please to look after the persons who for 

my account go over by the same ship, to wit : 

Gerrit Theeusa de reus, farmer 

hendrick frerixsen van bunnick ""] f 

Comelis Jacobss van martensdyck > . , 

„ .. . . ", laborers 

Cornells theumss van meerkerck J 

Marcus mensen van Culenburgh, farm boy 

Charging the same to take good care of the calves which are 
sent over with them, also to provide the same well with food and 
water and to keep them clean. To that end I send along: 
2 pipes of spent malt or draff 
one hogshead and 2 barrels 4 of rye meal 
three barrels ground linseed cakes 
12 sacks of hay for refreshment 5 
I send along also for the use of the farms a ship's chest in which 
are: 

12 grass scythes 

19 Hainault scythes for grain 

9 horse traces, 8 collars, 4 whips, 4 dozen whiplashes 

also a hamper in which a small keg with 33 m treacle as 

medicine for the horses 
two fine firelocks 7 with powder flasks, one of which is a 

matchlock 8 
also a bastard greyhound for G*. de reus 
A silver-plated rapier with baldric and a black hat with plume, 
to be presented to Rutger hendrixsz van Soest in his capacity as 
officer and schout of Rensselaerswyck, for which purpose I give 



8 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.14. 

* smaltonnen. 

1 tot ververschinge. 

* sichten; short single-handed scythes, also called Flemish scythes. 
T vuyrroers. 

* snaphaan. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 205 

your honor proper power of attorney to administer to the same the 
usual oath of fidelity. I should be pleased if this matter were 
disposed of as soon as possible, and if the opportunity does not 
present itself for your honor to see him or have him come to see 
you soon, you will please give a power of attorney to the then 
commis of Fort Orange to administer the oath to the said Rutger 
with the proper formalities, if possible on the farm which he now 
occupies, and thereafter to offer him the rapier and the hat. 

Also, four black hats 9 with silver bands, to be presented in my 
name to the following persons, whom I have designated as 
schepens and councilors of Rensselaerswyck according to the ac- 
companying power of attorney: 

Roelof Jansscn van Masterland 

gerrit theussen de Reus 

maryn adriaensz vand. vere 

Brandt Pelen vander nykerck 

Laurens laurensz van coppenhagen 

For which purpose I send by you a formal power of attorney 
made out to the aforesaid officer Rutger hcndrixsz to be handed 
to him with the copy of the accompanying schepen oath, whereupon 
he shall summon the aforenamed persons to his place of residence, 
have the aforesaid power of attorney and schepen oath read to 
them, and after suitable remarks and with becoming respect, as in 
the presence of God, administer the said oath and thereafter pre- 
sent each one of them with one of the aforesaid hats. 

And whereas Wolffert Gcrritsz has requested to be released from 
his engagement, although I had expected that he would have moved 
his residence up above, or at least have stayed there for some 
months the better to look after my affairs, you will grant him his 
request; and as I have been informed that he has not troubled 
himself much about my affairs and has also been but seldom up the 
river, you will make such arrangements with him as the circum- 
stances require and see whether you can not buy some animals from 
him for me, as I understand that he has a good quantity of them 
left, the price of which and the charges for his trouble you may 
add together. 

Meanwhile, you will please take charge and superintend my men 
as much as possible and request somebody at Fort Orange to keep 
an eye on them during your absence and, in case they should be 



• vier swartte hoeden; though five persons are named. 



206 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Lr£m, M who haTTrawn" lU UQed ° f SOme ° ,1C t0 W1 ' ite ° r t0 read 

be e suiubTe ff^p^r- their instructions, to take charge of that 

SSafcS^a^JSW also ' or do what in ^ our °P inion sha11 bc 

if he should remain and if advisable and of service to me. 

he does not thereby be- 

cSm^ uspected by the Concerning Officer Notclman, who was 
to deliver to me all the animals and farm 
implements w Inch belonged to Gerrit de Reus after compensating 
the Company for them according to the contracts of the farmers, 
I understand that he has been prevented by frost from bringing 
them up above before the winter, but he promised me that he would 
do so at the first opportunity in the spring, of which I doubt not. 
However, if he has not at all or only in part carried out his promise, 
you will cause him to do so, as I need the animals as well as the 
implements very much for my men and farms, and would suffer 
great damage and delay in case he acted contrary to his agreement. 
Of the horses and cows which he has kept over winter, he has 
enjoyed the dairy products and the labor, having so overworked 
the horses that they have all thrown their colts prematurely. 
Nevertheless, you will in all justness settle the matter with him 
and as, so far as I know, I am still several animals short of the 
complement of the two farms of Evert focken and of Gerrit 
de Reus, for which I must pay the Company, you will take care 
that I obtain the rest. You must know that the two old stallions 
which Roeloff Jansz: has and also the horses of the stave splitters 
are not included therein, but must be paid for separately and, as I 
have not received any hogs and Officer Notelman has a good quan- 
tity of them to spare, you might take the same over from him or 
from some one else for the Company and according to the contract 
cause the same to be delivered to me. 

J understand that Claes cornelis-2 radeuuieeker v - is quite willing 
to give up some horses and cattle; if you can obtain any from him 
or any one else, von will not fail to buy the same for my account, as 
I am fully determined to take over all animals that are for sale, 
whether old or young, at a reasonable price or at the rate of those 
sold before; and as many young animals as arc to be had on the 
farms of Minuit and Bylvelt of which I shall apparently obtain a 
goodly number, you will please send all of those up the river at the 



10 Apparently a draft of the map of the colony of Rensselaerswyek reproduced in 
this volume; sec p. 33. 

11 Marginal note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 
M rademaecker means wheelwright. 



VAN RENSSELAER KOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 207 

first opportunity ; and as it is apparent that several farm hands when 
their time has expired will come home, you will select from them 
the best and as many as you shall judge necessary for my farms and 
animals; and if there are any suitable blacks, provide me with them 
if you think that they will render me good service. On the con- 
trary, if there are any persons in my employ whom your honor 
considers unserviceable to me and who do not properly acquit 
themselves of their duties, whether master or servant or whoever 
it may be, you will ipso facto deport and discharge the same, and if 
they return home, they will in all such cases do so at their own 
expense. 

Herewith I send also two barrels in which are g]/ 2 schepels of 
buckwheat for seed, to be divided among my farmers. 

Also half a barrel, in which 2 schepels, and one firkin 13 of rape 
seed, also to be divided among my farmers, and to be seeded in 
such places as they find suitable thereto, taking good care to pre- 
serve the crop, so that in the future they may sow the same again 
and advise me if it succeeds well. 

In case you are of opinion that I could run the brickyard with 
profit, you will please see to that, as the clay of which the bricks 
and tiles are burned must be taken from my land. 

If the savages should be inclined to sell the small islands above 
Fort Orange, as well as that opposite the fort and those of Paep- 
sickene (which are also situated on the east side somewhat farther 
south than Castle, now called West Island), I should be pleased to 
buy the same, as my colony would then be complete 14 and no one 
else own land therein. 

You will also please notice whether any silkworms are found 
there and whether it would be advisable to do anything with them, 
as mulberry trees occur in my colony and such worms are likely 
to be found there. 

Herewith goes a copy of the instructions to Rutgcr hendrixsz 
van Socst, together with the contract made with Gerrit Theeussa 
dc Reus, of which your honor will please send a copy to Fort 
Orange in order to hear the decision of the other farmers respect- 



13 vierdevat. 

u This expression is significant in connection with the patroon's statement in his 
letter to de Laet, June 27, 1632, that they had "all the shore along the river, on the 
west side, from beeren Island to Momncnis Castle," a distance, according to the map 
of Rensselaerswyck, of exactly four Dutch miles or leagues, the extent of territory on 
one side of a navigable river allowed by the fifth article of the Freedoms and Exemp- 
tions, which the patroon evidently understood to be inclusive of the islands. Cf. note 
on p. 167. 



208 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ing it, whether they would be willing to accept similar conditions or 
not, whereof your honor will please send us definite advice. 

The horses and cows which I and other farmers must furnish to 
the Company from the respective farms, according to the con- 
ditions, I am satisfied to retain and accept at the price formerly 
paid and as fixed by the Company. I request your honor not to be 
too saving in this matter, that I may get the same, specially those 
of zvolffert gerritssen, who, as I understand, is willing to deliver 
his at the first opportunity in order to have his other animals free. 

Instructions to Rutger Hendricksz van Soest, schout, and the 
council of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 15 

July 20, 1632 

Instructions for Rutger Hendricxssen van Socst, officer, and for 
his associated council 16 in Rensselaerswyck, sent him by Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, patroon of the said colony, according to which, so far 
as they apply, he and the other inhabitants of the said place must 
faithfully and honestly govern, comport, conduct and acquit them- 
selves. 

1 First, Rutger H endriexsz aforesaid, after taking the oath of 
fidelity and as officer aforesaid, shall present himself before and 
call on the commis of Fort Orange and offer him every favor, 
assistance and the usual tokens of friendship, in order that they 
may mutually aid one another not only with word and deed, but 
in time of danger with life and limb against the common enemy ; 
and he shall further entertain constantly friendly relations, each 
respecting the other. 

2 On all occasions when a council meeting is held (which must 
take place at the officer's house), they shall not .neglect to invoke 
the name of the Lord, and every Sunday and on the usual holidays 
they shall come together to read aloud some chapters from the 
Holy Scriptures, for which purpose a Bible is herewith sent to 
them, as well as a huyspostille SchultetV 7 in which every Sunday 
throughout the year has its special lesson and exposition of God's 
Holy Word, to which reading Brandt Peelen vandcr Niekerck is 
hereby authorized. 

3 Third, the officer shall select one of the schepens or some one 
else whom he may judge fit to record the resolutions of the council. 



15 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.17. Extract of these instructions in V.R.B.Mss 36; 
see p. 701. 

18 bygevoegde Raden. * 

*f Abraham Spujtetus, Huys Postillen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 20Q 

4 If any one of the schepens should misbehave himself, so that 
the officer have cause to enter a complaint against him, the de- 
linquent shall during the deliberation on his affairs absent himself 
from the council. 

5 In order that the officer and the schepens may know the better 
the Freedoms of the patroons and colonies, I send herewith five 
printed copies, one to be given to each of the schepens, and a sixth 
for the officer, and those who can not read shall immediately have 
the same read to them by others, that they may in no wise exceed 
their rights. 

6 And although the fifteenth article of the said Freedoms con- 
cedes to the patroons, at places where the Company has no commis, 
the trade in beaver, otter, mink and similar peltries, and my colony 
extends several leagues above and below as well as opposite Fort 
Orange, which as well as the example of other patroons might 
easily induce my people to engage in such trade of peltries, it is 
nevertheless my express wish and desire that without my further 
order no one, be he free or servant in my employ, or living in my 
colony, shall presume to barter any peltries with the savages or 
seek to obtain them as a present, on forfeiture of their earnings 
and all their other effects according to the conditions and express 
stipulations of their contract; and in order that no one should in 
any way pretend ignorance thereof, the aforesaid officer shall sum- 
mon before him all the inhabitants of Rensselaerswyck, together 
with all those who are in my service, whether old or young, man or 
woman, master or servant, no one excepted, in order to notify them 
of this my intention. But in case any savages should offer any one 
of them two or three skins for food or drink, he must deliver the 
same immediately upon receipt to the officer aforesaid, who at least 
once every month or six weeks shall turn the said skins over to the 
commis at Fort Orange, and take proper receipt therefor. 

7 The seawan, pearls, minerals, crystals or similar things which 
any one of them may find or obtain he must deliver into the hands 
of the officer, who shall keep the same in safety and at the first 
opportunity have report thereof made to the patroon in order that 
he may take proper measures in regard to the same. 

8 Forbidding all inhabitants of Rensselaerswyck, in case they 
discover in the said colony or outside any gold, silver, copper or 
other mines or any marble quarries, or pearl fisheries and whatever 
else might be of importance, to reveal the same to any one but the 
officer, who if the same are situated outside of the colony, but not 

14 . ._ . . . •- 



2IO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

otherwise, shall report the same to the commis at Fort Orange in 
the name of his patroon as the first finder and immediately advise, 
his patroon thereof, who shall thereafter regulate the matter and ac- 
cording to circumstances offer a substantial reward to the first 
finder. 

9 The officer is hereby warned that rock crystal is found in de 
Lacts kil opposite Fort Orange, above and inland from the dwelling 
of Roeloff lansrj, and that care should be taken to see whether the 
mountain from which the same drops into the creek can not be 
found. 

10 The officer shall with the advice of the council take measures 
to have the following farms put into working order at the earliest 
possible moment, to have the houses erected and the farms provided 
with people and animals. 

The first farm shall be that on which the officer lives now, called 
Rensselaers burgh, and of which he, the officer, shall remain farmer. 

The second, that across the river, where Roclof Janssz dwells, 
called de Lacts burgh, on which the said Roeloff shall remain far- 
mer. 

The third shall be established on Castle Island, now called West 
Island, the house to be erected where it shall be most convenient and 
as near as possible to every other farm, on which farm, which shall 
be named Welys burgh, Brandt Pelen vandcr Niekerck shall be 
farmer, who shall have half of the said island for his use. 

The fourth shall be established on the fourth creek lying north of 
Fort Orange and south of the islands which lie in the river. On 
this farm, which shall be called Blommacrts burgh, gcrrit theusz de 
reus shall be farmer. 

And in order that the two houses which have not yet been com- 
menced may be the sooner finished, the officer shall request of the 
commis at Fort Orange the assistance of the carpenters, smiths and 
other workmen, at the expense of his patroon. Meanwhile, Roclof 
Janssz, Laurcs laurcssz, Barent thcunisz and all others who are at all 
capable of working on the aforesaid houses, shall assist each other 
diligently and faithfully, so that the aforesaid houses may be erected 
and finished. But even if they can not get any assistance from 
the men of the Company, they shall all without exception help one 
another faithfully, as people having but one and the same master. 
To the director, Wouter ran Twitter, T have handed a copy of the 
conditions made with Gerrit Theeuzvisz dc reus concerning the farm 
above Fort Orange, and am willing to let all my other farmers en- 
joy the same conditions also. However, as the farms of the officer 



VAN RENSSELAER B0W1ER MANUSCRIPTS 211 

and of Rocloff Janssz are already in working order, the conditions 
respecting the same mnst go into effect on the first of January next, 
bnt for the farm to be established for Brandt Peelen, they shall go 
into effect only on the first of January 1634, like those of Gerrit de 
reus; acceptance whereof, so far as he is concerned, each one must 
without fail send me by the first ship. 

Nor must they neglect to send me by. the ship de walvisch 18 , which 
towards winter will come to fish in the South River and will leave in 
the spring, information of everything, to wit, what kind and how 
many animals each farm has, how many of them have died and what 
the increase has been, what grain there is in sacks, in the granary 
and on the field, what the profit or loss of each farm has been, how 
much land is attached to each farm and further everything that is 
necessary, so that the patroon may know from year to year exactly 
what his profit has been and which farmers have exerted themselves 
most. 

If any farm hands or even farmers or any one else should mis- 
behave themselves, especially those who through quarreling or fight- 
ing, through laziness or drinking, neglect the profit of their patroon, 
they must be corrected and punished according to the customs of 
these lands and especially according to the laws of this province of 
Holland, without regard to person. 

Concerning the milk, butter, cheese and further all kinds of grain 
and root crops which every one has in store, they shall try to sell 
these to the best advantage for the patroon, either to Christians or 
savages, and if they have so much grain on hand that it can not be 
used there, they shall send it over to this country in the ships of the 
Company with proper invoice, after having inquired of the director 
how much room for that purpose there is in the ships. And if they 
think it advisable to erect a brandy distillery or a brewery, they shall 
ask the director for the large brewing kettle and brandy kettle which 
is at the Mahhattes and sell the brandy and beer either at Fort 
Orange or at the Manhattes or elsewhere. 

As to the young cows, as soon as they are of suitable age they 
shall be covered by the bull in order to increase the stock, and the 
bull calves shall from the first be castrated and kept in order to 
fatten them, but the young horses shall not be covered before the 
third or fourth year. 

Further, a goodly number of hogs shall be kept on each farm, 
which can be trained to run in the woods in the daytime and to 
come home at night, and if they must be tended by a swineherd dur- 



18 The Whale. 



212 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ing the day it is not necessary that each farm have a boy for that 
purpose, as one person could easily watch all the hogs together, and 
if the houses are too widely separated, the hogs might be taken for 
the night now to one farm and then to the other. 

The people shall supply and furnish one another all such tools and 
victuals as one is provided with and the other not, in such way how- 
ever that each one must keep account of what he gives out and re- 
ceives. As I do not doubt that this next slaughter time some of my 
young steers will be fit to kill, you must sell the same either at the 
Manhatas or at Fort Orange to my best advantage and do the same 
year after year, and each year try to increase the amount. 

In case you should have more milk or butter than can be consumed 
there in the country, you must take care to preserve the butter with 
salt so as to be fit for shipment. But to my mind it would be more 
profitable to make cheese than to churn the milk into butter. 

If the commis at Fort Orange, contrary to expectation, should 
act in an unneighborly manner, you will carefully examine the 
printed Freedoms and do whatever be found there to my advantage, 
making use of the sixth article, by which fishing, shooting of birds 
and grinding of meal within my colony are reserved to the patroon 
or to the person having his permission and by which all the lands 
above as well as below and opposite Fort Orange are under my juris- 
diction. As during the winter large quantities of venison are 
brought to the fort by the savages, with which they readily part in 
return for milk, butter, etc., care must be taken to buy up and salt 
the same for use either pickled or smoked, not only for your own 
needs but also as food and provision for the Manhatas and other 
quarters, and if they have enough, to send it here. You must also 
know that opposite the fort toward the south, there are large quan- 
tities of geese and turkeys, so that I am inclined to think that my 
colony will soon be in a flourishing state, specially if you on your 
part show no lack of diligence, industry and work. 

If any one who is not in my service should wish to do some farm- 
ing in my colony, specially on the lands bought by me, you must 
not permit but must prevent the same, as you are hereby advised 
that all the lands lying on the west side of the river, from beyrcn 
Island to Moenetninnes Castle, have been bought by me and paid for, 
even including the place where Fort Orange stands, but if those of 
the fort offer you the helping hand, you shall in return accommodate 
them as much as possible, in order that one hand washing the other 
they may both become clean. 19 



19 For additional paragraph, see p. 701. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 213 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 20 

July 20, 1632 

Laus Deo, this day, 20 July 1632, in Amsterdam 
Conrad notelman 

Mon cousin: I find myself with your favor of the 15th of Jan- 
uary last past, with the account of the f30 given to you here and 
the f2i received from Rutgert hendrixsz, which is therefore set- 
tled. I have further given to your wife £75, as she states in her 
letter I suppose, which you must make good there. I have also 
given her the 2 RD- 1 of Gerrit de Reus and the 3 RD of the Noor- 
mannen. The f36 of hendrick gysbertsz van Vianen were received 
and given to my brother in law to hand to your wife, but this she 
did not know yet when she wrote her letter. ' 

The f3 of minne bouivessz are still lacking . . , 22 on account 
of the great changes which have taken place here, and if I had not 
exerted my influence they would have recalled you together with 
others whom they are ordering home, as my nephew Woutter van 
Twiller, who now goes there as director general, will no doubt tell 
you. He has also done his best to keep you there, so that you will 
now have to pay close attention to your duties and perform them to 
the best services of the Company or they will the next time easily 
find occasion to remand you. However, I have no doubt but you 
will properly acquit yourself of them. 

I have asked my aforesaid nephew to look a little after the affairs 
of my colony, which you will please do also and faithfully advise me 
of all that happens there. 

I have released Wolff ert Gerritsz, on your advice and at his re- 
quest, and also given my nephew orders to talk over with you the 
tilings of which you write. I see that of my eight calves six arrived, 
of which two died later in that country, so that there are still four 
left, which no doubt you have sent up the river with my other ani- 
mals in good time in the spring. I hear some complaints that you 
have worked my horses a little too hard so that they have all thrown 
their colts prematurely. I hope that this is not true, but that on the 
contrary they brought forth the colts last May. I wish, now that the 
farm of minuit has been granted to my nephew wouter van Twiller, 
that you might get that of Bylvelt, and also that I might get the 



*> V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.21. 

21 RD stands for rijksdaalder, or rix-dollar, a silver coin of the value of 2.50 guilders. 

•* Here a line or more must have been omitted in the Letter Book. 



214 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

surplus young stock of both, as otherwise I do not know wherewith 
to support without loss the 50 persons whom I must have there 
within four years. The hogs which must still be delivered to me 
by the Company, I have requested my nephew to take of you on 
proper payment. I am glad to hear that Rutger hendrixsen has ac- 
quitted himself so well and has a fine farm with a good farmhouse 
and 16 morgens winter wheat in the field and apparently will have 
sown also a good quantity of summer wheat. 

I have made him officer over my colony named R.ensselaerswyck, 
and presented him with a plated rapier and baldric as well as a hat 
with plume. 

I have thought fit to establish another farm above Fort Orange, 
of which Gerrit theeusz dc reus shall be farmer. I have promised 
to return to him the animals which came from him and I have no 
doubt that he will find them there on his arrival. Also a fourth 
farm on Castle Island, next to Rutgers, of which Brandt peclen will 
be farmer. I hope that I shall have animals enough for the afore- 
said farms, which with that of Rocloff Janssz will then be four in 
number, and if I can get more animals, I should by the next ship 
like to fit out two more farms and send the people for them over at 
the same time. I beg you to look well after these matters, especi- 
ally when you go up there to note how everything proceeds and who 
acquits himself best, just as you have done lately, for which I thank 
you very kindly. In turn I shall on all occasions look after your 
interests. 

For the rest I refer to the verbal report of my nephew W outer 
van Twitter, to whom I have recommeded you most highly. I 
doubt not but he will be more favorably inclined toward you than 
his predecessor has been. But you have occupied yourself a little 
too much with the personal question against the director, notwith- 
standing I had warned you so strongly against that. In all well 
ordered governments one must respect his chief and work not for 
faction but for the common good, for where the head is against 
the members and the members against the head everything must be 
lost. 

Wherewith ending, mon cousin, I commend you to the gracious 
protection of Almighty God and with hearty salutations from my- 
self, my wife, her mother, sister and brothers and all the friends, 
remain, 

Your willing servant and Cousin, 

K. V. R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOVVIER MANUSCRIPTS 215 

N. B. I should like nothing better than to hear by your next let- 
ter that you are on goods terms with my nephew, the director, and 
if you hear anything to his disparagement, you will properly defend 
and warn him. The letter of your wife, I have sent by him; it is 
in the chest 23 in which are my farm implements, such as Hainault 
and grass scythes. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Dirck Cornelisz Duyster- 4 

July 20, 1632 

Lous Deo, this day, 20 July 1632, in Amsterdam 

Honorable, discreet S 1 Dirck Cornelisss duyster: This will serve 
[to let you know] that I have duly received your writing of the 1st 
of November last past, from which I learn the situation of my farms 
and your opinion of wolffert gerritsen, whom I have released at 
his request. You thank me that I have procured you the office of 
commis, which I did with great pleasure, conscientiously believing 
that you merited it. I only wish that my successors had done so 
likewise, but as new lords usually make new laws, I have heard a 
rumor that they have appointed some one else above you and also 
that they summon home albert diteringh and Bastiaeu Jansss crol. 
Therefore, if you should make difficulty about accepting again the 
office of onder-commis, no one of the old servants would remain 
there, which might easily cause great changes and the complete de- 
struction and ruin of the flourishing trade which now increases so 
much, and at the same time completely spoil my young and tender 
colony which has already cost me so much, and place the people in 
great peril, which I hope Almighty God will graciously prevent. I 
should be pleased if you could resolve to stay there, as I do not 
know at all the commis'-' who is to be there, and as I hear that he is 
quite prejudiced against the colonies, so that instead of showing 
friendship, he will seek to offend me. If he do so, I shall oppose 
him, and who knows how it will go ten months from now, when 
again six directors must retire. I have already brought some order 
in my colony called Rensselaerswyck, namely I have appointed Rut- 
ger hendrixsen as officer and schout and also chosen five schepens 
to guard my rights there, and I have sent to each a printed copy 
of the Freedoms with full instructions according to which they 



^ cargasoen kistgen. 

■*r. R. B. .!/.«. Letter Book, f.22. 

- 5 Hans Jorisz Hunthum. 



2l6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

must regulate themselves. If the commis refuse me favors that he 
could easily grant without prejudice to the Company, I must look 
out for myself, as all the land from beeren Island to Moenemins 
Castle belongs to me by lawful purchase and conveyance, even the 
land on which Fort Orange stands, and nobody may without my 
consent fish, fowl or shoot game, or even do any farming on my 
land, according to the sixth article. However, if he is disposed to 
act in a proper and neighborly manner, I seek only peace and pleas- 
ant relations, but if he is not willing, I shall not trouble myself much 
about him. I have prohibited my people from trading in peltries 
notwithstanding I have as good a right as others, 26 according to the 
fifteenth article of the Freedoms. I have done this to avoid dispute 
with the Company and therefore hope that as hitherto they will not 
act otherwise than fairly towards me, unless the commis who is now 
going there should be partial, as I fear he will be, and as I have 
been told he has already sufficiently intimated here in this country. 
The Company might better have entrusted the trade to you, or at 
least could have sent another and less notorious 27 person than this. 
I am very anxious [to know] whether he will prove the man [to do 
the things] for which some have forced him in fairly against the 
breast of many of the directors. They have made my nephew Wout- 
ter van Twitter director general, who also goes over now. I have 
most highly recommended you to him. He is quite content with you ; 
would that he were equally satisfied with the other, but time will 
show. If you can not resolve to stay at Fort Orange, you might 
try to exchange places with Jacobus van Coder, that he might be 
appointed at the fort and you as commis at the North. 28 If you de- 
cide to stay, I recommend you to do your best, and inasmuch as 
Rutger hendrixsz and my other men are not very ready with the 
pen, be pleased to help them a little and I trust you enough for them 
to let you read my letters and instructions. Wherewith ending, 
I commend you to the gracious protection of Almighty God and 
greet you heartily. 

Your affectionate friend 

Kindly do me the favor to have albert dieterinck or some one 
else some day pace off the farm lands from Moenemins Castle to 



M The original has alsoo geen recht hebbe als andere, which is apparently a mistake 
for alsoo goed een recht hebbe als andere; see article 6 of instructions to Rutger 
Hendricksz, p. 209. 

27 opspraechelyck. 

- 3 om de Noort; literally, around the North. The expression refers probably to Fort 
Good Hope, on the Connecticut River. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2\J 

the falls and from the falls to the pine wood 20 lying above the is- 
lands ; also the lands near the mill creek, 30 and the farm lands op- 
posite Fort Orange, as well as those which lie between beijrcn Is- 
land and Sma.v Island, that I may know how many paces long and 
how many wide each portion is, and to have philips Jansen van haer- 
len make a map thereof. The [map of the] other [land] which 
M r crijri 61 measured, I have duly received. I shall also write a 
short letter to albert dicterinck and another to Bastiaen Jansen crol, 
as I very much desire this done, gerrit dc Reux will no doubt 
help also. 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Bastiaen Jansz Krol 32 

July 20, 1632 

Laus Deo, this day, 20 July 1632, in Amsterdam 
Bastiaen Jansz crol 

Honorable, prudent, very discreet Sir : I find myself with your 
favor of the 33 January, in which you thank me that I helped to 
promote you to the directorship, 34 which I did with pleasure. How- 
ever, though new lords make new laws, I am astonished at the 
great changes which they are making, inasmuch as they summon 
you and albert ditering home and send a new commis to Fort Or- 
ange, appointing Dirck comelissz again as ondcr- commis, and if the 
same refuse to accept this, as I half fear he will, not one of the old 
servants will be there, with the result that the trade which has now 
been placed upon such a good footing by you might again be com- 
pletely ruined, unless something worse happen, which God forbid. 
I thank you for the purchase of the land and other courtesies done 
to me, as well as for the communications sent to me, and although 
they now send my nephew Woutter there as director, believe me 
freely that he has not tried in the least to oust you from your office, 
as the directors have offered it to him without his asking for it and 
without my speaking to any one about it for him, going on the 
general principle that they wanted to call all the people home (which 



20 greyncn bos; the site of the present city of Watervlict. 

80 Meulekil; the Normans Kill. 

n Crijn Fredericksz; see p. 636. 

32 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.2ic. 

38 Day of month not given. 

84 Krol was director general of New Netherland for 13 months, apparently from the 
end of February, or beginning of March 1632 to the end of March 1633; see Examina- 
tion of Bastiaen Jansz Krol, June 30, 1634, on p. 302. 



2l8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

thus far they have not been able to do however) and send altogether 
a new set of people, a few excepted. Whether they act prudently 
and wisely in this, I leave for others who are cleverer than myself 
to judge. The result will show it ; and whether they are not recall- 
ing more efficient and faithful people than some of the new ones 
they send out; the Lord only knows. At all events, many of them 
are sorry to send any one who is favorable to the patroons, even 
without harm to the Company. But they can not yet do every- 
thing they would like. I commend to you once more the best inter- 
ests of my colony, which has already cost me a great deal. Where- 
with ending, I commend you to God's gracious protection and send 
hearty greetings. 

Your very favorably disposed friend 

I should be pleased if albert Dietcrinck or some one else would 
some day pace off those of my farm lands which -M r crijn S5 has not 
measured, to wit : opposite Fort Orange ; also near the mill creek ; 30 
further above the pine wood 37 to the falls, from there to Moene- 
mins Castle, the length and the width. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert Gerritsz 38 

July 20, 1632 

Laus Deo, this day, 20 July 1632, in Amsterdam 
Honorable, discreet Woifert Gerritsz: 

Your letter of the 9th of January last I duly received, from 
which I learned the condition of my farms, as also that I should 
send some farm hands, to which end I have engaged Gerrit theeussz 
dc reus, who goes thither with some servants. I did not send 
more, as I thought that for the present this would be enough. T 
had hoped that you would have settled in my colony but, as I am 
told, your wife was not much inclined thereto, which I imagine to 
be the reason that you seek to be released, and as I should be sorry 
to keep anybody in my service against his will and to his discom- 
fort, I have ordered by nephew Woutcr van Tzvillcr, who now 
goes thither as director general, to settle your past accounts in all 
fairness and at the same time to negotiate with you about the 
animals that remain in your possession, as I still need quite a num- 



35 Crijn Fredericks? ; see p. 636. 

M meulekil; referring to the Normans Kill. 

37 grejnen bos; the site of the present city of Watervliet. 

* V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.23. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2IO, 

ber for the completion of my projected farms and Officer notelman 
has advised me that you will let me have some. I should have been 
pleased if you had sent me the account of the various kinds of 
grain which were grown in 163 1 and whether they amounted to 
enough to furnish food for all my people and animals, as I can 
not learn what was grown in 163 1 ; I hope that this year will be 
better. 

It shows bad management that Rocloif Janssen could not get 
any winter seed ; I hope that he has sown the more summer seed. 
If my people had a good supply of grain, I should think it not a 
bad plan if I established a brewery and brandy distillery in my 
district, in regard to which I shall be pleased to receive your advice 
at the first opportunity, as also how many farms there could be in 
my colony giving every farmer 20 or 30 morgens arable land be- 
sides pasture and meadow land. For the rest I refer to the verbal 
communications of my nephew, the director, commending you 
meanwhile to the gracious protection of Almighty God and salut- 
ing you heartily. 

Your very willing friend 

I have recommended you to my nephew, who I have no doubt 
will show you every favor so far as the service of the Company and 
his commission will allow. 



Memoranda about letters to Albert Dieterinck and Jacobus van 
Curler and about Rutger Morris 39 

July 20, 1632 

N. B. The letter to oclbcrt dicttcrinck respecting the pacing off 
of the farm lands. 

N. B. Ditto to Jacobus van Corlcr to take the place of dirrick 
cornclisscn Duyster as ondcr-commis at Fort Orange, who in turn 
could in his stead become conunis at the North. 40 

N. B. The English boy who came, over from the South is called 
Rutgert Moris; he is drummer at the Manhatans and has sown 
tobacco for Director Minuijt. From 300 plants the director had 
at a guess 80 lb; it was sown in the fall, covered during the winter 
with manure and transplanted in the spring. 

s0 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.23. 
*• See p. 216. 



220 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

List of animals in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 41 

July 20, 1632 

( lassification of the animals belonging to the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck with specification 42 of the persons from whom I have 
obtained them, this 20th of July 1632 

Mares 3 from the farm of Evert focken — there remains still 
1 belonging to the Company. 

1 bought of the stave splitters has died in the posses- 

sion of Rutger 
4 bought of the Company, 1630, which are now all fully 

Sy 3 years old 
4 from the farm of Gerrit de Rcux which bore colts 
2 from the farm of Bylevelt which bear colts 

Total 13 

Stallions 2 foaled in 1630, bought of P r minuijt 

1 foaled in 1630, from the farm of Bylevelt 

2 old ones bought of the Company, on the farm of 

Roelof jansen 
1 thrown in 1629, bought of the Company, coming from 

■minuijt 
1 thrown in 1630 bought of minuijt. N. B. This shall 

be yours provided you give me some colts thrown 

May 1632 in return 
1 thrown in 1630 or 163 1, bought of Gerrit dc Reus 
1 colt, thrown in 1631, on the farm of Rutger; do not 

know whether it is a stallion or a mare 

Total 22 horses with the increase which they have had [till] May 
1632. Among these are probably 20 fit for work, 
even if you took the stallions from them, so that at 
least five farms could be stocked therewith. 



Milch cows 2 from the farm of Evert focken 

O 1 ditto died on the farm aforesaid 
2 bought of Minuyt 



I 



thcro remain fcc- 
lonsinR to flir 
Company i cow 
and 2 heifers 



41 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, t.26. 

4 * The words here italicized were added in the margin by Kiliacn van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



221 



delivered by Gerrit de Reux to nootelman; should 
have been only 4, received therewith only 1 year- 
ling and I have paid for the increase in value to 
Reux, to wit, 150 

bought from the farm of Bylevelt 

bought of the surplus of Bylevelt 



Total 15 cows 

Heifers 1 then a yearling, with the 5 cows of Reux. There are 

4 cows and 2 yearlings instead of 5 cows and 1 
yearling. Extra payment as above f5o 

2 born 1630, bought of Reux 

4 born 1630, bought of minuyt 

1 born 1630, bought of bylevelt 

1 born 1630, bought of the farm of bylevelt 

Total 24 animals, most of which will have calved in May 

1632 and with which at least 5 farms can be 

stocked and Laurens Laurensen no or man be 

given 2 or 3 besides. 

4 heifer calves born 1631, of the 8 sent over with 

nootelman 
1 ditto born 163 1, raised by Rutger hendrixsen 
1 ditto born 163 1, from the farm of Bylevelt 

30 heifers and calves 

also 10 yearling bulls and oxen, to wit, 1 yearling ox 
bought of Reux, 4 which Rutger hendrixsen has 
had, 2 bought of minuijt and 3 of Bylevelt 

also 6 heifer calves which will now go across with Reux 

by this ship; cost f8i 113 

The purchased hogs with the increase of young pigs, you will 
please also distribute over the five farms and, as I have now a 
fair quantity of animals, the farmers can give the hogs the surplus 
buttermilk to drink and have those that can not be sold in the 
country killed toward winter when they are fat, and salted and 
cured, and if due attention is given thereto I imagine that it can 
be made a source of great profit, as they can get most of their 
food from the woods. 



222 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

List of the men on the farms 4 " 

July 20, 1632 

The men on the farms 

On Renselaers burch 

Officer Rutger Hcndrixscn, farmer 
Cornells jacopsen van martens dyck 
Seger jansen van nieukerck 
picter hcndrixscn van so est 

On Welys burch 

Brandt peclcn van nieukerck, farmer 
Barent jansen van Descns 4 * 
Marcus mense van cuyleborch 

the fourth reux will have to do without if your honor can 
not get another in his stead 45 

( )n de lactsburch 

Roelof jansen van masterlandt, farmer 
Claes Clacsen van vlecker 
Jacob Goyversen van vlecker 

On Blommaert Burch 

Gerrit Teeusen den reux, farmer 
hendrick frerickscn van Bunnick 
Cornells Thonissen van meerkerck 

On Godyns burgh, to be erected near the mill creek where there 
is much timber, or, in order to be nearer by, at the next 
creek toward Fort Orange, opposite Castle Island, or 
otherwise, if that can not conveniently be done, on the 
east side of the river near Roelof jansens 

The foreman of Pieter Bylcvelt to be made farmer, a farm 
laborer to be engaged there and also another laborer or a black 
in his stead. 

If there are suitable farm hands whose time is up and who want 
to come home, some more might be engaged with the advice of the 
farmers if the wages are reasonable. 

N. B. If the laborers of Bylevelt should not be willing to serve 
me or not be satisfactory to me, you may engage theunis willemsen, 



« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.zd. 

14 becrent lanscn ran esen[enf], p. 308. 

*'' See p. 196, 204. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 223 

who was left over in Swaenendacl* 6 to serve out the rest of his 
term as farmer up the river. 

I hear also that Cornells van voorst has laborers whose time is 
up and that he has engaged new men. It would not be bad either 
to use Laurens Laurensen or his mate as farmer. 

Inventory of goods and animals sold by Peter Minuit to Wouter 
van Twiller and Kiliaen van Rensselaer 47 

July 20, 1632 

Gerret Jans en van oldenborch, foreman on my farm, or some one 
else in his absence, shall let Wouter van twiller, director of New 
Netherland, have these following animals and tools, sold and ceded 
to him of the animals which I had in stock in January 1632 accord- 
ing to inventory of the council signed by bastiaen Jansen Croll, 
with this understanding that if any one of them have died they 
shall be charged to the said van Twiller, in return for which he 
shall have the benefit of the colts and calves thrown since: 
four old mares, with colt at the time 
four old cows, also with calf 
two heifers, then one year old 
six sheep 
six hogs 

These sheep and hogs Minuit did not receive from the 
Company ; van tzviller must claim them therefore of 
the Company or deduct from the horses and cows 
which he must hereafter furnish to the same, 
a goodly number of chickens and pigeons 
a half-worn wagon 
an old ditto 

two plows with their belongings 

about 15 morgens of winter seeding; also seed ordered 
and directed sown as follows : 

three morgens of oats 
one morgen of peas 
a well seeded and planted garden. 



* a die in Swaencndacl overgcschoten is. This phrase may mean either that Theunis 
willcms was engaged in excess of the nun required in Swanendael or that he survived 
the massacre, the news of the destruction of the colony having reached Holland May 24, 
1632. From the account of the destruction of Swanendael in de Vries, Korte Historiacl, 
p. 1 01, it would seem that all the colonists were killed. 

47 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, {.23b. This document is in the handwriting of Peter 
Minuit. 



224 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

For which aforesaid items the said van twill er shall pay as fol- 
lows: to the West India Company for the rent remaining unpaid 
the sum of 500 guilders; to the aforesaid Peter Minuit the sum of 
one hundred and fifty guilders;* 8 to the aforesaid Company two 
horses, two cows, three sheep, three hogs; in return for which 
aforesaid items he shall be credited with the first 100 guilders which 
Minuit has paid on the lease and shall have the food supplies for 
men and animals till next harvest, left there by Minuit, who was 
not obliged to supply them longer than till the first of May 1632, 
the said minuit to pay the wages of the farm hands till the first 
of May 1632. He, twiller, shall also have the benefit of the in- 
crease before May 1632, that is to say, what it amounts to over 
and above the loss through death of the old animals; also the im- 
provement of the garden and newly cultivated lands as well as the 
larger part of the winter seeding and all the supply of summer 
seed; also the improvement of the horses during the years as also 
that they are mares. 

The said gerret Jansen van oldenborch shall deliver to the afore- 
named Wauter van twiller for account of killiaen van Renselaer 
these following animals sold to him, upon condition that the loss 
of those which shall have died after the 14th of January 1632 shall 
be borne by the said Renselaer, who in return shall enjoy the 
growth and increase since the aforesaid 14th of January 1632, pro- 
vided he supplies them with food till July 1632 : 

two fillies born about May 1630, together f 80 

one young stallion, also born about May 1630 f 40 

two milch cows, three years old and with calf fi6o 

four heifers with calf, born in 1630 fi6o 

two bull calves, one year old in January last f 20 

three hogs, all old sows f 40 

Total fSoo 

for the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

In witness of the truth that this has been thus agreed, I, the 
underwritten, have signed this with my own hand. Done at Amb-' 
sterdam, the 20th of July 1632. 

[signed] Peter Minuit 



48 Underlined in original. 





r? 



£3' 











rt 






tJ . ^i - 






'PL,, 



5 be 

£ c ~ 



1 ^ 

Co rn 

.S o 

r- U 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 225 

Bill of sale of increase of animals on farm No. 3, on the Island of 
Manhattan, by Pieter Bijlvelt to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 49 

July 20, 1632 
I, the underwritten, Pieter pieterscn bljlevelt, hereby acknowledge 
that with the consent of the lords directors of the Chartered West 
India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, I have sold to kiliaen van 
Rensselaer the following animals, being- the increase, over and 
above the animals and implements which belong to the farm and 
which I leave there till further order, having sold only the surplus, 
to wit on farm No. 3 : 

one of the six milch cows left on said farm No. 3 the 

first of January 1632 with a calf f 80 

one of the two heifers — -born in 1630, with the calf if 

there is one, at f 40 

three bull calves born in 1631 f 30 

seven young pigs, then four months old 

four old hogs." Total for the 11 animals fioo 



In all f250 

It being well understood that with the cow a heifer calf shall be 
delivered if there is a heifer calf from the six cows, otherwise in 
its stead a bull calf; also a heifer calf if there is one from the two 
heifers, otherwise also a bull calf; also the young pigs raised from 
the 1 1 ; provided that he must feed the said cattle and hogs till 
the new planting. 

I therefore order Tennis dirxsen van vechten as farmer, or who- 
ever shall be on the said farm in his stead, to place the aforesaid 
cattle and hogs at the disposal of the said Rensselaer or his agent. 
Done at Amsterdam this 20th of July, sixteen hundred and thirty- 
two, [signed] p r . Bijlvelt t 

I, the underwritten, acknowledge that I have received from the 
hands of Kiliaen van Rensselaer the sum of 125 guilders, the re- 
maining 125 guilders to be paid as soon as I am advised that the 
above cattle and hogs have been delivered. Done as above this 
20th of July 1632. 

50 Rd at 50 st each fi25 [signed] p r . Bijlvcltt 

N. B. For the colony of Rensselaerswyck 
[Endorsed] 

1632 20 July 

P r : Bijlevelt £125 

49 V. R. B. Mss 5; in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. Also in Letter 
Book, {.24. 



226 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Bijlvelt for 
increase of animals on farm No. 3 50 

July 20, 1632 

Receipts for payment on same 

February 24, 1634 

I, the underwritten, promise hereby to pay to pietter Bijlevelt 
the sum of 125 guilders, being the balance on account of the cattle 
sold to me, as soon as he shall receive tidings that the same have 
been delivered to me or my agent in New Netherland. 

one milch cow with a heifer calf 

one heifer with a heifer calf 

three bull calves born in 163 1 

seven young pigs, four months old in January 1632 

four old hogs 
On which items I have paid him 125 guilders; the remaining fi25 
I am to pay as stated above. Done at Amsterdam this 20th of 
July, sixteen hundred thirty-two. 

[signed] Kiliaen van Rensselaer 

N. B. that Cornelius van Voorst has caused a cow to be taken 
from the farm of bijlevelt, pretending to have bought the same, 
though bylcvelt on the contrary declares that he has sold none to 
him or to Mr paauw. 

I, the underwritten, acknowledge that I have received from the 
hands of kiliaen van Rensselaer in satisfaction of the above account 
the sum of 45 guilders, the sum of 80 guilders having been de- 
ducted for a cow which Cornells van Voorst in the name of Mr 
Michiel paauiv has taken. This cow I have sold to the said 
renselaer and promise to deliver according to the above contract 
of sale. In testimony of the truth I have signed this in Amsterdam 
this 24th of February 1634. 

[signed] p r Bijlvelt 

18 rix-dollars a 50 st — f45 — 
[Endorsed] 

1634 24 February 

P\ Bijlevelt . . f45 

Received from the hands of Kiliaen van Renselaer the sum of 
80 guilders, to wit, 45 guilders on a promissory note for 125 guil- 

00 V. R. B. Mss 7. In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 





mi 



Mia 

f * vs j^ ^ JV; 44 ' 



E-=^ 



£fo 



J 3 * is IT** 

311 

if 1 



rt 




- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 227 

ders-due for cattle sold to the said Renselaer to be delivered in 
New Netherland and also 35 guilders on a note for 125 guilders on 
account of my farm with the cattle and implements also sold to 
him, everything according to the contract and the aforesaid prom 
issory note. In testimony of the truth I have signed this our writ- 
ing on the 24th of February 1634 in Amsterdam with my own hand. 

[signed] p 1 '. Bijlveltt 
[Endorsed] 

1634 24 Feb. 

P>. Bylevelt . . f8o 

Bill of sale of animals and implements on farm No. 3, on 
the island of Manhattan, by Pieter Bijlvelt to Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer 51 

July 20, 1632 

I, the underwritten, acknowledge hereby that I have sold and 
transferred to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, who acknowledges that he 
has bought and taken them over, the following animals, implements 
and other articles belonging to me and at present in New Nether- 
land, on farm No. 3 last occupied by me, and this after previous 
offer of sale as well to the directors of the Company as to the 
secretary Jehan ran Rem and; neither the Company nor renutiid 
being willing to accept the same, the said directors have granted 
me permission to sell the same and accordingly I have sold to the 
said rcnsselacr the following items according to the inventory of 
my possessions taken by the council on the first of January last, 
the decrease or increase, losses by death and increase of calves, 
colts, pigs and other animals to be to the profit or loss of the afore- 
said rensselaer: 

two old mares bearing colts 

one young ditto, two years old 

five milch cows of the original six, all believed to be with calf 

one of the two heifers born 1630 

one heifer calf of 1631 

six sheep 

six hogs 

Of these bylevelt has received from the Company only four 
sheep and no hogs, which the Company must make good 

a large number of chickens 

61 V. R. B. Mss 5. In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



228 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

a new wagon, the wheels having iron tires 

three plows with accessories 

the crop of seven morgens of winter seeding, as well as all 
provision of summer seed which he has left, namely oats, 
barley and gray peas with the crops thereof 

the well seeded and planted garden 

also cost and wages of his workmen till May 1632, which 
audries hudden has undertaken to furnish for the milk and 
butter which he is to have 

also forage for the stock till the next planting 

a barrack 52 with seed estimated by the council at 90 schepels, 
both rye and wheat, which belong to him and on which he 
owes the Company 100 guilders due May 1632, which Rens- 
selaer agrees to pay 

also the oats, peas and barley which may be left shall belong 
to renseler, in return for which he agrees to pay 400 guilders 
to the Company for the remaining four terms 

also two horses and two cows to be delivered to the Company 
according to the contract 

In addition he is to pay to me, Pietcr bijlevelt, for the fulfilment 
of all the foregoing the sum of 150 guilders, to wit, 50 guilders now 
and the remaining 100 guilders at the first notice that the goods 
have been delivered to him. 

Done at Amsterdam this 20th of July 1632. 

[signed] Pieter Bijlveltt 

Promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Bijlvelt for 
animals and implements on farm No. 3 s3 

July 2j, 1632 

Receipts for payments of same 

November 11, 1632 
February 24, 1634 

I, the underwritten, hereby acknowledge that I owe Pieter Bij- 
levelt the sum of 150 guilders, the balance on his cattle and im- 
plements (which he has in New Netherland) taken over from him 
according to the contract made with Wouter van Twillcr, which 



62 Berch. 

» V. R- B. Mss 6. In the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 22Q 

aforesaid sum of fi5o I am to pay him on the first notice of the 
delivery of the said cattle and implements. In testimony of the 
truth, I have signed this in Amsterdam this 27th 54 of July sixteen 
hundred thirty-two. 

[signed] Kiliacn van Rensselaer 

This nth of November 1632 received hereupon from the hands 
of Kiliacn van Rensselaer the sum of 65 guilders, leaving there- 
fore a balance of 85 guilders. 

According to the decision of the council of New Netherland of 
the 18th of July 1633, Rensselaer must deduct from the account of 
Bijlcveldt the sum of 50 guilders, whereof the said bij level t may 
demand an explanation showing the reason why this is done. 

Done at Amsterdam this 24th of February 1634. 

I, the underwritten, acknowledge having received from Kiliacn 
van Rensselaer in satisfaction of this account the sum of 35 guil- 
ders with the reservation that, if it should prove later that the 
action of the said council in regard to the 50 guilders, either en- 
tirely or in part, had been taken unjustly, the said Rensselaer, 
according to his agreement in regard thereto, shall make good and 
pay me the same. In testimony of the truth I have signed this in 
Amsterdam this 29th 55 of February 1634. 

[signed] p r . Bijlvcltt 

14 rix-dollars at 50 st £35 
[Endorsed] 

1632 n November 

P r : Bijlcvelt £65 

1634 

24 Feb. to ditto £35 . . f35 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 56 

July 2J, 1632 

Wouttcr Van Twiller, at the Texel 

In Amsterdam, this 27th of July 

Mon Cousin: Yesterday, on account of the lack of time, I sent 
jan pcclcn with hendrick Schacf' to get a copy of your contract. 
They saw Lybcrgcn™ who told them that he would bring it today 



54 Possibly an error for the 20th of July 1632. 

r5 Apparently a mistake for the 24th of February 1634. 

M V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.24b. 

67 A notary public at Amsterdam; see Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 2:189. 

68 Either Daniel or Arnoult van Liebergen, both directors of the West India Company. 



23O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

before the meeting as there was no opportunity yesterday. Secre- 
tary Remundt told me that he would leave this afternoon; lie is 
now summoned to leave here this morning as the wind is easterly ; 
you will therefore have to insist that those who are at the Texel 
sign your honor's contract. At the same time I shall insist here, 
even after your honor's departure, unless the commissioners at 
the Texel shall have signed it, of which you must advise me. 
Herewith goes the contract of sale of the animals, tools and other 
things of farm No. 1, entered into with the former director 
Minuit, attested by his signature, by which you can see what be- 
longs to the farm and what the surplus is which he has sold to 
me. The fi50 I shall pay him for your honor; place this to my 
credit and with it purchase for me some more animals in New 
Netherland. I presume that wolphert and others will be quite 
willing to sell, as so many of the people leave. 

N. B. He has told me that he recommended to your honor for 
your own use. the young stallion sold to me; if your honor should 
like that horse or anything else that is included in my purchase, 
you are free to take it. If you keep the stallion, you may give me 
in return for it as well as for the fi5o as many of your young colts 
and calves as you think proper. 

n. b. Contract I send also the contract concerning the surplus 
Pietlr Ml animals bought of Pieter Bylevelt; and as to the 

bijieveit™ aniuwls and tools belonging to his farm, I have 

bought most of them from him also. But on account of the hasty 
departure of the secretary, I can not send your honor the document 
inasmuch as he, bylevelt, will not be here till an hour from now to 
close the matter finally. In the meantime, consider them as sold. 
I send herewith the inventory of all his animals and implements; 
the terms arc that he pay the first fioo to the Company to which he 
must sell; that for the second fioo he surrender [his claim to] go 
schepels of rye and wheat which are due to him ; ,iu the remaining 
f /oo the purchaser must pay to the Company, also deliver to the 
Company two horses and two cows. He must supply them with 
fodder till the next harvest, also pay the wages of the men till May 
1632, which lie says andries hudde has agreed to do in return for 
the milk and butter of the cattle. He cedes further a wagon and 
plows as well as the winter grain and the supply left there for sum- 



59 Marginal note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

80 tegen dc tweede fioo heeft hy Ic goede 90 schcpcl roggc ah terrewe dot hy doer 
voor ovcrgeeft. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 23I 

mer grain, provided I pay him in hand fijO. I have offered him 
fioo and a small diamond, so that it is pretty nearly settled. I 
shall still send yon the deed if I have time. 61 Your honor must 
take out of his animals first those which he has sold to me ; the other 
terms I am content to leave to nootelman, provided he gives me for 
the t'150 which I must give in addition young or other animals. 
There are six milch cows ; I have bought one, so that he can prob- 
ably spare two cows and some calves. The two old mares will 
also have colts of which he can probably spare one also. The hogs 
and sheep the Company has furnished. 62 These animals nootelman 
can use on the farm of Gerrit de Reus, which he now occupies. 
N. B. If nootelman has driven my horses so hard that they have 
lost their colts, he must furnish me others in their stead there. 
He has 15 morgens of winter seed, so that he is already supplied 
and this he has cultivated with my horses. And as to the right 
which the Company might claim to the seeding of the farm of 
Byleveldt, to that N. B. bylevelt says that the directors have ejected 
him therefrom and that it is not his fault that the farm must lie 
idle, as he has not been able to leave it to anybody and as he offered 
it to Secretary Remundt who would not accept it, so that he has 
obtained permission to sell the cattle. There would also be little 
objection to paying the Company for its right as aside from the 
summer seed there are [but] seven morgens on the farm that have 
been seeded, of which the Company must have every sixth sheaf 
and counting this for the four years which his lease lasts, the Com- 
pany would in all have a right to 4/6® [of the crop] so that there 
would remain still 2/6 over and above the right of the- Company 
even if the land remained idle. Meanwhile the land will fallow and 
recover and before the four years are past the calves will be cows 
and the colts, horses. Other farms could be treated in the same 
way, and if the secretary were [not] provided with a farm, he must 
have the preference as I promised him, and you may undertake to 
deal with others in a similar manner and leave to nootelman the 
animals of bylevelt as said above. You can see by this what ad- 
vantage you have in taking over the farm and animals of Minuijt 
on which offhand over 100 pounds Flemish is made and in case 
nootelman is supplied, as wulfert gerritsen had offered to sell him 
four cows and two horses, keep the animals and farm of bylevelt 
for me and do with the grain as stated above, to wit, deliver to the 

" This italicized section underlined in the Letter Book. 

02 heeft de Comp. presteert. 

63 This italicized section underlined in the Letter Book. 



232 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Company the 4/6 for the remaining four years and take his men or 
other suitable people whose time is up and at the first opportunity 
during the winter cause a house to he erected in Rensselaerswyck, 
either near Roelof janscn or at the mill creek, C4 with a view to send- 
ing the people and animals and tools up the river as soon as the 
water is open. In the meantime they might stay the winter over on 
the farm of bylevelt which will already he sown with winter seed, 
which is well, and cost only the wages of the men, the animals being 
with young also. This would then be my fifth farm, which I com- 
mend to your utmost care as by so doing the number of my men will 
increase and gradually come to the 50 souls. 

The same scheme 65 could be used with regard to the wheel- 
wright," 6 whom I hear the directors summon home and who has 
many animals. And even if the secretary should wish this farm, 
his profit shall largely consist in that he leaves me the old horses and 
cows, for which I would then have to pay him, and the young colts 
and calves he can easily have taken care of. They will be fit to use 
in two years and I would consent to have them brought to and 
taken care of at Rensselaerswyck under contract; meanwhile the 
exhausted land will recover and thereafter with the same labor pro- 
duce the double crop. The right of the Company can be paid for 
the remaining years of the lease all at one time out of the seeded 
land, to wit, 3/6 [of the crop], leaving still 3/6 for his supply of 
seed, which he will cause to be sown in the fall either by the wheel- 
wright or by others of his condition. This is my proposition. 

N. B. Before this zvas finished, Bylvelt came, whose animals and 
tools and other property I have bought, everything conformable to the 
contract made with him which I send enclosed herein, and after 
thinking it over properly, I think it advisable not to leave these to 
notehnan but to keep them for myself and establish a fifth farm 
with them as stated above. Bylevelt says that his foreman is ac- 
tive and intelligent and well suited for the management of a farm; 
you may therefore engage him or some one else with a laborer and 
a boy or, if need be, a black, and meanwhile cause a house to be 
erected at Rensselaerswyck to be occupied in the spring. You must 
notify the officer, Rutger hendri.rsen, hereof so that he and my other 
men take this in hand. As to nootchnan, let him deal with wolphert, 
who has offered him four cows and two horses, and to my mind his 



04 meulckil; the Normans Kill. 
e5 strecck; literally, trick. 
00 Clacs Cornelisz, see p. 206. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 233 

office frill give him enough to do. However, accommodate him, as 
well as the secretary, as much as possible. It were better for the Com- 
pany as well as for the farmers if they let the exhausted land lie 
fallow for a while and only seeded one half ; they would get better 
crops than now and that with half the labor and half the number of 
animals. This by way of advice and all at your discretion and for 
my best interests, laying especial stress on the fact that if I can not 
get animals, I shall not be able to send over 50 persons and that 
then certain partial people would soon call for action. I have al- 
ways understood from Minuyt that in that country at the Manehates 
there is an English runaway boy named Rutger Moris, who is a 
drummer and understands tobacco planting, and on the chance that 
Maryn can learn something from him, you might send the boy some 
day to Fort Orange ; he has planted and cured at least 80 lb for 
minuijt, which proceeded from 300 plants, and as my eye is mainly 
fixed on tobacco planting by which I can support many people, and 
as every morgen of land needs not less than five or six men to do 
well and will produce some 6000 lb, I would get the start of all 
the English in Virginia and the French on CHstoffel, 61 by reason of 
the extreme duties and returns to be paid to the king and the officers. 
There are, according to what I hear, about 4000 people in Virginia 
who live mostly by tobacco. 

Minuijt has also told me that he has sown tobacco seed in the fall 
and covered the same during the winter with horse manure against 
the frost and snow and has kept the same over and transplanted it 
in the spring, of which excellent tobacco came, and as you well know 
N. b. Omit not to advise that all winter seeds or crops are better than 

Maryn of this or to ,. , , . 111 • „„ 

mention it to him by the summer crops, this would be a new mven- 
word of mouth, as i have tion which in my opinion would surpass all 
*Jt Etv^d the others. He found it out accidentally the first 
support hundreds of people; time and thereafter thought it a good plan. 

then the farms would do , , , . . 1 , 11 

welL If Maryn should in any wise have trouble 

with his tobacco, do not neglect to send him the English boy to 
show him the way of preparing and curing it and tell him the ex- 
perience of Minuijt of sowing the tobacco in the fall toward winter 
so that it can come up and then covering it with some manure or 
other warm stuff, such as hay or straw, whereby it will be pro- 
tected and in the spring come up earlier and better than otherwise, 
which is a good scheme in cold countries. 



St Christopher, an island in the West Indies. 



234 NEw YORK STATE LIBRARY 

The knife merchant was here today; he has not given long credit. 
I shall pay him the £1630:19 which are due him according to your 
bill. 

And herewith ending, I commend you to the gracious protection 
of Almighty God, who grant you a speedy voyage and good success 
and proper respect in the execution of your office, for which we 
must constantly pray and invoke Him. I recommend to your honor 
above all things to keep the fear of the Lord before your eyes ; by 
performing the service of your masters in accordance therewith, 
you will without doubt obtain His blessing. Please to accept our 
common greetings; our young Jcremias is in great peril of dying, 
having severe convulsions. Vale. 

Pieter Bijlvelt to the copartners of Rensselaerswyck' 8 

[1632 f] 

Gentlemen : I have no doubt but your honors still remember the 
request which I have made several times before to the honorable 
gentlemen individually and I hereby earnestly pray your honors to 
let me serve your honors properly and satisfactorily, as your sup- 
pliant for a considerable number of years has filled the office of 
commis of the honorable directors of the West India Company, had 
the management of the furs and merchandise, rendered proper ac- 
counts of the same and also kept the account of the men, both the 
salaried employees and the free colonists, etc. 

Your suppliant prays therefore as above that the honorable pa- 
troons will be pleased to employ him as commis of the fur trade, of 
which your suppliant by each ship that arrives will send to the 
aforesaid honorable gentlemen strict accounts together with 
the bartered skins ; for such commission as the honorable pa- 
troons may be pleased to give me on the skins so bartered ; also of 
the trade in merchandise promising to render accounts and vouchers 
to the satisfaction of the aforesaid gentlemen, for which the hon- 
orable gentlemen will please to grant the suppliant one stiver on 
every guilder as commission on the goods sold, the same as the com- 
missioners of New Netherland have paid their agents ; also for the 
management of the sales of the provisions with what belongs there- 
to, and for this also one stiver on every guilder as above; also to 
keep the account of the men, both free colonists and salaried per- 
sons, for whatever the honorable gentlemen may please to allow the 
suppliant for that. Etc. 

I signed] pieter Bijlveltt 



V. R. B. Mss 4- 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 235 

Memorial presented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Assembly 
of the Nineteen of the West India Company 111 ' 

November 25, jojj 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Presented to the Assembly of the XIX of the Chartered West India 
Company, the 25th of November 1633, m Amsterdam 

Noble, Honorable, Wise, Prudent and Very Discreet Gentlemen : 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in the capacity of patroon of his respective 
colonies situated within the jurisdiction of New Netherland, shows 
with all due reverence how he, the remonstrant, formerly di- 
rector of said Company and commissioner of the aforesaid regions, 
found the affairs of New Netherland in the beginning' of his ad- 
ministration, namely, that sundry colonists, as early as 1623, had 
been conveyed thither with instructions to dwell there as free per- 
sons and to carry on trade, principally in the furs abounding in that 
country. And considering that if this trade should be free to all 
without restriction, the fur-bearing animals would be too much 
hunted and the furs would be sold here below their value, to both 
the damage and the loss of the Company, which had as yet no other 
source of income from those regions to meet the expenses connected 
therewith, he therefore so influenced his fellow commissioners that 
they deemed it advisable to curtail this trade somewhat for a time ; 
in the meanwhile planning how the Company, according to the char- 
ter, might settle the said regions at the least expense and with the 
greatest benefit to the country, considering that the same is a salu- 
brious and fertile land, situated from about 38 to 48 north lati- 
tude, being provided with an extraordinarily fine climate and many 
beautiful, deep rivers, embracing within its limits more land and 
coast, sea and river 'than all the seventeen provinces of the Nether- 
lands, from all of which, in time, much good may result to the Com- 
pany; being, moreover, an excellent rendezvous for all ships, which 
can arrive there in 14 days from the West Indies, and being also 
well adapted for raising all kinds of grain and animals which could 
thence be sent here or at least within other limits of the charter, as 
Cape Verde, Guinea and Brazil. Following this, it was found good, 
with the advice of the Assembly of the Nineteen, to send a large 
number of farmers, animals, horses, cows, sheep and other neces- 

09 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.4i-53b. Printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 
8:55-69, as Appendix A to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



236 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

saries, in order thus to relieve the Company of the heavy expense of 
transporting all sorts of provisions needed by the people in that 
land. This intention was diametrically opposed to the views of 
those who had no other aim than to send their ships from here to 
trade in the aforesaid places, notwithstanding that it was clearly 
pointed out to them that such trading could bring no profit to the 
Company but rather decided damage and continual loss, since the 
amount of furs coining thence — seeing that the trading places are 
so distant from each other — could bear no heavy outlay ; besides, 
that other nations of adjoining regions, when our ships should be 
away from there, would immediately seize and occupy these and 
keep us out, as they now do in Virginia, Canada, New England and 
elsewhere. 

Now when the aforesaid farmers and animals had been sent 
thither and when, as is generally the case with new undertakings, 
everything did not succeed at first as might be wished, certainly not 
nearly so well but that the contrary minded could find occasion for 
fault-finding, the Company proceeded after this fashion : on the one 
hand, since there were now farmers and animals, they decided that 
little or no provisions ought to be sent, not considering that it takes 
time to clear the land before it can be plowed or cultivated and that 
in the beginning several horses and cows perished which they would 
not replace, whereby the people were forced to take the merchandise 
and trade it for provisions, thus damaging the Company to an in- 
credible number of thousands ; on the other hand, instead of an or- 
dinary freighter 70 of large hold which would need to sail only once 
a year, they have sent usually two, three and more small vessels, so 
overloaded with skippers, officers, provisions and ammunition that 
the three together could not take in half as much for the country as 
the larger alone [while the latter would not have] cost [much more] 
than each of the small vessels in view of the fact that usually many 
people sail back and forth who could man the large ship but would 
overload the small ones, which error has cost the Company no less 
than the other. 

By these means and many others, too long to be here related, the 
condition of New Netherland continuously deteriorating, all the 
blame was laid mainly to the account of those who favored the colo- 
nization, and especially to the commissioners for that region, who to 
clear themselves asserted that they were willing to undertake the 
colonization at their own expense and without cost to the Company, 



70 een ordinaris veerman. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 237 

if the Company would only favor the matter a little and render 
some assistance, and that they would make no objection and would 
be satisfied if all participants should be thereunto invited and pub- 
lic freedoms and exemptions framed concerning it. This proposi- 
tion, though as just as anything in the world can be, nevertheless met 
with great difficulty before it could be brought about. The con- 
trary minded, seeing that they could no longer prevent it directly, be- 
gan indirectly under pretext of economy to curtail these freedoms, 
finding no other way than to exclude the fur trade, which had for- 
merly been granted to others who had been sent there and were 
supported by the Company, asserting that this colonization had no 
other intent than to lay the expenses to the Company's charge and to 
take the trade in furs away from it, which was pure calumny, as the 
following will clearly show, since several of the Colonies were regis- 
tered before the Freedoms were extended to include the fur trade. 
And now when the contrary minded could no longer prevent action, 
some of the Freedoms and Exemptions were finally passed by the 
Assembly of the Nineteen, March 10, 1628, with the exclusion of the 
fur trade however, which was the only objection of the opponents 
and amounts to little, as will later appear. That the Freedoms 
were too much limited and the patroons too much restricted caused 
great discontent among the chief participants, and on February 1, 
1629, this grievance was publicly stated (not by him, the remon- 
strant, who was director elected by the chief participants, but by Mr 
Charles Looten and others), and request made that a committee be 
appointed to amend the Freedoms which had been granted, who, 
being nominated the third of the same month, took the matter up 
and drafted several articles, which, however, through his refusal [to 
serve on the committee] because he was himself in favor of the colo- 
nization, were never communicated to him, the remonstrant ; and in 
order to give no one any cause for reproach, although at liberty to 
do so, he would accept no appointment, either from the directors or 
from the chief participants, to investigate this matter and also re- 
fused to be present at such investigations even when the Assembly 
of the Nineteen by resolution of October 25, 1628, thereto invited 
him and opened the door, but charged his associate 71 with the direc- 
tion thereof without communicating with him, which he is obliged to 
add here, since the chief participants have been made to believe, in 
order to vilify him, that he, the remonstrant, is the greatest cause 
thereof (although the very opposite is manifest and, even if it were 

T » Assessor, 



238 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

true, it would be no disgrace to him but praiseworthy). Hereupon 
it happened that the delegates of the chief participants setting out 
the 2 1st of February following and presenting themselves in person 
in competent numbers before the Assembly of the Nineteen, requested 
that the Assembly would make an agreement with them, since they 
intended to organize colonies and were not satisfied with the former 
Freedoms. (Alas, how have these men now changed !) And doing 
all they could, they were unable to bring the matter to a conclusion 
in the Assembly, since the contrary minded (with whom they are 
now on such good terms as the following will prove) opposed them, 
yet they accomplished this much that the Assembly of the Nineteen 
saw fit on the 26th of the same month to pass a resolution making 
the propositions of the chief participants a subject for discussion at 
the next meeting and to this end ordering the points of difference 
to be set forth and sent to the Chambers ; whereupon it followed 
that the leading Chamber of Amsterdam issued a call for a meeting 
on April 18/ 1629, article 2 of which reads as follows: "To recon- 
sider all the former articles, freedoms and exemptions granted the 
respective colonies in several former meetings and the matters con- 
nected therewith, and to deliberate whether the same might be am- 
plified by the accompanying articles requested by several influential 
participants and amended as the occasion requires." To consider 
which articles, a committee was appointed the 29th of May follow- 
ing, who after many long debates finally decided the matter and pre- 
sented the amendments to the Assembly, who read them several 
times, voted upon diem and finally approved them in full, June 7, 
1629, as they stand recorded in the Resolution Book and were after- 
wards issued in public print; and these have never been revoked or 
retracted. 

Hereupon several registrations were immediately made, and the 
work was undertaken with great courage by many. However, it 
did not last long for the opponents rested not but watched all trans- 
actions sharply, finding a pretext in that the late Mr Samuel Godijn, 
some time before, viz in December 1628, sent two persons thither 
with the consent of the Chamber of Amsterdam and knowledge of 
the chief participants, according to the report of February 1, 1629, 
provide'd with merchandise, to buy and pay for the places indicated 
to them, with further consent that he might exchange his remaining 
merchandise for furs, but must consult with the Company in regard 
to this matter, since at the time of sending his people tin- Freedoms 
had not been extended to the fur trade, all done in conformity 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 239 

with the letter of December i628, 71a addressed to the director 
of- New Netherland. These persons on returning home re- 
ported with joy that, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants, 
though in spite of the opponents, they had purchased, paid for and 
obtained title to the land ; that, furthermore, they had exchanged 
the remaining merchandise for furs and sent these with bill of lading 
and with knowledge of the director to their patroon. The returns 
of the sale of these furs, amounting to about f 5,600 (from which 
must be deducted the merchandise given in exchange, the interest, 
the insurance, the expenses, the freight and the duty to the Com- 
pany), were so magnified by the contrary minded, who had their 
supporters as well among the directors as among the chief partici- 
pants, that [it seemed that] two individuals with but a small quan- 
tity of merchandise had purchased a large quantity of land and had 
besides obtained immense returns, from which these opponents took 
occasion to proclaim that the patroons were not contemplating colo- 
nization at all, but only the securing to themselves of the fur trade 
and depriving the Company of the same, which would be total ruin 
to the Company as regards [profit from] these regions, not knowing 
or else intentionally ignoring that the expenses of the late Mr Godijv. 
would first come in when he should be obliged to send with his own 
ships at his own expense so many people, animals, provisions and 
other necessaries, that these f5,6oo would not even enter into con- 
sideration; yet by their calumnies they brought it about that they 
found many sympathizers who gave credence to the same. Thus 
they injured Mr Godijii exceedingly, withholding from him to this 
day the aforesaid f 5,600 (which he must yet seek to obtain by suit), 
furthermore constraining him to dismiss the people whom he had 
undertaken to convey thither and surrender them to the Company, 
also to part with his merchandise and provisions which he had 
brought together with difficulty and put the same in the hands of the 
Company. They did not stop even here but sought to make the re- 
monstrant also odious (although he, as above stated, had acted so 
impartially in the matter), asserting that he and the other patroons 
had taken possession of the best places and that those who followed 
would come too late, though the contrary is true since not a hun- 
dredth part of the land has as yet been trodden by Christian foot, and 
daily and even by the latest letters new places, far excelling the first, 
are revealed, where there is room enough for directors, chief and 
lesser participants and all the inhabitants of these lands, J3y these 



™> Day of the month left blank in the Lett,-, 



24O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

means, however, in addition to the former slanders of the late 
Godijn, they brought it about that several chief participants, yes, 
even some of those who had so fervently supported the affair, now 
became prejudiced and opposed to it, siding with the contrary 
minded, who, being- now strengthened, sought means to insult the re- 
monstrant publicly at the meeting of the chief participants, inso- 
much that five or six of them came together two hours before the 
meeting in order to devise some way of accomplishing their ends in 
the meeting, which they would also have, carried through had not 
the remonstrant been warned of it and been on his guard, refuting 
with sound arguments their slanders which, with your- permission, 
they spit out (of which they may well be ashamed), charging that 
he and the other commissioners of New Netherland, who were pa- 
troons, had damaged the land by some hundred thousands for the 
sake of their own designs (of which damage not they, but the con- 
trary minded are the cause, as has already been mentioned). They 
proceeded with such bitter injuries against others who had also 
registered colonies, that they thereby intimidated several, who were 
obliged to abandon the work already begun because others who 
shared therein declined to go on. And thus was undermined the 
necessary, laudable and good work which had been undertaken with 
such exertion and had taken so many years and had been discussed 
at so many meetings of the Nineteen and examined by all the Cham- 
bers, in and before its beginning, by so little an occasion as the re- 
turn of the f5,6oo, concerning which of a truth it may be said, that 
instead of shearing the sheep when they had wool, they were skinned 
at birth when they had no wool, and all this under the pretext that 
the patroons had no other design than to deprive the Company of the 
fur trade and charge the expenses to them, as has been heretofore 
mentioned. 

In order now to prove what a shameful slander this is, and on the 
contrary to show the diligence in the matter of colonizing the afore- 
said region of the late Godijn aforesaid in his own colony, in which 
the remonstrant shared and was included, and also what the re- 
monstrant himself has accomplished in his colony and what ex- 
penditures they together have made in face of the opposition they 
received, the following brief statement is given. In December 1630 
they equipped a ship of about 150 lasts, named de Walvis, ballasting 
it with all kinds of materials, such as lime, brick and tiles, also put- 
ting on board four large horses, twelve cows with calf, also several 
boats for whaling, all kinds of ammunition, provisions and merchan* 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 24I 

dise, and over 80 persons, costing all together, including the yacht 
de Salrn, of which mention will hereafter be made, over 50,000 guil- 
ders, which indeed, is ten times more than the f5,6oo which in the be- 
ginning they received for their returns, upon which all their calum- 
nies were founded. With this ship and people, they, the remon- 
strants, took possession of, settled and peopled the fertile and well 
wooded island of Tortuga, located on the northwestern side of His- 
panola, placing thereon over 25 able-bodied men, well fitted out, 
besides the people 72 of the Frenchman Franco ys Roulant, and sev- 
eral negroes, supplied with provisions, arms, ammunition and other 
necessaries, besides proper instructions, all in accordance with the 
consent of the Chamber of Amsterdam, of date August 28, 1630, 
which was given for one "oyage only. And although the remon- 
strants would afterwards in accordance with their request of March 
15, 1632, very gladly have assisted and continued the work or con- 
sented that the Company should do so itself, they could by resolution 
of the 25th of the same month obtain no other action than that the 
said [second] voyage was refused them notwithstanding the Com- 
pany did not undertake it, and so this beautiful island fell into the 
hands of the English losing all that had been expended on it, scat- 
tering half the people and causing the rest to perish, for which dam- 
age they will seek redress at the proper time. 

With this aforesaid ship de Walvis, they also in 163 1 took pos- 
session of the bay of the South River in New Netherland, occupy- 
ing the place of their colony with 28 persons engaged in whaling and 
farming, and made suitable fortifications, so that in July of the same 
year their cows calved and their lands were seeded and covered with 
a fine crop, until finally by the error of their comutis all the people 
and the animals were lamentably killed, whereby they suffered incal- 
culable damage, which damage the remonstrants attempted to repair 
in the year 1632 with the former ship den Walvis and besought the 
Company to lend a helping hand, who neither by word nor deed 
would render any assistance but forbade them by resolution of 
April 26, 1632, to take with them more than 300 guilders worth of 
merchandise, for which they obtained about 200 beaver and otter 
skins, while they would have obtained much more from nations who 



vHaddc oock mode eenigh Volck om te scltcn acn 't Eylandt van Tortugos »n West- 
Indien/daer wy met sestigh Francen ghecontracktecrt hadden/hct solve Eylandt voor 
o„s tc houden ah ecu Colonic ondcr de II. M. H. Staten ende West-Indische Com- 
pagnie. We also had on board some people to land at the island of Tortuga in the 
West Indies, having contracted with sixty Frenchmen to hold the said island for us 
as a colony under the High and Mighty Lords the States General and the West India 
Company, De Vries, Korte Historiael, p. 95- 



242 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

had never traded with the Company if they had had more merchan- 
dise, from which the Company would have realized the duty of one 
guilder per skin, which [profits] both now lose. And the most in- 
tolerable of all is, that after the remonstrants had given these 205 
skins upon their arrival into the hands of the Chamber of Amster- 
dam that it might levy its duty on the same, this Chamber threw 
them among and mingled them with its own skins and also sold 
them with its own goods, contrary to the will of the remonstrants, 
just as if all the goods of the patroons were free booty or confiscated, 
(who is so perfect, that he can bear all this wrong!), and still* they 
must hear that they intend nothing else than at small expense to de- 
prive the Company of the furs. 

Furthermore, he, the remonstrant, in December 1630 [sent] the 
yacht dc Salm, accompanied by the aforesaid ship den Walvis, to his 
granted colony, the island dn Sable, in order that this yacht, being 
supplied with people, provisions and all necessaries, might take pos- 
session of said island and settle it, since it was uninhabited and 
abandoned by the French, which yacht, to his misfortune, was cap- 
tured and brought into Dunkirk. 

What the remonstrant has further done towards the promotion 
of the population of his colony called Rensselaerswyck, on the North 
River of New Netherland, may be seen from his declaration of De- 
cember 2, 1630, submitted to the Chamber of Amsterdam, and so 
continuing from year to year, until in July 1632 he was pro- 
vided with people and animals enough to start five farms, 
which would have been done had not the Company by resolution of 
July 20, 1632, refused him carpenters, smiths and other mechanics, 
when these were not working for the Company, although he was 
willing to pay their expenses to the Company ; this is quite too par- 
tial a policy, not only hindering him in his good undertaking, but 
doing so to the damage of the Company which would otherwise have 
had the benefit of the wages, while they on the contrary, according 
to the last letter written him from there, do employ his carpenters 
and others of his people in their service. 

The Company has never attempted to make room in their ship^. 
according to the tenth article of the Freedoms, for the transporta- 
tion of animals and such like, only allowing him to place a few 
calves on the upper deck, and they were all thrown overboard in the 
encounter with the Turks. The Company also prevented him from 
conveying bis animals from the Manhattans to his colony, and most 
of them died from rough treatment and the like, which loss be also 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 243 

means to recover from die Company. It has likewise happened 
lately that the director of New Netherland has held his people idle 
for a long time at the Manhattans and would not let them travel 
farther up the river unless they took an unlawful oath, given him by 
the Chamber of Amsterdam, although these persons had already 
here taken the usual oath and had besides given bond and security 
to the satisfaction of the Assembly. 

The Company by the above resolution of July 20, 1632, also re- 
fused to give him any merchandise in that country to purchase the 
rest of his territory, notwithstanding his reasonable request, and by 
the same resolution declined to furnish his people with any provi- 
sions or victuals in exchange for grain, butter, cheese and the like 
with which they would pay, although their people would have suf- 
fered from hunger if his farmers had not supplied them with wheat 
and rye, ground in his mill (as the Company has none at that 
place) ; and what is worst of all and most to be regretted, instead of 
the servants of the Company being on good terms with the patroons 
and their servants, they on the contrary have appointed as conunis 
at Fort Orange, situated in his colony, against the wishes of the 
remonstrant, a person who has publicly slandered the Company, has 
helped those sailing into that region from other kingdoms to buy 
the smuggled furs and is disliked by the savages, who complain that 
years ago he treated them cruelly, so that they will not deal with 
him but on the contrary try to affront him, to the Company's in- 
jury, as by way of revenge they have already burned the yacht de 
Bever which was anchored there, and according to rumor (as the 
remonstrant is informed by letter) they seem to have killed all the 
remonstrant's animals, horses, cows, sheep and hogs, apparently 
also on account of the hatred they bear towards him [the conunis]. 
This person is also highly antagonistic to the remonstrant, since he 
has been told what reports of him the remonstrant made during 
his administration, although he and others to whom the administra- 
tion was committed reported nothing but the truth. What trouble 
the remonstrant has to expect from this can be easily understood, 
for either his colony will be ruined by the savages in order to af- 
front the conunis at Fort Orange or, if this does not happen through 
the savages, then the conunis himself will do his best towards it. 
So the case stands thus, that probably the whole trade of Fort 
( )range will be lost to the Company and the remonstrant's colony 
will be destroyed without hope of redress, against which the neces- 
sary precautions should be taken. 



244 NEW YORK STATIC LIBRARY 

All this strife is caused solely by the opponents of the coloniza- 
tion and of the patroons who, when the latter as a result of the 
change had retired from the administration, obtained full power to 
carry out all their plans (upsetting- the existing order of things and 
calling home all the officials, who having no other occupation will 
spy out the laud, this one on behalf of France and that one on behalf 
of England, as has already happened and as will happen again) ; 
it was even decided by resolution of March 25, 1632, with the advice 
of lawyers and counselors, despite the opposition of the patroons, 
to deprive them of the Freedoms and Exemptions which had been 
granted and given to them with so much difficulty by the Assembly 
of the Nineteen. 

Now the main cause of all these differences is nothing but the 
trade in furs or peltries found in that country and the question by 
whom it shall be conducted. The contrary minded maintain that 
it will be most profitable for the Company to have only the directors 
of the Company trade in furs, excluding all patroons, colonists and 
others. The patroons, on the other hand, maintain that this trade 
can be carried on, not [only] without loss to the Company, [but] in 
all cases, with less expense and more profit to the Company, by their 
servants than by those of the Company, and that they can make a 
profit and pay duty to the Company where the Company must suffer 
loss. As to the first alternative, instead of this course being the 
most profitable for the Company, it is really true that it will bring 
not profit but loss, considering that out of all New Netherland only 
60,000 or 70,000 guil tiers at the most can be obtained in returns, 
which by their methods will not be increased but diminished, as will 
be further shown. In order to get these 60,000 or 70,000 guilders, 
it is necessary that at least once a year a well equipped vessel be 
sent thither, supplied with merchandise for trading, especially if the 
colonies were gone, since then the provisions for the employees in 
that country must be sent along from here. Hereto must be added 
that in case the vessel should perish, not only would all the trade for 
that year be lost but their people in that country would be in great 
danger of famine, and besides, that to suspend business even for one 
year would diminish the fur trade and perhaps divert it entirely. 
Moreover the fur trade in New Netherland is carried on, not in one 
place (as on the river of Canada), but what is much more costly, in 
many places, and these not only many convenient but also many in- 
convenient places far distant from each other, as the bay of the 
South River, 30 leagues from the Manhatans, not up the river, but 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 245 

from bay to bay over the open sea. The Sankekans, a trading post 
on the South River, is in addition to the aforesaid 30 leagues, 35 
leagues farther up the river, making 65 leagues from the aforesaid 
Manhatans. Up the North River to Fort Orange is quite 40 leagues. 
To the north, up to the Sloeps-baye 72si is also fully 40 leagues, 
so that the distance for a single trip would be about 175 leagues 
going and as much returning, making 350 leagues for an entire jour- 
ney. Besides this, the furs are not all to be found at these places 
but are scattered about among many rivers and brooks, which must 
be sailed up and down, sometimes 10 or 20 leagues, and the savages 
are at enmity with each other almost everywhere and do not allow 
each other to pass to and fro. Moreover, since it sometimes freezes 
three or four months continuously in that country, the rivers are 
closed, not only by storm and wind but also by ice, and all the trad- 
ing posts are cut off from the Manhattans, the place of rendezvous. 
All this being true and perhaps unknown to many, it follows of ne- 
cessity that these places must be provided with forts, and also with 
sloops to fetch and carry goods to and fro from the places of ren- 
dezvous, or else that yachts or sloops touch at these places and do 
the trading. It must also be taken into consideration that, the best 
season of the year being the winter time when most fur-bearing ani- 
mals are caught, these yachts and sloops would have to leave their 
trading posts and go to the place of rendezvous, so that instead of 
the aforesaid distance of 350 leagues, going and coming, at least 
700 leagues would have to be covered in two journeys. And then 
there is the sailing back and forth to furnish each other with sup- 
plies and information of everything, in addition to the risk of perish- 
ing by water and, if they be not strongly enough manned, of being 
attacked on land by the savages (as they have attempted more than 
once). All this being well considered, it will be found, no matter 
how economically it may be managed, that the ship which must go 
with merchandise from the fatherland and return — not counting 
the interest, risk and ill usage — the garrison and fort at the Man- 
hatans, the garrison and fort at Fort Orange, the yachts and sloops 
for the trade on the South River and the northern regions, besides 
the sloops plying between, counting all the expenses of building, 
mounting, equipping, keeping up, manning and victualing, will cost 
so much that the aforesaid 60,000 or 70,000 guilders, which are the 
utmost to be expected thence, will come far short by many thousands ; 



'-■> Om de noort tot aen de Slocps-baye. Slocfs-baye was the Dutch name for Narra- 
gansett Bay, in Rhode Island. 



246 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

besides they must also expect and withstand general uprisings of 
the savages; all of which the remonstrant offers to prove and es- 
tablish and has often maintained for many years. But they would 
grant him no hearing and even accused him of doing it all for his 
own benefit in order to take away the trade from the Company, al- 
though he, as stated in the beginning, was the sole cause of this 
trade being restricted which formerly stood free and open. He 
argues that the nature of those regions being well examined, the 
case stands thus, that nothing can be accomplished there by poor 
people, who are like a dying plant or leaking roof, also that the rich 
and well-to-do will not go there themselves, but that a good work 
can be accomplished by the two, just as the blind can carry the crip- 
pled and the crippled can show the way to the blind, so the rich may 
stay at home and send their money thither and the poor may go and 
perform their work with the money of the rich. To this end free- 
doms and exemptions were needed in order to raise up patroons who 
should send out many laborers, as it appeared that the remonstrant 
and his associates have done, and many others would have followed 
their example had they not been treated so indiscreetly and been 
forced to suffer loss, with loss also to the Company. 

But to return to the subject, in order to dispose of the objections 
of the contrary minded who may say that much more than 60,000 or 
70,000 guilders could be gotten there annually, especially if the 
colonists who so defraud them were gone and if attention were 
devoted entirely to the benefit of the trade, it should be stated that 
the remonstrant gives much the highest figure, and that during the 
ten years that the Company has traded there, taking one year with 
another, there has never been nearly so much as this received, but 
ordinarily only 50,000 or 60,000 guilders. But instead of this being 
the fault of the colonists, the contrary appears ; for instance during 
the two years when the late Mr Godijn and his people were trading 
in Swanendael, the Company received from the South River through 
their servants a no less quantity of skins than in former or later 
years, but he obtained his furs in addition to these by bartering with 
other tribes. This caused so much jealousy that the Company or- 
dered their director to send a conimis there, which was done [with 
the result that the Company's servants], trading close by the people 
of Godijn, deprived him in one year of over 500 skins in Swanendael 
alone, for which the Company is justly bound to pay, since they had 
never obtained more than 20 to 30 skins a year in that region before 
this colony was started. It is maintained with insufferable imperti- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 247 

nence that the Company has excluded all but themselves, not only 
from the fur trade, but even from the whale fishery, etc., just as if 
their High Mightinesses, having granted the Company the Guinea 
trade to the exclusion of all others, had not shut out themselves, 
but were alone allowed to send merchandise and to trade for gold 
through one or two commisen, while the Company was obliged to 
pay for all the other expenses of forts and fitting out of ships. It 
is evident that many wish the patroons to found colonies to their 
own loss, and then to have [the Company] send a commis or " assist- 
ant," who under their sheltering wings and protection may buy in 
the furs at small cost and deprive the patroons of them, notwith- 
standing the fact that all the game and the free right of hunting 
within their territory has been granted to the patroons by the 23d 73 
article of the Freedoms. 

It is further to be considered that the Company, to protect them 
against attacks of the savages, must keep their forts, yachts, and 
sloops manned by man}- idle people, who must cost much more than 
the people of the patroons, since they send not idlers but laborers 
who in some degree must earn their bread and need but one commis 
and " assistant " to do all the business for which the Company needs 
at least 25 persons ; besides, the servants of the Company, serving 
for hire, are only seeking to make a good deal of money and then 
get away ; they will not trouble themselves to make perilous jour- 
neys inland, because their pay goes on just the same. The patroons' 
people, on the contrary, having families of women and children, 
who after some time will become established there, try to make terms 
with the savages and, pushing far inland for their own profit, dis- 
cover much more than do those who only lie in garrison. • So that 
it is far more profitable for the Company to have no expenses, turn 
over the trade to the patroons and draw a clear profit than to deprive 
the patroons of their privileges and on the other hand encumber 
themselves with the maintenance of forts, sloops, yachts and people, 
the which expenses, as before stated, amount to so much that they 
suffer loss where they otherwise might draw a clear profit. Besides 
this loss, which must be borne, the colonies also will be ruined if 
they are shut off from the fur trade. The farms which now af- 
ford them sustenance will at the same time fail and all provisions 
must then be sent over from here as before at ten times the expense. 
To go on doing this, added to the loss, would be double folly, while 
on the other hand [everything would go well] if the trade were 

73 Should be 22A. 



248 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

granted to the patroons, who have money and means to send every- 
thing- at their own expense, which right of trade, as stated above, 
was formerly with good intentions (though too soon for the time) 
fully granted to the poor people, who having no means had to be 
supplied by the Company with everything. Is it not better that the 
Company should draw a clear profit than make themselves trouble 
and loss? 

Are not the contrary minded well aware that their course will 
never increase the trade because the savages, who are now stronger 
than ourselves, will not allow others who are hostile and live farther 
away and have many furs to pass through their territory, and that 
this would be quite different if we had stronger colonies? Yes, 
that the Maquaas, who will not allow the French savages who now 
trade on the river of Canada and who live nearer to us than to them 
[the French] to pass through to come to us, might through persua- 
sion or fear sooner be moved to do so and that from these savages 
more furs could be obtained than are bartered now in all New 
Netherland? This is only one of many things, but should be well 
considered as it can be accomplished in no other way than by estab- 
lishing colonies. Do not the contrary minded comprehend that if 
they had not so unbearably treated the first patroons but had given 
them a helping hand, so that in place of such great loss they might 
have made a little profit, great numbers would have followed them? 
Do not these people know that they alone are the cause of the loss 
of the island Tortuga and other places, and also that various islands 
in the West Indies, the east side of the South River, the Fresh River, 
the Sankikans on the South River, and also the Sackcnamcs, for all 
of which colonics were registered, were not settled because the 
founders, on account of these harsh proceedings, gave up and let 
the work go which would otherwise have had such great results? 
And is it not also certain that they alone are the cause that from the 
beginning the Company has lost so much in those regions and is 
still daily losing and causing- others to lose, where on both sides 
they might liave made large gains and have fared well, because they 
continually go against the stream, doing what they should leave un- 
done, fearing what they should wish for, blaming whom they 
should praise, envying whom they should pity, hindering whom they 
should help, and who by these proceedings have nothing else to 
expect, than to lose wdiat they still have? 

All of this the remonstrant has kept secret until now, but having 
been solicited by resolution of the 19th inst. to make a statement 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 249 

of these grievances, he could not in good faith neglect to put the 
same in writing, in the shape of a complaint. Addressing himself 
first to the deputies from their High Mightinesses, he prays them 
in all submission so to arrange this matter that the govern- 
ment of this country be not deprived of such a spacious, beau- 
tiful and well situated territory for which other nations are so 
earnestly longing, having already settled near its boundaries on the 
east and west as well as on the north, which surely will happen if 
the course which has been taken for some years back be persistc:! 
in, hut that, on the contrary, it may flourish under the authority of 
their High Mightinesses and the direction of the Company and that 
to this end the populating for which their High Mightinesses made 
such special provisions by the 2d article of the charter of the West 
India Company may be duly promoted, those who labor zealously 
therein supported and continued, the conceded Freedoms and Ex- 
emptions with amplification of the same not only maintained but 
even in spite of all passion and chicanery enlarged and extended in 
so far as it can be done without loss to the Company in order that 
persons who have been disheartened may be again inspired to re- 
sume the work with courage, the patroons receive indemnification 
for all losses which they Have suffered, what they have obtained by 
right enjoyed by them in rest and peace and, above all things, the 
spread of the Christian reformed religion promoted in those re- 
gions. 

Addressing himself then to the directors of the respective Cham- 
bers, the remonstrant urges them to so manage the affairs of New 
Netherland that the Company, instead of continual loss, may re- 
ceive a vast annual income ; to examine the course pursued for some 
years and to charge the instigators of the same to draw up a com- 
plete statement showing in what way the Company can make a 
profit instead of proceeding blindly and passionately as heretofore. 

Further he prays the deputies of the Chamber of Amsterdam that 
they will be pleased to use their influence in their Chamber that no 
passionate persons be appointed as commissioners for that work, 
but only reasonable men who are in sympathy with the work and un- 
derstand their business, and to recall the commis of Fort Orange, 
who is not only antagonistic to the remonstrant but of no service to 
the Company. 

And finally he prays the lords directors and representatives 74 of 
the chief participants, in particular those of the Chamber of Am- 



74 Assessorcs; i. e. associate directors representing the chief participants. 



25O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

sterdam, to be pleased to defend him in the assembly of the chief 
participants against all calumnies and injuries which have been or 
may be spread against the remonstrant and his associates, notwith- 
standing their innocence. 

To all of which the remonstrant awaits the favorable resolution 
of the very honorable assembly. 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Jacob Albertsz 

Planck 75 

March 4, 1634 
Copy 

This day, the fourth day of the month of March in the year 
sixteen hundred and thirty-four, before me, Simen Ruttens, notary 
public admitted by the Court of Holland, residing in Amsterdam, 
and before the hereafter named witnesses, appeared and presented 
themselves Mr Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, as patroon of his colony 
situated on the North River of New Netherland called Rensselaers- 
wyck, of the one part, and Jacob Allersss Plairk of this afore- 
said city, of the other part, both of which parties, known to me, 
the notary, declared that they had contracted and entirely agreed 
about the following things and conditions. First, tne aforesaid 
Iacob Planck acknowledges that he has bound and hereby does 
bind himself to the aforesaid Mr Rensselaer, to go and sail at the 
first opportunity to his aforesaid colony in New Netherland and 
Three to remain there for the period of three consecutive years, 
which shall begin and commence on the date of his arrival 
in that country; the aforesaid three years to be a fixed term and 
the said Iacob Planck not to have the right to quit or leave except 
with the express will and consent of his aforesaid lord and patroon. 
And in case he should act contrary thereto, he shall compensate 
and pay his aforesaid patroon for all hindrance and damage which 
he may suffer thereby, pledging and mortgaging therefor all the 
goods, wares and effects which he shall have acquired in that 
country or brought with him, none excepted, submitting the same 
as well as his person to the constraint and real and immediate 
execution of all judges and courts. 

Secondly, that the aforesaid Jacob Planck shall hold in the afore- 
said colony the position of officer 11 and sellout, as his aforesaid 



75 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.32. Extract in V. R. B. Mss 38. 

n SiiU' heads in this document are in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

77 Underlined in original. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 25 1 

lord and patroon has already given and granted him the said 
office, according to the instructions heretofore made or still to he 
made by the aforesaid patroon, to which reference shall always be 
had. The aforesaid Jacob Planck has thereupon accepted and 
promised, as he hereby does accept and promise, to conduct and 
exert himself well and faithfully in the said office (which he grate- 
fully accepted) as becomes an upright and faithful officer and 
Officer and sellout 770 - and as he ought to do, and moreover, as soon as 
he arrives in that country, he must present himself to the 
director general of New Netherland, in order to take before him, 
for the behoof of his aforesaid lord and patroon, the proper oath 77 * 
The of fidelity conformable to the instructions and authorization 
given by the said patroon to the said director general, for 
which three years of service he, Planck, shall be entitled to the 
third part of the fines 77 * received by the officer and which from 
Fines time to time may be levied, and in addition shall receive 
from the hands of the aforesaid director general a present of the 
a rapier silver-plated 77 * rapier with baldric and the hat with plume, 
baldric which are in the latter's custody for the aforesaid patroon. 78 
Thirdly, the aforesaid Planck has agreed, as it shall also 
be his duty, to exercise proper supervision over all 77 * the men, farms, 
Supervision over animals and everything else that may have to be 

the farms, men, . 

and everything else done in that colony or at the Manhatcs in the 
m the colony and at nam e of the aforesaid patroon; also to keep an 

the Manhatans 

Keep record exact record and account 7711 of everything and 

re o * t ccount an to make report thereof by every opportunity, 

Seek in everything and in everything to seek the best advantage 77 * 

best advantage . , r ... • ,. 1 

of patroon of the patroon as far as it is possible and 

feasible. Also on Sundays and other suitable days to perform 
Read tne duty f reader and to offer up the public prayers, for 
which he shall receive the twentieth penny, or one stiver out of 
every guilder, of the net proceeds or profit which the patroon 
1 st out of every shall receive yearly of all and everything, 

guilder of profit , . , , , . , , , ,, j 

of the colony nothing excepted, of which he shall send me 



77a Underlined in original. 

78 eiuic dacrenboven tot ecu vereeringhe uijt handen va'nden voorsz Dircctcur Gcncracl 
ontfangen den versilverden Degen met ten draeghbandt, hoel endc pluymagie, die den 
voorss Ilr Patroon onder hem heeft hemslende. This refers to the silver-plated 
rapier and plumed hat sent July 20, 1632, for Rutger Ilendricksz van Soest, which are 
mentioned in the memorandum to Director van Twiller, p. 204. The statement is not 
clear as to whether "the objects were left in van Twiller's charge by Rutger Hen- 
dricksz on his return to Holland or had remained in van Twiller's custody from the 
time they were sent. 



252 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

proper account, 78 * it being understood that this includes the 
sale or furnishing of the clothes and other necessaries which may 
be sold for the patroon to the farmers, also the increase of the 
animals, provided that the old number must be maintained; there- 
fore, as soon as he, Planck, gets there, he shall take proper ac- 
count of everything and specify the same by inventory. Ex- 
cluded from this, however, shall be the profit which the patroon as 
well as he shall derive from the following conditions. 

Fourthly, the aforesaid Jacob Planck has consented to transport 
Jacob Planck to go himself with his son and one servant™* thither 

and return and live 

in that country with by the first ship that goes to New Netherland 

his son and servant 1 • 1 • 1 1 • 1 1 , 1 

at his own expense aild U1 wlllch lle 1S able to SeCUre passage, and 

this at his own expense and charge of going and coming; also, to 
support himself there and provide himself with everything, nothing 
excepted, but the patroon shall do his best to obtain some work 
for him on the ship so that he may cross over for his board, and 
if he does not succeed therein, the patroon shall give him for the 
130 to Planck three of them the sum of 1.0 guilders. Having with 

toward his ex- . O S> , ,, 

penses God s help arrived in that country, said Planck shall 

exert himself as much as possible and at the first opportunity 
move to the aforesaid colony and in the middle of the east side 
of Castle now West Island, on the river side, cause a suitable dwell- 

Dwelling to be erected • tQ bg erected at his Qwn expense, bllt the 

at the expense of ]. ° r 

pianck who will receive patroon shall contribute 78 * 100 guilders to it 
is'worth f2oo U1 L "'P on condition that the building shall be 

valued at 200 guilders at least. 

The aforesaid patroon or his farmers must pay proper wages 
Farmers or patroon to the servant of the aforesaid Planck when he 
£ U th e y a empi r oy nt sha11 be employed in their service. Also to pro- 

him vide the grain, meal, bread, butter, milk or cheese 

which he and his men may need for their proper support (if they 
are supplied themselves), paying for the same as follows: for the 
Wheat and rye at f 2 a wheat and the rye an average of two guilders 

schepel; butter at 6 st 1 1 r 1 1 • j 

a lb 2 st a schepel for a schepel, for the butter six stivers a pound, 

grinding for the buttermilk one half stiver a mengel 

and for the cheese accordingly and for the grinding of meal two 
stivers a schepel. 

Further, of all kinds of grain, wheat, rye, barley, oats and others, 
which arc grown in the aforesaid colony, after the men and animals 



Underlined in original. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 253 

have been provided for, the farmers, without any fixed remunera- 
tion by the patroon, must turn over and deliver to Iacob Plank, 
on proper receipt, the share which the patroon has in the said 
grain, of which grain he, Planck, at his own expense and risk and 

full charge, may distill brandy, anisette or other spirits, or brew 
To distn brandy b eer to k e so \^ to t i ie men f t i ie Company or to 

and anisette and , .... . . , ,, 

to brew beer at the savages, or do otherwise therewith as he shall 

his expense think fit. Said Planck ought not to pay anything 

for the said grain, nor shall he have the right to charge the pa- 
troon anything for the purchase, or for charges of himself or his 
men, or for any expenses incurred in connection with the same; 
and of the entire proceeds, without any deduction from the afore- 
said grain, or from the amount realized or received for the same 
in the end, whether in money, merchandise or other returns (but 
Freight charges and freight charges, insurance and duties to the 
duties t be deducted Company to be deducted therefrom) one half 
shall go to the patroon and the other half to him; and if he has 
1/2 to go to the patroon bread baked thereof, two thirds shall go to 

and 1/2 to Jacob planck . . .... 

and his men. the patroon and one third to him on the 

Bread, 2/3 to the pa- above conditions. 

troon and 1/3 to planck 

But he, Iacob Planck, shall not have the right to engage in any 
private business for himself, on forfeiture as above. As to the 
share of the grain to which the farmers are entitled ok which he 
shall buy at the Manhatcns or elsewhere from the savages, the 
patroon shall pay four guilders a mudde for rye, wheat or corn, 
and shall also pay one half of what it costs above that amount, pro- 
vided that the proceeds shall be divided as above, one half to the 
patroon and one half to him, Planck. 

Other expenses to be incurred in connection with the grain or 
otherwise and which are not specified here, shall be borne half and 
half, except so far as the grain shall be baked into bread, which 
expense Planck shall bear entirely; on the contrary the draff and 
all other by-products and profits derived from the manure of cattle 
or hogs, shall be shared half and half. 

All that Planck himself, or for his men, shall consume in the 
way of the aforesaid brandy, spirits, beer, bread or other things, 
he shall pay for ; the brandy at 20 stivers the Amsterdam kan and 
other goods accordingly. 

Further, the aforesaid Iacob Planck has promised as he does 
n. b. Not to hereby, not to trade in furs either for himself or 
fur3 for others, directly or indirectly, contrary to the 

granted Freedoms on pain of the punishment and correction pro- 



254 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

vided therefor by the West India Company, but to regulate him- 
self in all matters according- to the aforesaid Freedoms. 

The patroon shall buy two good muskets, one of which shall 
be paid for by him and the other by the said Planck and the owner- 
ship shall be half and half. 

And on these conditions and in this manner, the aforesaid Iacob 
Planck has bound himself to the aforesaid patroon Rensselaer, 
promising to observe and fulfil faithfully all that is stated above 
with its implications and consequences, without anything contrary 
thereto being done either by himself or any one else, directly or 
indirectly, within or without the law, in any manner, under bond 
and submission of his person and goods, present and future, in 
that country, as is stated above. In good faith, with the consent 
of me, the aforesaid notary, this has been duly authenticated, one 
or more copies in debita forma to be delivered to each of the 
parties. Thus done in the aforesaid city of Amsterdam, at my, 
the notary's, house and office, in the presence of Anthony Martcnssz 
and Jan Stoffclssz as witnesses hereunto invited, who together 
with the aforesaid contracting parties have signed the original. 

Underneath was written: In fide in ct testimonium, rogatus et 
requisitus, and was signed, S': Ruttens nots pub cus . ss n 

Concordat haec Copia cum Originali 
Quod attestor infrascriptus publicus 
S: Imperiali: Curiaeqz Hollandiae 
authoritatibus Notarius Amstclodami residens, 
hoc die 21 Aprilis A : 1634. 
[signed] /; vandc Veu 

Nots Pub cus ss H 

21 
A : 1634. 



Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Michiel Pauw 79 

March 10, 1634 
Copy 

Whereas Cornells van vorst, in the year 1633, by contract turned 
over three cows (two of which had been delivered to him by 
Bastiaen Ianssz Crol by order of Director Pieter minuict and the 

"> V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.S3b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 255 

third by Andries Huddcn from the farm of P r Bijlevelt) to the 
new director," W outer van Twiller, for the behoof of the colony of 
Mr Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the said Mr Rensselaer and M. Paauw, 
as patroon of Pavonia and for his director 80 Cornells van Vorst, 
for reasons them hereunto moving, have contracted and agreed as 
follows : that the contract between Director van Twiller and Cor- 
nells van Vorst shall both, qualiiatc qua, be executed and held firm 
and the exchange be accepted; but that an estimate shall be made 
of how much the less the three cows which Cornells van Vorst 
received in return were worth at the time of the last delivery than 
the three cows which Director van Twiller received, without any 
further claim on either side being made regarding the past trans- 
action, which difference in value shall be charged to Mr Rens- 
selaer on condition that the money for the three cows purchased 
by van Vorst shall be turned over to Mr Rensselaer; and, in case 
Cornells van Vorst has not [made] the payment there, that Director 
van Twiller as well as van Vorst be requested to make a statement 
thereof, signed by both of them, and send this to the respective 
patroons by the next ship. Done at Amsterdam, 10 March 1634. 
Was signed in the several hands well known to me, the notary: 
.1/ Paauw, K V Rensselaer. 

Concordat haec Copia cum original]. Quod attesf. infra- 
scriptus Publicus S. Imp 1 . Curieque Hollandie authoritatibus No- 
tarius Amstel mi . residens, hac die 13 Aprilis A . 1634. 

[signed] /: vande Ven 
Nots Pub. 

J 3 

A . 1634 

4 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Cornelis Teunisz 

van Breuckelen 81 

April 5, 1634 

I, the underwritten, Cornells Tlieunlssen van Breuckelen, 82 about 
30 years old, acknowledge by this my signature, that I have entered 
the service of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, patroon of the colony called 



80 M. Paauzv als patroon van Pavonia voor syn Directeur Cornelis van Vorst. In 
Rensselaerswyck, the title of director for the chief agent of the colony was not used 
till the arrival of Brant van Slichtenhorst, in 1648. 

81 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.27. 

82 His full name was Cornells Authorise van Schlick, or as it was later spelled, van 
Slyck; in the present work as well as in the account books among the Rensselaerswyck 



256 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Rensselaerswyck lying on the North River of New Netherland, 
and this for the period of three years commencing with my arrival 
there in the aforesaid colony, to help my aforesaid patroon or him 
who in his stead shall have the direction or administration there, 
during the aforesaid period in all diligence and faithfulness in 
carpentering, bricklaying, farming or such other work as I shall 
be ordered to do or be capable of doing, without distinction of 
work, and that I will not engage, without the consent of my afore- 
said patroon according to the Freedoms granted him by the 
Chartered West India Company, in any fur trade or obtain furs by 
gift or barter, upon forfeiture of all my goods and even on pain 
of peremptory correction touching my person or goods, and this 
for the sum of 180 guilders a year, to be paid to me or my order 
there or here on proper settlement of my account, provided that 
if possible the aforesaid patroon shall procure passage for me in 
the ship which is being fitted out and pay. my board at six stivers 
a day and besides making me a present of 25 guilders for my passage 
going and coming, which I acknowledge that I have received, with- 
out deduction from my wages, and if within the aforesaid period 
of three years I quit his service without his express consent, he 
shall not be bound to pay me a single penny of all that I have 
earned and I nevertheless be held to satisfy him for the remaining 
time. I also bind myself under all such regulations and instruc- 
tions as my aforesaid patroon has already made or shall cause to 
be made hereafter or which shall be made in his name, to regulate 
myself accordingly, under penalties and punishment thereto at- 
tached, it being understood that over and above the 180 guilders, 
I shall have also free board, and in case the patroon or his agents 
should not be satisfied with my service, they shall be free to dis- 



Mss, he is frequently referred to as Broer Comclis. O'Callaghan, History of New 
Netherland, 1:434, erroneously includes Cornells Teunissen van Bretickelen among the 
settlers who sailed in 1631, and on p. 439 gives Cornells Anthonissen van Slyck, alias 
Broer Comclis, the first patentee of Katskill, 1646, among the settlers of 1641. The 
identity of the two men is clearly established by the fact that in the account books 
appears but one Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckclen and that this man's account, running 
through different ledgers from Aug. 12, 1634, to May 1, 1661, contains among other 
items charges for rent at 500 guilders a year from Aug. 28, 1652, to Aug. 28, 
1658, which are stipulated by the lease printed on p. 752-53, which is signed Cornelis 
Anthonisen van Schlick. On May 1, 1 661 , Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen was indebted 
to the colony to the amount of 4337 guilders, 10 stivers, and the same sum is charged 
against him in a list of debtors of 1674. The name van Slyck appears in the account 
books but twice, in 1664 and 1C66, in connection with an account for beer. An entry 
in Proceedings of the Commissioners or Magistrates, 1676-80, in the Albany County 
link's oilier, under date of Jan. 2, 1677, ordering the constables of Albany to take 
charge of the estate of Broer Cornelis, shows that Cornelis Anthonisz van Schlick, from 
Breuckelen, died in 1676. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 257 

charge me before the expiration of the aforesaid three years at 
any time they please. All this in good faith and in witness of the 
truth I have signed this together with Jacob Dlrcxsss vogel, 
formerly baker, who offers himself as surety for the aforesaid 
Cornells Theunissz, in Amsterdam, this fifth of April sixteen hun- 
dred and thirty- four. Was signed: Jacob Dircxssen vogell, Cor- 
nells thonlssen. Endorsed : Received from the hands of Kiliaen 
z>an Rensselaer according to the contents of the instrument written 
on the other side of this sheet, as a present for the passage going 
and coming, the sum of 25 guilders, this 5th of April 1634, in Am- 
sterdam. 10 RD at 50 stivers f25 — and was signed: Cornells 
Thonlssen. 

Underneath was written : Also received from the hands aforesaid 
the sum of five guilders in order that I may equip myself the better 
with axes, adzes, trowels and other tools which will not be deducted 
from my wages. Done as above. 2 RD at 50 stivers f 5 — and 
was signed: Cornells Thonlssen. [signed] /. v. 83 

Further contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Michiel 

Pauw 84 

April 13, 1634 

This day, date underwritten, the undersigned have entered into 
further agreement, to wit : that all the animals, whether horses or 
cows, old or young, which from now on and for six consecutive 
years shall be offered for sale in New Netherland, shall be bought 
of the Company as well as of private individuals, whether residents 
or strangers, according to this instruction and commission, which 
must be exhibited therefore wherever it is necessary, and this to be 
done for the profit and service of each of the contracting parties, 
half and half; each promising in good faith not to deceive or take 
advantage of the other but sincerely and in good faith, whenever 
any animals shall be bought, to give the other a half share and let 
the same be divided by lot, with the understanding that herein are 
not included such animals as before the delivery of this instrument 
may have been bought of the director general for one or the other, 
or those concerning which the aforesaid Rensselaer is negotiating 
with IVolffert Gerrltssz. In testimony of good faith, both parties 



1 Joost van tie Ven, notary public at Amsterdam. 
V. R. B. Mss. Letter Book, f.54. 



258 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

have signed this also (the original of which remains in the custody 
of me, the notary) the 13th of April 1634 in Amsterdam. 
Jta attestor qui retro 

[signed] /: vande Ven 
Nots Pub. 

13 
A 1634 



Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Lubbert Gijsbertsz 

van Blaricum^ 

April 15, 1634 

On the terms hereafter specified, Lubbert Ghijsbertss, 33 years old, 
from Blaricum in the Goeylant, Sii has freely and advisedly entered the 
service of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, patroon of Rensselaerswyck, 
to betake himself with his wife and three children at his own ex- 
pense to the aforesaid colony by the ship that is now being made 
ready by the West India Company (to sail to New Netherland with 
God's help), provided that his aforesaid patroon shall pay and sat- 
isfy the Company and be reimbursed as hereafter described, which 
said service shall last the period of three consecutive years from the 
time of his arrival in the aforesaid colony, without right on his part 
to quit the said service before the expiration of the said period on 
forfeiture of all his estate and property and under bond of his 
person and what is further required by law, during which time he 
shall make his residence in the aforesaid colony as a free man, 
unless the patroon decide with his advice and consent to transfer 
him to the Manhatas or elsewhere, and shall have liberty to choose 
his place of residence with the advice and consent of the aforesaid 
patroon or his agents where he can most conveniently perform his 
work, namely his trade as a wagon maker or wheelwright, for which 
he shall take all the necessary tools with him from here at his own 
expense. He shall not be allowed to work for any one else so long 
as the patroon or his agents have work to give him, either for him- 
self or for others, everything at the prices for which the former and 
present wheelwrights have made and furnished the same, but if it 
happen that they have no work to give him, either wagon making 
or farming, he shall be allowed to work for other people. The 



80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Booh, f.28. 

86 Same as Gooiland, a district in the southeast part of the province of North Holland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 259 

aforesaid patroon guarantees that within the period of three years 
aforesaid he will order him to make or buy from him at least 12 
wagons, good and substantial for their money, for the sum of 30 
guilders apiece ; the aforesaid patroon shall further cause to be fur- 
nished to him out of his earnings and at proper prices grain, butter 
or cheese produced in his colony, if there is a sufficient supply, pro- 
vided that proper proportion be kept with respect to the work for 
which the patroon shall wish to employ him aside from wagon mak- 
ing, whether carpentering, farming or anything else. 

The aforesaid patroon gives him permission to live with one of 
his farmers, but at his own expense as to board, as before stated, 
and on condition that he prepare and put in order his shop and 
sleeping rooms in or next to the said dwelling in such a way that the 
farmer shall not be inconvenienced by them; or otherwise, he shall 
be allowed to sow two or three morgens with hemp, linseed, colza 
or other seed, also at his own expense and profit, and not pay the 
patroon more thereof than the just tenth of the full crop and this 
as long as he serves as wheelwright and no longer. The aforesaid 
patroon shall also pay him in advance the sum of 50 guilders for his 
equipment and in order to provide himself with the proper tools, be- 
sides a large firelock of which the patroon will bear the expense 
and which he, Lubbert, will be allowed to use and at the end of hi? 
service return to the patroon, in the same way as he shall be obliged 
to make good in money or labor all that the patroon shall advance to 
him before, in or during the voyage, as well as in that country, or 
shall pay in his stead to the West India Company or others, in such 
a way however that the patroon shall not be liable otherwise than as 
before stated. The aforesaid Lubbert shall have no right to trade 
in any otter, beaver or other skins, on pain of forfeiture and punish- 
ment therefor provided by the West India Company. The afore- 
named patroon promises, however, that as soon as he shall erect the 
fourth farm in the aforesaid colony, he will make him, the said Lub- 
bert Gysbertssz, farmer thereon on the same terms as the other 
farmers, more especially the terms of the contract made with Gerrit 
dc Reus. Uut [in counting] the farms [those] about which the pa- 
troon is negotiating with IVulffcrt Gerritsen with a view to [his] 
moving from the Maiiliataus up the river shall not be included. The 
aforesaid Lubbert Gysbertssz shall, however, at the same time exer- 
cise his trade as wheelwright for the accommodation of himself 
and others, and as to what he shall earn thereby, like the grain, one 
half shall go to the patroon and the other to himself. 



260 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

The aforesaid Lubbert Ghijsbertssz shall be obliged to respect and 
obey the said patroon or those whom he may appoint, as faithful 
subjects are bound to obey their lords and magistrates, with regard 
to the instructions and regulations already made in the said colony 
of Rensselaerswyck or to be made hereafter. 

All this in good faith ; for greater security this has been signed by 
the aforenamed patroon and Lubbert Ghijsbertssz on the fifteenth 
of April in the year sixteen hundred and thirty-four. Was signed 
in the several hands, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Lubbert Ghysbertssz. 
Lower was written : in my presence as witness, and was signed, J : 
vande Ven, notary public. 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Hendrick Conduit 
van Coninghsbergen 87 

April 15, 1634 

Contract made and entered into by Kiliaen van Rensselaer as pa- 
troon of his colony called Rensselaerswyck, with Hendrick Con- 
duit van Couinghs-bergen, 32 years old, as farmer on a farm to be 
established on the west side of a river to the north of the mill creek S8 
on the slope of the clay hill, 83 being about the middle of Castle, now 
called West Island, which farm shall be called Godyns-Burgh, this 
15th of April 1634, in Amsterdam. 

First, the aforenamed hendrick Conduit shall promise under oath 
and on forfeiture of his stipulated wages and his property there, not 
to trade in furs, specially otter and beaver skins, nor to acquire the 
same by way of present or in any other way, without the express 
consent of his aforesaid patroon. 

The aforenamed patroon shall provide him, Hendrick Conduit, 
with the following animals, if he can procure them, as soon as he 
shall take the third farm in hand, counting that of Rntgert Hen- 
drickssen called Rensselaers-burgh, as the first, that of Gcrrit de 
Reux, who is now on de laets-burgh, as the second and that of Hen- 
drick Conduit, called Godyns burgh, as said above, as the third, it 
being understood that the farms about which the patroon is negoti- 
ating with Wolff ert Gerritssen with a view to [his] moving up above 
from the Manhatas, are not included [in this number]. 

And from the time of his arrival in the said colony till his, the 



" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, {.29b. 
M Meulen kil; the Normans Kill. 
"' kteybergh. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 26l 

third, farm shall be erected, he must help other farmers or do such 
other work as the patroon or his agent shall direct, on condition that 
he shall receive 150 guilders a year in addition to his board, but as 
soon as the buildings are under cover and the farm is ready to 
commence work, he shall receive 180 guilders a year till the shares 
begin, and as a start be furnished with three or four horses, as 
many cows and in addition sheep and hogs according to circum- 
stances. He shall further have for his assistance, if they can be 
obtained, two men and a boy, for whom are proposed Cornells theun- 
issz van Breuckelen, carpenter and mason, who must do farm work 
when he is not otherwise employed, also one of the men whom Ger- 
rit dc Reus has brought into the country, or one of the men of Roe- 
loff janssen, if the same will stay, or otherwise a negro, or the serv- 
ant of Officer Iacob Albcrtsss Planck, and this at the expense of 
the patroon for the period of one year from the time that he shall 
begin to draw the 180 guilders, which payment of 180 guilders shall 
not continue for longer than one year ; from which time on and for 
the period of four consecutive years, not leaving on pain of for- 
feiture and under bonds as above, the aforesaid Hendrick Conduit 
shall receive no wages, but the wages and board of the men and the 
boy and the house servants, as well as all other expenses of whatever 
nature, the damage and loss of animals, wear and tear of wagons, 
plows, in fine, all and everything, shall be paid during the aforesaid 
four years, half and half, and be deducted from the common fruit, 
en >ps, milk, butter, cheese and increase of stock, and the balance and 
gain shall be evenly divided between the patroon and Henrick Con- 
duit. With this understanding, that the patroon may take at his 
option the animals apportioned to henrick Conduit at the rates here- 
tofore fixed by the West India Company, and the grain at such 
prices as those of the Manahatas are obliged to furnish grain to the 
Company for. And every two years, an inventory shall be take i 
of the stock and what shall be found in addition to the number de- 
livered to him, is included in the aforesaid condition. But, if the 
number shall have decreased, the said henrick Conduit must try to 
raise again so much stock that he attain the former number and 
shall not be allowed to derive any profit till the original number is 
restored. The said Hendrick Conduit shall raise as many sheep 
and hogs as possible, and those which he sells or the amount which 
he receives for them, shall in the same way be divided half and 
half. 

At the time that the aforesaid partnership begins, an exact list 



262 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and inventory shall be made of the grain in the field, or in the 
houses or barracks, also of the live stock, furniture and household 
goods, butter and cheese, grain, meat, bacon, wagon and plow, 
and further of everything else that shall be on hand and belong to 
the patroon in particular, which shall again be done at the end of 
four years, when the patroon must get back as much as he has 
supplied, or the value thereof according to the valuation placed upon 
them as above. 

As to the passage across, the patroon shall if possible seek to ob- 
tain permission for the said Hcndrick Conduit to earn boatswain's 
wages, but if this can not be done, the patroon must pay for board 
and henrick Conduit shall receive no monthly wages. But the 
transportation of the servants, the patroon charges himself with, 
while Henrick Conduit must take care of the calves which he may 
send and the farm implements which he will send over by this ship. 
Henrick Conduit shall distribute the manure of the animals over 
the land to the best advantage and if necessary mix it with sods ,J0 
and so increase the heap. 

The patroon shall provide Henrick Conduit with a good firelock, 
costing fn:io, which sum Henrick Conduit shall pay the patroon 
at the end of his term and keep the firelock. 

If (contrary to our hope) there be no prospect of obtaining ani- 
mals to establish the aforementioned farms, hcndrick Conduit shall 
not be obliged to serve longer than one year for the aforesaid 150 
guilders a year, but the patroon shall try to get him employed on 
fair terms on the farm of Bijlevclt at the Manahatas, provided he 
advise the patroon in time. 

All that is stated above, the aforesaid Hcndrick Conduit by true 
and manly words promises faithfully to fulfil and accomplish, 
thereto binding his person and goods, movable and immovable, pres- 
ent and future, submitting all of them and the choice of them to 
the control of all laws, courts and justices, in good faith, without 
guile or deceit, in witness whereof the contracting parties have 
signed this with their own hands, this 15th of April of the year 1654. 
in Amsterdam, and was signed in the several hands, Kiliacn Van 
Rensselaer, Hcndrick Conduit. Lower was written: In my pres- 
ence as witness, and was signed, /: vandc I'm, notary public 

00 plaggen; heather or peat sods, sometimes used in the Netherlands for compost heaps. 




ft; r^^lft 






g CO 

o . 



-cq 









u *- 




VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



263 



Names of colonists ready to sail in de Eendracht 91 

April 20, 1634 

Names of persons whom the underwritten has ready to sail for 
New Netherland, to his colony, in the ship d'Eendracht, this 20th of 
April 1634. 

Jacob Planck van Edam, to eat in the cabin 

Abraham Iacobssen, also from Edam 

Labbert Gysbertssz van Blaricum, with his wife and 

three children of 10, 6 and i~y 2 years, all sons 
Cornells Theunisss van Brenckel 
absent Hendrick Conduit van Coninxbergen 
Hendrick carstenssz van Norden 

Underneath was written 

Kiliacn van Rensselaer 



packed in a 
dry cask 

N°. A 



17 



Invoice of goods sent to the colony 92 

[April 20, 1634?] 

Invoice of the following- goods which the aforesaid Rensselaer 
has sent open and loose to the warehouse of the Company and in 
the presence of its officers has caused to be packed in the following 
casks and boxes in order that they need not again be unpacked and 
inspected. Marked as in the margin. 

one brandy still, weighing 
115 lb, costs with condens- 
ing coil 

three green and three white 
blankets, cost 

three bolts of coarse cloth 
and one of somewhat 
finer, cost 

one small bag of 
hemp seed, con- 
taining one schepel 

one ditto with lin- 
seed, contains two 
fourths of a barrel 

100 lb of pig lead 
3 small tin pots 

12 bags of Oriental malt, 
costs 85 gold guilders a 
last 



4y 

c 



f°4 

f23 



f52 10 



^cost f 4 10 



f 8 
f 2 



*>3 



f2 3 8 4 



8t V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.73. 
82 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.73. 



264 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



a box 

N°. B 



a box 

N°. C 



in a dry 
cask 
N°. D 

N°. E 
N°. F G 



M Blank in Letter Book. 

94 zvagenseelen. 

95 achterwagen seelen. 
98 smaltonnen. 



24 pair of Flemish stock- 
ings at 11 stivers a pair 

24 pair of linen drawers, at 
19 stiv. each 

24 linen shirts, at 31 stiv. 
each 

24 ditto, somewhat smaller, 
at 25 stiv. each 

46 pair of watertight 
leather shoes, averaging 
23^ stiv. a pair 



25 



at 6 stiv. each 



one ship's pound of white 
Letyden cheese, cost 

3 sieves, 3 strainers, cost 
24 iron straps with bolts, at 

6 stiv. each 
24 horse bits, at 6 stiv. each 
9 chains, at 3 stiv. each 
18 surcingles (but only 12 

found), cost 
6 head stalls 

24 traces f3:io — 9 lines f 3 : 
14, together 

9 linen coupling lines f2:6 
— 9 wagon braces 94 f4 14, 
together 
9 rear wagon braces 95 f5 114 
— 18 halters f2:i5, to- 
gether 

4 long grain scythes f 20 — 
4 Hainault scythes for 
grain f6, together 

12 axes, at 25 stiv. each 
2 strainers of the above 3, 
which could not go into 
N°. C 
16 bags of Oriental malt, at 
85 gold guilders a last 

one hogshead of brandy con- 
taining 16 steekan, [7?] 
mengel, costs with the 
cask 

two kegs 96 of salt contain- 
ing 3 bags, cost 

[Total of A-G] 



fi3 4 

f22 l6 

*37 4 
f30 



*54 1 
f 7 10 

f36 

f 4 12 8 

i 7 4 
f 7 4 
f 1 7 

f * T^ 
f I 

f 7 4 



f 6 10 



f 8 9 



f26 

fi5 



{70 8 

f 7 8 4 

fio 4 

f689 o 8 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



265 



to distribute 
among the men and 
to keep account 
thereof" 

N°. H I 



4 fathoms white 
6 fathoms black 



The goods on the other side 
[of the sheet] without 
counting the expenses 
amount to f68o, o 8 

Also given to Iacob planck 
to take with him, the fol- 
lowing : 

together 
10 fath- 
oms, 07 
I at f6 f 60 

2J lb of gunpowder in a 

small keg, 98 cost f 12 17 

paid for books, paper and 

ink f 10 14 

2 firelocks, cost f23 

2 muskets, cost f20 

4 shoulder straps f 2 4 

one bullet mold fio 

total f 45 J 4 

Being two small barrels 1 

with salted meat from 

Craloo, valued at f44 
22 sacks to be distributed 

among the farmers, 

bought of Mr Michiel 

Paauzv, cost 18 stiv. each f 19 16 
1 sack included in the 

aforesaid 22, in which one 

schepel of colza, bought 

of said Mr Paamv f 2 10 

1 red flag with the arms of 

the colony, to be hoisted 

on certain occasions, costs 2 
one tool chest from Jacques 

dc Boremaker? for Cor- 
nells Theunisss van 

Breuckelen. Memoran- 
dum 4 



87 Article not given. 

88 Tonneken. 

09 Note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

1 smaltonnen. 

2 Amount not given. 

» Jacques Spierinck, the auger maker, see O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 
1:430-31, and also p. 433, where he is erroneously given as one of the settlers of 1630. 

4 The last two items added by way of memorandum in handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 



266 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van T wilier 5 
April 23, 1634 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Wouter van Tzviller, director in New Netherland 

This day, 23 April 1634, in Amsterdam 
Mon Cousin: Passing over the letter which your honor wrote to 
me from the island St Martin (since the ships Gelderlant and Nieu 
Nederlant have both been taken by the Dunkirkers), I find myself 
in receipt of several letters from your honor, of date March 18, 
1633, sent to me by the ship de Goede Hoope, of May 9, by de 
Walvis, and of July 17, 20 and 22, by de Soutbcrgh, and now 
finally within the last two days, that of September 14, in the care 
of Marrten Gerritss by way of New England, which although in 
many things too late, yet nevertheless came well apropos before 
the departure of this ship d'Ecndracht, for which the last lighter 
with goods and people leaves tomorrow evening, bound for the 
Texel, just as the news of the killing of my animals came at the 
last moment before the departure of the ship den South ergh from 
there. 

I am not ungrateful but understand and appreciate the great 
friendship which your honor has shown me, while attending to 
your official duties and according to the 25th article of the granted 
Freedoms of New Netherland, which Freedoms after much difficulty 
have been approved anew by the Chamber of Amsterdam and 
the Assembly of the XIX and are declared legal and rightly 
acquired, the remaining differences being submitted to their High 
Mightinesses, all conformably to three distinct resolutions under 
Letters A, B, C, sent by my officer Jacob Planck, in whose hands 
your honor can see the same and from whom you can* receive 
copies thereof. These same Freedoms therefore, as they are there 
given, are indisputable, and according to the 15th article freely 
allow the patroons, not only in their colonies, but also wherever 
along the coast of New Netherland and the circumjacent region 
the Company has no coinmisen, to trade their products of the soil 
in exchange for all sorts of merchandise, even beavers, otters and 
the like ; the point of sending merchandise thither only being- 
disputed, which must be decided subsequently by their High 

6 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 55-70. Printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 
8:267-86, as Appendix G to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 267 

Mightinesses. I therefore send with the Company's knowledge a 
brandy kettle for distilling brandy from my surplus grain, which is 
to be sold there in the country according to the aforesaid article. 

The indemnity demanded by your honor for the loss I have in- 
curred will come in well for part of my expenses. I shall endeavor 
again most earnestly to deserve it from you, as I have already 
done, for believe me freely, had your honor not had me here they 
would have summoned you home with an affront, which the Lord 
God this time has graciously forbidden. Such a shameful pot has 
been on the fire for you that I in all my life never would have 
believed that one could find men base enough to plan it, and, what is 
worse, the same business has not only taken hold among the direct- 
ors, but been scattered far and wide, even in the full board, so 
that it was publicly proposed to look around for another director 
without first duly examining your case, for which reason I went at 
/ r ogelaer in such a way on the crowded Dam that he will not soon 
forget it. Upon the counsel and advice of Mr Coenraets, I have had 
a sworn statement made which I send your honor herewith en- 
closed under No. 1, from which you may see what has happened 
here. Yes; even more shameful than is stated therein, among 
other things, that your honor, being drunk, had run out on the 
street after the minister with a naked sword; that your honor had 
given another person a suit of clothes ( ' for the reason that, etc. 
Hi is last Gras 7 told me zvas trite. 8 

I have to several directors individually, to the commissioners 
separately, and likewise in the full Assembly, several times affirmed 
your innocence and said that, if they would carefully examine, they 
would find that they ought to praise you for the very thing for 
which they blame you, that you had long served the Company, 
that they ought to know you better, that you have outserved all 
your masters, who were in power before you began, and that at 
present none of the former were in office except Messrs Coenraets, 
Rcael and La Mync (who are all three on your side, especially 
La Myne who defends you bravely; to which three, and also others 
whom you most trust, you must not neglect to write discreetly, as . 
being your old masters, requesting them to take your honor under 
their protection against all injuries and slanders which are injuri- 
ously spread and accepted to your great prejudice). But what is 



6 cen pack kleeren geven; literally, to give a suit of clothes, but here apparently used 
in a figurative sense like een pack slaag geven, to give a beating. 

7 Jean Gras, director of the West India Company. N. de R. 

8 Underlined in original. 



268 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the case : the crown which the secretary Sa had placed on the head of 
Minuict, rests now on yours ; the enemies of Minuict are now 
yours. This crafty knave has stirred up the present minister 
against you, as he did the former against Minuict (who I think 
will receive from Domine Badius, to whom he has written, another 
letter than he expects. But the man has been misled; it is not 
his fault.) Therefore forget all the foregoing and keep up kindly 
relations. Domine Roelof Pieterssen has shown your honor in this 
matter much friendship, also through his nephew, the secretary 
de Vries? who is one of the commissioners though he seldom at- 
tends. Do not neglect either to write to both of them. Likewise 
to Licbergen, with whom I some time ago had a confidential word. 
1 have told the officer Dincklagen, who comes in the place of Notel- 
man, all about this. I think that your honor may trust him, be- 
cause he was first recommended by Mr Foeyt, who is a friend of 
the colonies. Then first try him well, and since he has studied, 
he can serve you with advice, since such people can see deeper 
into a matter than those who have not studied. The secretary has 
furthermore also incited against you all the directors and chief 
participants who are opposed to the colonies. (I do not hear Van 
dc Linge slander so much as he did) ; but 10 spouts fire and flame, 
the more so because your brother Hcndrick in the Nieuzve kerckc, 
when he would not move up a little, pushed him with force (which 
he should not have done) ; however, I had him up and showed him 
his fault, whereupon he toned down a good deal. All these quar- 
rels, added to the dissatisfied people who returned, so overwhelmed 
you that no contradiction sufficed. Mr Paauzv, who has much in- 
fluence with Coenracts, was also very sorely out of patience with 
you because of the severe proceedings against Cornells van 
Vorst, which he in the beginning also showed. But I won him 
over and made satisfaction (even to my own loss as will hereafter 
appear) so that we are now entirely reconciled to each other and 
you will find henceforth a friend instead of an enemy. If you 
find it advisable, write him a short letter, for I see that one can 
not accomplish as much by well doing as by having friends in the 
game. 

Vogclacr declares to me that he is your friend, as are also his 
followers. But I know better than that. They are too much 
smitten with the secretary. I told him in the presence of all the 



8a Jan van Renuind. 

"Frederick de Vriis. secretary of the city of Amsterdam; see p. 64. 

10 The writer has here scratched out the words " the marked humpback." N. de R. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 269 

commissioners that for many years I was prejudiced against 
Minuict by the same poison, and that after awhile he would find 
it out also. If your honor could win over the minister 11 — I think 
that he has credit with Vogelaer and his people — and make him 
understand that the secretary had acted with falseness, the ship 
might be brought on another tack. It should be noted in this 
connection that the wife of Remunden told the wife of Jeronimus 
that her son being on the island St Martyn with Willem van Wouzv 
and asking to come on board, your honor being drunk said " let 
the dogs swim aboard." Vogelaer has told me (and apparently it 
comes from the secretary) that when your honor went with the 
minister to the preaching at St Marttyn, it would have been better 
if you had stayed away ; wishing to have it understood that you 
had drunk too much. Of these two things he has knowledge, the 
third may enlighten him still more, namely, that he said in con- 
versation with Dirck Cornelisz Duyster that he had made an agree- 
ment with you and that each side promised the other not to write 
anything about it, but that there were some, notice this, who had 
advised him not to trust you (who I suppose must have been 
Remunde). This is now clearly found to be a false calumny, as 
your honor has never mentioned a single word of it to either the 
directors or to any of your friends, but he 12 has done so to Dr 
Bad ins (although indirectly, without mentioning your name but 
with sufficient application) and to this Remunde would appear to 
have brought him according to a letter from Remunde to his wife. 
By this he thought he would set the crown of thorns on your 
honor's head. It was read at the meeting of the directors but I 
do not know whether it was written from New Netherland or from 
England, apparently from the former, and he took it with him and 
sent it from England or perhaps by the Soutberch. Of that I am 
not sure. 

This false secretary, who has slandered many men behind their 
backs, was by a righteous punishment arrested at Rotterdam for a 
theft of which he was not guilty, and was then charged with the 
manslaughter; whereby he would have lost his head had the ac- 
cusers of the theft "not bravely interfered for him and his corre- 
spondents here, burdening their own consciences, held back the 
attestations come from there (saying that they were given out of 
partizanship) ; and besides that, he greatly abused the Prince of 

11 Everardus Bogardus. 

12 Bogardus. 



270 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Orange. He has now been sufficiently warned. From what I 
hear he must pay £300 to the friends of the deceased, and that will 
free him. Among other defenses for this manslaughter, he took 
occasion to accuse your honor of being the cause of it by not 
having been willing to settle the differences. He gave this out in 
public statement to your- prejudice in the full assembly of the 
directors before his arrest. Whether he will now behave himself 
better, remains to be seen and hoped. 

As to Hunthum, I can not yet find out how he behaves. I 
would have liked that your honor had written me the reason why 
the Maquaas killed my cattle and, in order that there may be a case 
against him if he misbehaves, I have ordered my officer Jacob 
Planck to get from you the attestation of the abusive words which 
he has spoken against me and mine and, when he comes out of the 
fort, to bring him before the court of Rensselaerswyck for such 
punishment as the laws of the land provide. The abuse can only 
make him infamous, and he is enough so already, but the court can 
make him retract his statements and can force the words down his 
throat. 

I had earnestly wished that Dirck Cornclisscn might have gone 
over again; they were not willing to allow this. Vogclacr is too 
much against him ; Cocnracts is most of the time at the Hague ; 
Dc Vrics seldom attends the meetings and Lybcrgcn is so-and-so. 
The last meeting of the directors was much in your honor's favor. 
Those whose terms have expired are : Bicker, Bartclotty, deceased. 
Broen, Hamel, Valckenburgh, Verdocs, Oycns. Their successors: 
Cocnradns, Read, Secretary dc Vrics, Enart Man, Schuylcnlmrgh, 
Bartrinck. The disparity is too great, and as some can now do no 
more harm among the directors, they are trying to bring it to 
pass by means of the chief participants. They have secretly tried 
to make Isaac de Rasiere, 13 who married the niece of Ray, director 
in your place, as I have only lately found out. Mr Cocnracts was 
invited to the wedding and diligently courted but, with his wonted 
discretion, he did not allow himself to be used for such a shameful 
proceeding, giving me sufficiently to understand that I must watch 
and secure proof thereof, which has also been done. 

It is a wonder surely, that all the patroons and their associates, 
who have enjoyed no particular friendship from your honor in the 



13 Under date of April 19, 1637, the baptism in Brazil of Ysaac de Rasierc, son of 
Vsaac de Rasiere ami Eva Bartells, occurs in " Doopregister der Hollanders in Brazilie," 

Algcmeen Ncderlandsch Familieblad, 1888, 5:142. In the same register the father's 
name appears as witness as late as 1651. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2Jl 

country over there, defend your cause more strongly than do those 
persons whom you have so faithfully served (even against justice 
and reason in the execution in the colonies of their unlawful ordi- 
nances and the administration of the severe oaths to all the people). 
From those people there are no thanks to be gained; they can spit 
no honey, since they have nothing but gall in their mouths. Our 
Jcroiiimus 14 is very much alarmed and would like to have his son 
at home again. He has sent me the enclosed memorandum marked 
No. 2. He takes your side, as does also Grictgc, who is very sick. 

It was not until lately that Aldrichs* 15 could get permission, to 
order a suit of clothes for you (since they were busy with Rosier e 
up to the last) and only a few days ago they decided to allow the 
remaining thing of your memorandum. I have paid him £150. 
I will give him the rest when he brings me the bill. 

After a long chase I have just been able to secure the conditions 
of your appointment, as given in the copy No. 3 ; herewith are 
also added some others marked No. 4 & 5. I shall keep the orig- 
inals here. 

The heads of the accusations against you, coming from outside, 
are that you are proud and puffed up ; always drunk as long as 
there is any wine, and thereby the cause that the ship was sent 
off so long after the last of June, lazy and careless, hostile to the 
minister and no defender of religion. The following comes from 
inside : that you write so few reports to the Company, that you 
have not enough prudence and judgment to rightly discharge your 



14 Perhaps Jeronimus Lacroix. A person of that name — his son? — made a tour of 
exploration into the wilderness from Fort Orange for the Company. His journal exists 
among the patroon's papers. N. de R. 

This journal which is referred to in the patroon's letter to Wouter van Twiller, May 
6. 1638, on p. 401 of this volume, was not in the Van Rensselaer Bowier collection 
when placed in the hands of the present editor. It seems likely that it is the same as 
the account of the journey to the Senecas secured by Gen. James Grant Wilson at 
Amsterdam in the summer of 1895, and published by him in the Independent, 1895, 
47:1317-20, and in the Annual Report of the American Historical Association, 1895, 
7:79-101, under the title "Arent van Curler and his Journal of 1634-35." If the same, 
there is no Rood reason for calling it, as Mr de Roever does, Lacroix' journal, for 
de la Croix appears throughout in the third person. That Gen. Wilson on the other 
hand is wrong in ascribing his document to Arent van Curler is evident from the fact 
that the man who speaks in the first person, and who of the three men in the party is 
the only person not named, describes himself as one of the commisen of the West India 
Company, and from the further fact, based upon statements in the patroon's letters 
in this volume, that in December 1637 Arent van Curler was but an inexperienced 
youth of 18 years. 

lr ' Jacob Aldrichs; see p. 273. Possibly this is the same person as Jacob Alrichs 
who in 1656 was appointed director of the colony of New Amstel, on the Delaware. 
A Mr Jacob Alrichs appears as witness to various baptisms in Brazil from 1637 to 1651 
in " Doopregister der Hollanders in Brazilie," printed in Algemeen Nederlandsch 
Familieblad, 1888-89, v. 5-6. 



272 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

functions, that the accounts which you send are not carefully 
examined, that the books have not been kept in good order (to 
which I replied that they must send a bookkeeper, whom they 
should pay for the work that they required of him, because that 
was not properly your business). Crol complains that you have 
held his books there. But Conraets says, and justly, that your 
honor ought to have written to the Company what ships or sloops 
of the English or Brownists had been there, for instance Captain 
Stoon,™ with whom your honor was on somewhat too familiar 
terms, also Jan Brouwer 11 and others, in order that the Company 
might have given the necessary orders for such cases. Therefore 
be on your guard. Secure affidavits even from Hunt hum and 
those who may be opposed to you, by which you will know them, 
for you have now evidence enough to do so. 18 Inform those who 
arrive and keep on good terms with those who remain, so that in 
their letters to the Company they may justify you against such 
shameful calumnies and slanders, for if you can once clear yourself 
of this the venom will not be able to affect you again. Consider 
these warnings, and take it well from me that I thus, prescribe for 
you, although you know it well enough yet nevertheless it is need- 
ful to refresh the memory: 

1 Be God fearing and an example to the people 

2 Be temperate in eating and drinking 

3 Be faithful in your service, injuring no one 

4 Be diligent and vigilant in the execution of your official duty 

5 Be cautious in everything and with what persons you associate 

6 Be humble when you are exalted 

7 Be patient when you are injured 

8 Trust in God when you are chastised 

If you do this the curse will change to a blessing and slanders re- 
dound to your honor, Amen. 



1B Referred to by David Pietersz de Vries (Kortc Historiacl, p. no) as Captain 
Stoons, from London, of a prominent family. De Vries met this captain in the West 
Indies and in Virginia and, June 15, 1633, on his return voyage to Holland, found him 
outside of Sandy Hook in command of a vessel laden with cattle bound for New Eng- 
land, endeavoring to reach New Amsterdam in order to obtain a supply of water- 
Under date of April 18, 1633, de Vries mentions the arrival at New Amsterdam of an 
English captain from New England who was invited by van Twiller to a dinner party 
at which the guests became intoxicated and fell to quarreling, according to de Vries, 
much to the surprise of the Englishman, who did not know what to make of such irregu- 
larities among the officers of the Company and lack of authority on the part of the 
director. It is not unlikely that the patroon received his information from de Vries 
but confused the two captains referred to. 

17 Mentioned in Utter from Sijmon Dircksz Pos, Sept. 16, 1630, p. 170. 

1S Bcleggct attcstatien, sclffs van Ilunthum ende die U parthijc moghten wesen, 
wacracn ghij sc kennen stilt; want ghij hebt nu stoffe gctwegh om sulex tc doen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 273 

Now I will turn to the answering of your letters. As to that 
from de Holder, I thank your honor in the name of Johannes and 
Baptist for the fn.13 out of which my wife bought them fur caps 
as your honor desired. As to that from Wight of the 17th of 
August, I have paid the fi50 to Minuyct and added it to the 1250. 
I will add to this what I must now advance to Jacob Aldrichss, 
and subtract the f62.io which I am to receive from the cashier 
Reach Your mother told me that you had divided this amount, 
which I well believe, but without your express order to me I can 
not do it; therefore be so kind as to let me know your honor's in- 
tention, and when this ship comes home draw as much of your 
salary as you can, for the sum increases if they keep the people 
waiting longer. 10 Dirck Comelisz has not yet got his money. 
They have allowed him f24 per month as commis, a shame, since 
they give Hunthum, a rogue, £75. But he expects to earn it by 
sending 13,000 skins yearly, which I think he will fall far short 
of, and this will not advance his cause. The money of Wolfcrt 
Gerritscn I received but lately also. I have kept back f300, of 
which I will write him further. They would not let Dirck have 
his eleven skins, a thing they have done at other times. He says 
that he informed your honor and others of them ; he requests ex- 
planation, according to the letter here enclosed as No. 6. Coen- 
radus has promised him that they will make it good to him. 
Vogclacr is especially hostile to him. 

In regard to the letter of the 3d of September from Wight, I 
met Vogelaer after its receipt and asked him whether the Company 
had received letters, saying that I had a short letter; he said at 
once, " There you see, he is already too great to know even his 
masters." To which I answered that he must first be sure whether 
your honor had not written and that he should not flare up so 
hastily. He denied it at once, saying in the presence of Mr Blom- 
maert, who had heard it as well as I, that I lied. This was the 
beginning. When he afterwards heard from St Marttijn that you 
had taken a prize, he began at once to scold that your honor had 
not despatched the sugar by the two large ships GelderJant and 
Nieuw-Nederlandt in order to balance therewith the shortage of 
Hunthum and Rciuuudc, but hearing afterward that they were at 
Dunkirk he kept still. Think how he must seek occasion against 
you, of which his aforesaid comrades give him enough, being not 

VA cv.de, ah dit schip t'huys compt, treckt soo reel van U gagie in als ghij condt, want 
dc sominc groolcr wordt, soo sij het volck longer ophouden. 



274 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

only venomous but writing to him in the most corrosive extract, 
so that you must be bravely on your guard. And Jeronimus does 
not doubt but there are spies going over, to dog your steps. 20 

Regarding the letter of November 25, by the Cat from St. 
Marttyn, I will say that your honor should be most grateful to 
God that he has delivered you out of the hands of the Turks (even 
if my calves were cast overboard; your honor made this good again 
to me in your last deal with the Maquaas). Vogelaer and his 
friends have here cause enough to praise you most highly, but it 
will not come to pass. The newspaper 21 enclosed as No. 7 by 
arrangement of Mr Paauw and myself refers to you. I keep your 
letter secret but you can well scent what it means to say. David 
Pietersz., against whom you warn me (and who also severely 
criticizes your honor), has turned out even worse than you stated. 

I have not received the letter of December 24. It went to Dun- 
kirk ; the letters from Gerrit dc Rcux with one enclosed to Provoost 
were sent to me from Dunkirk, but no others. 

Regarding the letter of March 18, 1633, I will say that I thank 
the Lord with you for your safe, though difficult and perilous 
journey, being pleased to hear that you like the country so well 
and that you feel so well. But I am sorry that the savages to the 
south are so rebellious. They ought to be attended to or they 
will give others a bad example, but yet this should be clone with 
great and Christian discretion. 

Concerning the animals bought by me from Minuit and Bijle- 
veldt I have this to say, that I have perfectly agreed with Mr 
Paauiv although I had the most right, as it was done with the con- 
sent of the Company. Minuit and Bilcvclt did not deceive me al- 
though matters did not go just right. Minuit says that he offered 
them to Mr Paauw and on his refusal sold his animals to me, but 
Mr Paauiv appears to be ignorant of this. 

Bijlevelt had given no orders to Andries Hudde, who neverthe- 
less sold the one cow to Cornells van Vorst, so I did not find it ad- 
visable to dispute with Mr Paauw but sought to have him for a 
friend, especially since he had greatly injured your cause with 22 Mr 
Coenraets and the others. Therefore wc have made such an agree- 
ment in regard to these three cows as appears by the enclosed copy 
No. 8. And we made also the following agreement. No. 9, that 



-" om U met looden schoenen naer tc gaen; literally, to follow you with leaden shoes, 
(o follow you cautiously. 

21 CO II III lit. 

22 Underlined in original. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 275 

all the animals that shall be for sale in that country shall be bought 
in by your honor on our mutual account, except those which before 
the receipt or delivery of this contract No. 9 shall have been bought 
in or engaged by your honor, everything as stated in the said con- 
tract which is to remain in force for six years, and I in all sin- 
cerity request that it may be observed, as I have voluntarily (al- 
though for the reasons before mentioned) agreed thereto. We can 
not' limit your honor in prices, but it seems to me the Company 
formerly wrote to Director Minuict and the council about them, so 
that he, and afterwards Croll, by the Company's orders bought up 
all the animals that were for sale, half for Mr Paauw and half 
for me, at the same price, so that it is sufficiently known and cus- 
tomary. I hear that private parties are buying animals. The 
sellers have no consent for this from the Company, as Mr Paauw 
and I have, for their stock is the offspring of the Company's 
animals, unless the Company has since given other orders unknown 
to me. With regard to the animals that you may henceforth deliver 
to us from your farm, we can not well fix the price here, because 
there is so great a difference in quality and age ; for horses rated 
at fi2o if good, your honor may charge us fi5o; for cows rated 
at f8o, £95 or fioo; and so in proportion; and those your honor 
buys from others, at cost price according to your honor's letter. 

Referring again to the three cows, namely the two of Minuyt 
and one of Bijlcvclt, since I now have the claim against them of Mr 
Paauw in regard to nondelivery (and as our agreement does not 
concern them), be pleased to send over to me the resolutions which 
the council made respecting it, with the proofs of Cornells van 
Vorst } who says tliat he bought the cow belonging to Bijlevelt from 
Andries Hudden for f6p: — for I have not yet paid Bijlevelt for 
it but Minuit lias deducted liis amount from what he owed me. 23 

Further Bijlevelt appeals to the contract made with me, that 
he is treated unfairly by having f5o deducted just for the chickens 
and the garden, as the agreement will show, which I send your 
honor enclosed as No. 10. In his presence I sent for the skipper 
Jacob Jansscn Hes, who said that there were other things, and that 
the contract, signed by us both, was exhibited in the council. Be 
pleased therefore to have an abstract of this resolution made and 
certified. Bijlcvclt says that the chickens were given as boot. The 
contract does not say so. Moreover the boot must be paid over as 
well as the goods purchased. As to Mr Paauw, since he has three 



23 Underlined in original. 



276 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

other animals in place of these, the difference can not amount to 
much and the appraisal should be made on the basis of the value at 
the last delivery, that is, the time when your honor delivered the 
three substitutes to him. 

As to the farm of Bijlevcldt, I see that your honor has it worked 
by one farm hand and one negro, which may well be done and it still 
yield profit. In case the old mare has not died and is unfit for 
work, she may be kept for breeding. This farm is very destitute 
of horses and has had too much ill luck but is still well provided with 
cattle. Calves might be raised on this farm and then sent up the 
river. If two horses and two cows were left, the land could be well 
enough worked with them (that is, what has been cultivated before) 
or outside help could be obtained. 

As to the farm of Notclman, I have practically possession of 
that also for the following reasons ; in the first place, by virtue of 
the right of Gerrit de Reux who rented it as the other farmers ; he 
has had the use of it and paid the first instalment of 100 guilders 
and ceded all his rights to me according to the enclosed deed No.11. 

Further I bought of him all his surplus cattle, [later giving] an 
additional consideration of f5o for a cow in place of a heifer, and 
have paid him for the same, according to the enclosed bill of sale 
and receipt No. 12, so that now all the animals that remain, and 
about which there can be any question, are those that properly be- 
long to the farm, to wit: 4 mares with colt, 4 cows, 2 heifers (in- 
stead thereof he delivered 5 cows and 1 heifer, for which I gave him 
an additional f5o), 4 hogs, there still remaining for the Company to 
deliver 2 hogs. In place of 6 sheep which he was to leave for me 
on the farm, he paid Notclman f6o cash, all shown by the receipt 
and account herewith enclosed as No. 13. 

The agreement made with Notclman is that I shall keep for my- 
self all the animals belonging to the farm as well as the surplus of 
the same, but he is permitted to retain the farm for himself and 
work it with other animals, such as he may buy elsewhere — see 
his letter of January 15, 1632, enclosed here No. 14, which your 
honor will please send back to me — so that the animals belong to 
me and the farm to him. With regard to the animals which he re- 
ceived thereon, he must account for them and for those bred from 
them; and since he has made use of the same in his own service 
(although he suffered much loss which I can not help), he must give 
me satisfaction therefor. The number that he received can be 
found in No. 12 and No. 13. 



In Oct. 1631, 

belonging 

to the 

farm 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 277 

f 4 mares, 3 of those first sent, one of those last 
sent, all with foal 

5 cows, 3 of those sent, 2 four year olds raised, 
with calf 

1 heifer, May 1632, two years old 

6 hogs, 2 of 1 year, 2 of l / 2 year, 2 that the Com- 
pany has yet to deliver 

6 sheep, for which Notelman 2 * paid him f6o cash 
f 2 heifers 

not 

belonging "j i young steer 

to the farm [ I ' stalHon colt 

This, with those bred since October 163 1, is all that I can claim 
from him; and according to what I hear, the farm is not well pro- 
vided, so that they can not deliver the old number. This will turn 
out badly. He has used both the farm and the animals and treated 
the horses very badly, so that they have died. On the other hand 
I must pay 100 guilders yearly, Reux having paid for one year. 
And then there are coming to me the wagons, plows and whatever 
was sold with the animals by the Company. Now to make out the 
account, there must first be deducted such of the aforesaid animals 
as he has delivered to me. Then he must be paid fioo a year, 
there being due to me in return the fob received for the sheep. 

Further [must be counted] what the wagons, plows, etc., that are 
now there, may be worth more or less than they were at the time 
[he received them]. 

As to the delivery of butter and grain to the Company, that comes 
from the land and off the farm and not from the animals. 

Again, the animals of the foregoing number which are still left 
[on the farm] must also be turned over and delivered to me, giving 
me a reasonable remuneration for their work and increase in age. 

As to the rest, those which have died, there comes the dispute 
that, deducting those which he has delivered, he ought first of all 
to make the [number of animals on the] farm complete just as he 
received it ; all that then remains is that I maintain that the in- 
crease should be greater than the loss by death, that is, from ordi- 
nary causes and not from misuse. And in this way we shall be 
able to settle with each other, but otherwise not. 

The Company will also claim the two horses and two cows, which 
must be delivered to them, or at least their cash equivalent, and it 
must therefore be considered whether Notelman has fared well or 



M This should probably be de Reux. 



278 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ill on the farm. If he has prospered, he can not refuse to make 
good my loss and to deliver the full number of all the animals with a 
reasonable amount of offspring'. If your honor can not make 
terms with him, let him in my behalf put the farm in your hands 
and above all take care that he shall devise some means to complete 
the number [of animals] required and make an estimate of the 
grain and implements that are on the farm. We may then try to do 
business here ; but I prefer to have it done there, for here I would 
not get much from him. This being done, your honor can issue 
an order in my name, that his farm and that of Bijlevelt shall be 
worked in my interest by a foreman and a boy or a negro and the 
animals which can be dispensed with may be sent up the river. 
Since the land is overworked and poor, I have proposed to the lords 
commissioners to let it lie fallow for some years, leaving there some 
foals and calves, which by that time will attain their growth, and in 
the meantime to pay the rent as before and to deliver as much of 
my grain at the market price as my neighbors do. They found this 
not unreasonable, but said that the manure must stay on the farm, 
to which I replied that it was better for the land to lie fallow than 
to put the manure on and take it out twice over by farming, but 
that the young beasts should stay on it. So if they do not write to 
your honor about it, you can arrange with the council that the Com- 
pany's interests shall not be prejudiced and that I may do with my 
own as seems to me most expedient. It may be that the farm of 
Notelman is in such a bad condition that I must reject it, then I 
must have back again the f 100 I paid on account of the first instal- 
ment, also [return] the surplus animals bought from Gcrrit de 
Reu.v and let Notelman do with them as he pleases. Yet I think 
it very advisable to hold on to the farm if it can in any way be 
done with profit or even appearance of profit. It will be of service 
to me, in that I can in time set a man over it, who could take charge 
of my affairs at the Manhatas and in the council, which will be most 
necessary in case they should recall your honor. Therefore do not 
let the farm go. 

Your honor writes indeed in general that the increase [of ani- 
mals] has been good, but not how many nor where they are. I 
have not been able to get the information from the Company and 
now it is too late to make request for it; be so kind as to do as much 
as this with the assistance of Jacob Planck and compare the in- 
voice of the animals bought from MUiuict, Bijlevelt and de Reux, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 279 

with the animals on the two farms of Nottelman and Bijlcvclt, de- 
ducting- those that have died, adding the increase and where they 
are, and keeping a list and account of this in future. The exchange 
of the three young horses bought from Minuict at fi20 for an old 
mare, valued also at fi20, about which your honor writes me, must 
in no wise go through, for I am too well provided with old horses. 
I would rather have young ones; and if I should have two less than 
otherwise it would also be to my injury in respect to the contract 
made with Mr Paauw. I hear also that the mare which your 
honor would give me in exchange is very old indeed. Rather 
than lose these three horses, for I suppose your honor has kept 
them, I would pay your honor twice, yes, three times over for their 
keep. I am surprised that you propose this to me, as it conflicts 
directly with the memorandum given to your honor, where I have 
written on the margin, N. B. 1 stallion, thrown in 1630, bought from 
Mi nit it; this was to be for your honor provided you gave me for 
it some colts, thrown in May 1632, from which it is plain that I 
would rather have colts than horses considering their prices, for I 
can raise them at small expense, having grass enough in the sum- 
mer and in the winter hay for only the work [of getting it in]. 
Also your honor writes that on the farm of Minuit one cow has 
died and another has been bitten by a snake and has died also. I 
can not quite understand whether those that have died belonged to 
the general stock of the farm or to my own cattle, since these were 
not separated but were in the common herd when I bought them 
for your honor and myself from Minuit. It seems therefore that we 
should share the risk of loss by death, as well as the profits of 
the increase, unless your honor take the position (which I do not 
know) that the animals belonging to the farm were recognizable 
and the surplus, sold to me, also recognizable, and that of my recog- 
nizable cattle the aforesaid two have died. I have dwelt on this 
question so long because it will prejudice me in the contract of 
half and half made with Mr Paauzv. Therefore do me the favor to 
leave me my three young horses, and by substituting others for the 
two dead cattle let me keep the same number that I bought. I am 
willing to pay your honor as much money as you shall wish for their 
keep and the loss by death, for I must have cattle, all the more be- 
cause I bought them for my colony and made the contract with 
Mr Paauw chiefly on your account, so as not to have him against 
you. You can have no idea how he can hinder or help you ; I 
notice it [by comparing] how it was before, and how it is now since 



280 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the contract. I may not write here all I know about it, since we 
are now agreed. It is not well to have him for an opponent; he is 
too clever. 

With these three horses and two cows and some from the farms 
of Noottclman and Bijlevelt, I can establish a third farm in my 
colony, since there are cattle enough up there to provide two farms. 
I made a contract for this with Hendrick Conduit, whom they call 
Szuager, 25 but he repented of the bargain and has escaped me; 
I send your honor a copy of this contract enclosed under No. 
D, given to Jacob Planck, who will show it to your honor. In 
place of this Hendrick Conduict, I can employ a person from 
your honor's farm about whom your honor and also he himself 
wrote me, since herewith are going three farm hands whom your 
father has hired for you, according to the enclosed contract No. 15, 
so that your honor can probably do without him. I will give him 
the same terms that Hendrick had. He may build the farm house 
on the place appointed or near Fort Orange. I have also hired a 
carpenter, 26 who is also a mason and understands farming. But he 
has not put in an appearance and the last lighter sails at noon today. 
There are still farm hands over there in the country who were trans- 
ported at my expense. They must serve me when I want them. In 
case Roeloff Jansz satisfies your honor and your foreman remains, 
you may give him the third farm, before named, on the same terms 
as Hendrick Conduit. 

Furthermore, regarding Wulffcrt Gerritssc or his son, who are 
very willing to go up the river, your honor can arrange with them to 
use half or two thirds of Castle Island (which contains 136 mor- 
gens) since I neither can nor may pass by Brandt Pielen, who lives 
with Rutger Hendricksen and has brought his farm into good con- 
dition and I have no reason to displace him. 

I find it every way advisable to deal with Wulffert or his son, 
as I have also said to Jacob Planck ; and see to it that you pay 
him for his cattle out of the indemnity of the Maquaas skins, since 
the Company can lay no claim to these or at the most claim no more 
than the duty of one guilder per skin. And in case your honor or 
Jacob Planck can not entirely agree with him, let it go until our 
meeting, as he intends to come home, telling him that we will cer- 
tainly come to an agreement with each other here. I should like 
to have his cattle as if they were excepted from the contract with 



25 Swager, at the present day, means brother in law; in 17th century Dutch, it is 
frequently used in the sense of son in law. 
20 Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 28l 

Mr Paauzv. If he used half of the 136 morgens, it would be 68 
morgens; the 2 /z ar e over 90 morgens. That is quite enough for 
farm and pasture land ; the hay they would have to get from outside 
the island, from the mainland or from the upper islands. I shall 
hardly have time to write to Wulffcrt. Do what your honor can 
and do not give up dealing with him, in order that I may obtain 
the cattle. 

Your honor recommends Brant Aartsen 27 to me. That would 
have been well had I known how things stood with my cattle which 
I feared were dead, but now it is too late ; therefore I have agreed 
for the present with Jacob Planck, according to contract No. 16 
here enclosed, which your honor will please preserve, since he has a 
duplicate of it. Please to administer the oath to him as officer and 
have him select at least three schepens, who shall take the oath be- 
fore him; then he can convene them and hold court. For this I 
have given him two books, namely, Damhoiavcr on Criminal pro- 
cedure and the Ars Notariatus. But I am disappointed in him; 
there is not as much in him as I thought. However, I have engaged 
him ; I hope that he will turn out better. It is best that he should 
not have a large salary and should go at his own expense. Your 
honor must give him some instructions and cause him to make care- 
ful notes of the farms of Notclman and Bijlcvclt and also of the 
cattle, and let him settle with the people, but subject to my approval, 
since some have received money here. 

N. B. I find by the Company's books that I am charged for much 
provisions and merchandise, which my people are said to have ob- 
tained. If they go on in this way they will soon eat me up. Some 
are there at my expense as to board, others not, so that a distinction 
must be made. I wish that henceforth none of my people shall at 
their own request receive a stiver's worth from the Company and 
have it charged to my account. But those who want anything may 
apply to Jacob Planck, the officer, and let him apply to your honor 
or the respective commisen, who can give him what he needs upon 
receipt, so that I may know how the matter stands. I see that Roe- 
loff Janssen has grossly run up my account in drawing provisions, 
yes, practically the full allowance [even] when there was [enough in] 
stock. 27 " I think that his wife, mother and sister and others must 
have given things away, which can not be allowed. He complains 
that your honor has dismissed him from the farm and your honor 



27 Brant Aertscn van den Slichtenhorst, who later plays an important part in the 
history of the colony. N. de R. 
27a jae gcnocchsaem t'rollc rantsocn alsser voorract gcwccst is. 



282 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

writes me that he wanted to leave it. As to the wagons, plows, etc.. 
which are needed on my farm, and also on yours and those of Wolf- 
fert Gerritscu and others on the Manhatans, employ my wagon 
maker Lubbcrt Gijsbcrtsscn; he can send them down on sloops or he 
can come down for a time in order to make them at the Manhatans. 
Jan Evcrtsz Bout is going thither -also ; he has offered me his 
services, but the shirt is nearer to me than the coat. Mr Paauw re- 
quests that your honor will keep on good terms with Cornells van 
Voorst and that your honor will help him as much as can be done 
without damage to the Company so that these local dissensions 28 
may finally cease. 1 trust that the instructions which are to be 
issued through the efforts of Mr Cocnracts will not be conceived in 
such hostile spirit 20 [toward the patroons] as the preceding. 

The 51 whole and 14 half beaver skins coming from my colony, 
have been handed to me, although with protest. I hope that the pa- 
troons by [the time] the next [ship sails] will have the free trade 
in furs, even [in exchange] for merchandise, unless some restric- 
tions are added. Their High Mightinesses have appointed to settle 
this question Messrs Arnhcm, Weede and Donck, who well under- 
stand the rights of the colonies and the population and that the 
first adventurers ought to be favored in order to tempt others to 
follow. We find it not advisable to enter on this before the de- 
parture of this ship; but as soon as it has sailed, we shall come to it 
(God willing) and vigorously attack the management of Vogelacr. 

Please take charge of any grain raised in my colony for which 
Jacob Planck has no use, and deliver it to the Company. I hope 
however that he will be able to use it all for brandy-making and 
beer-brewing, if he only understands the business. I have had him 
examined by Claes Chtess". He requests that your honor will at 
my charge provide him with a comfortable little boat so that he can 
sail to and fro, which will be a favor to me as will all that may be 
further granted to my advantage. 

Regarding the grass and grain scythes which Gerrit de Rcux de- 
livered by my order to Mr Paauw, I have no memorandum thereof ; 
let Rcux give me an explanation, since Mr Paauw also knows 
nothing about it but says that Cornells van Voorst himself delivered 
such things to Reux. I am surprised that Marijn can not raise any 
tobacco. He can not understand it rightly or must have taken up 
too much land which he has not cleared well or not sufficiently 



28 inlandsche onrlogcu ; literally, inland wars. 

'-"' niet met sulcken passie sullen vermenghi sijn; literally, will not be mixed with 
such passion. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 283 

spaded and broken up. If I had a supply of brandy and were pro- 
vided with a sloop, he would do for a skipper to cruise along the 
coasts of New Netherland and the adjacent settlements and sell 
it according to the Freedoms to our people, the savages and others, 
at places where the Company has no commis for furs as beavers, 
otters, etc., and at all places for seawan or for money, as is allowed 
everywhere by the aforesaid Freedoms. 

Mr Paauw and I have been busy trying to send over a ship with 
young cattle, but as they demanded too much, and I did not know 
how matters stood in my colony, and we were not yet quite settled 
with the Company, we have let it rest. We also intended to send 
over carpenters. Regarding the brickkiln, I can not yet say much ; 
at any rate I must be paid for the clay of which the former bricks 
were made, as it was from my land ; of which I have here notified 
the Company and also Crol. 

I wish that the remaining little islands and also the land that is 
on the east side of the river and belongs to the Mahycans, had been 
bought also. Be pleased therein to do your best, and give Jacob 
Planck instructions what to do. If the savages make a sale, let the 
transfer be made before my officer and the court of Rensselaers- 
wyck, using the form that Mr Paauw is now sending over to Cor- 
nells van Voorst. Ask him to give your honor a copy of it, only 
changing in it mutatis mutandis the names of the officers and colo- 
nies: he calls Cornells van Voorst his chief officer , 20a and I desire 
for my own reasons that Jacob Planck shall as yet not be otherwise 
entitled than as officer. N. B. Do not fail to get a copy of this 
form from van Voorst and give Jacob Planck a copy, not like that 
which van Voorst has, but changed as it must be for Jacob Planck. 
I fear I shall hardly have time to write out the instructions for 
Jacob Planck, as the lighter is ready to sail. Your honor can give 
him as many extracts from this letter as he needs, and also from the 
previous instructions I gave your honor for Rutger Hcndrickss n . 
adding to them what seems best to you and ordering him in my 
name to act accordingly. If you do not possess the books of Dam- 
houzver and the other, be sure to read these copies freely, since the 
court of Amsterdam generally follows this author, and recommend 
this also to Jacob Planck. As to clover seed, I would have sent 
some to your honor, but mine is on the way from Italy, shipped from 
Venice, and here there is little for sale and it is extremely dear, 



21>n hooft officer; the term used in former days to distinguish the public prosecutor of 
a court having full criminal jurisdiction from the ofUcicr, or prosecutor, of a local 
court which had civil and limited criminal jurisdiction only. 



284 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

besides being good for nothing since very little has come up from 
the last at CraLoo. H0 If another ship follows, and den Walvis has 
lain ready for seven months, I shall provide your honor with it. 
The confraters, however, will not send out the ship if they can not 
obtain the freedom of the fur trade. 

I am well aware of the advantages of the Fresh River. I have 
also spoken to Domps-elaer about it, but every one is afraid on ac- 
count of the disputes and opposition that arise. Blommaert long- 
ago registered his colony there ; we may see how it will turn out 
after the decision of the States [General]. Some years have 
elapsed as a result of these disputes, so that the four years 31 should 
not be counted to begin till after the aforesaid decision has been 
given and all disputes settled. It is bad that the English are begin- 
ning to get a foothold there. But Mr Vogelaer does not worry 
much about this, I think, since he says he would rather be bitten by 
strange dogs than by his own. 

The prices which the English ask for their cattle are not at all 
reasonable. I should think it quite unadvisable to pay any way 
near so high a price, for I notice that they are very apt to die and 
then the money is lost ; let us keep to those which are to be found 
in the country or which we send from here. I have heard here that 
Captain Stoon? 2 has been killed by the savages. 

There is much to criticize in the bill of Wulffert Gerritsz, there- 
fore refer him to me. He can not claim monthly wages when he h 
not in my colony, according to the copy of his instructions, No. 17. 
When he comes here, we will settle in all fairness. 

I have paid f.50 to the wife of Laurens Laurensz n . but I do not 
know how much is still owing to him. He bargained for no wages ; 
all I have to do is to provide his board, or in place of board, pay 



80 Tlie patroon's estate, Crailo, literally Crows-wood, in Gooiland, near Huisen. It 
lies a short distance from the railway station of Naarden-Bussum, and has been well 
kept up for many years by its owner, a prominent Amsterdam merchant. The patroon's 
energy and perseverance transformed a sandy tract into a fine estate, traversed by long 
avenues of beeches and firs, with groves of oaks. The picture gallery of the present 
owner stands on the site of the patroon's house. The estate is now subdivided, and the 
two villa-parks, Crailo and Loo, will soon be the most attractive of the environs of 
Amsterdam. S. de L. v R. S. 

31 Period of time within which the patroons were required to plant a colony of 50 souls, 
according to art. 3 of the Freedoms and Exemptions. 

32 " The 8th [of June 1639], in the morning, took our leave and went up the [Fresh] 
River and having proceeded about a league, we met between two high steep points 
some savages, in canoes, who had on English clothes and among them was one who 
had on a red scarlet mantle. I inquired how he came by the mantle; but they had some 
time ago killed one Capiteyns Soon [Captain Stone] and his men in a small bark, from 
whom they obtained these clothes. This was the captain of whom I spoke in my first 
voyage t<> America, whose vessel was placed in such distress that they ate one another 
and who finally lost his life here by the savages." De Vries, Korte Historiael, p. 149-5°- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 285 

him fioo yearly, while I have half of all that he earns. And I 
have no account of what he has done or has earned. He is also re- 
sponsible for the other two and for the advance money that I gave 
to Andries Christensscn, who ran away. 

I have told them I will give no more money before I have an 
accounting. Enclosed is his contract under No. 18. Herein is 
enclosed a letter from Mr Bloemaert, No. 19, about the goods left 
with your honor by David Pietersse and Jan Tjepkens, 33 skipper of 
'/ Eeckhorntgen. Be pleased to advise him what there is about 
this, and if there is any of it yet unsold that Jacob Planck or my 
people may need, let him have it upon giving his receipt. The 
goods which I am now sending with him, according to the invoice 
under No. E, I brought into the Company's warehouse and they 
were packed there by their own people in order to be subjected to 
no more openings or inspection, since Mr Paauzv had a great dis- 
pute over their wishing to unpack his goods which were already 
packed; they released him from this, however, but it must be done 
on arriving in the country, which will not be the case with mine. 
I see also what cattle your honor has sent up the river. I hope 
that since then you have also sent some horses, etc., thither and 
that the third farm will have been established before the arrival of 
this letter and that now the fourth can be started, which I have 
promised to Lubbert Ghijsbcrtss' 1 , the wheelwright, according to 
contract No. F, herewith sent by Jacob Planck. I fear that you 
will lack farm hands. Those that came over with Reux and cost 
me a great deal you might try to get hold of again, wherever 
they may be, according to the nineteenth article of the Freedoms, 
of which I send your honor a printed copy under No. 20. The 
servants of Roeloff Janssen were engaged for four years from the 
time they came to the country, that is to say, to my colony, so that 
it is a question whether their time will be up or not ; you might con- 
tract with them for one year more. There will no doubt be some 
excuse for making them stay one year more, even if an increase had 
to be given them. 

I thank your honor for the young deer sent me by de Souther gh; 
it died on the way, so it seems that I am unlucky with animals on 
the sea, since I lost my calves also. 

I have done my best to get a servant for your honor. So has 
your father. First we had the sons of Geertgen Michiels at Amers- 



'■>'■'■ Probably the same as Jan Tiepkesz Scliellinger, the skipper of the Rensselaerswyck, 
k-hich sailed Sept. 25, 1636. See log of that vessel printed on p. 355-89 of this work. 



286 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

foort, who decided not to go ; afterwards Jehan de Wael, who sails 
for Pernambuco; and now finally another who, your father thinks, 
is too troublesome since he was very rebellious during the Easter 
holidays. We will postpone it till further advice. If your honoi 
could get a good English servant, those people are alert, respectful 
and obedient. 

In case of the Company ordering Hunthum to come to the Man- 
hataus, which I do not expect, present your affidavits to the coun- 
cil which can declare him incompetent and must make him retract 
his statements. 34 Your honor can readily justify this action on the 
ground that the Company has had no knowledge of these slanders 
and this abusive language and if he still continues his mischief, 
since the magpie can not cease its hopping, send him home by reso- 
lution of the council. Some will vigorously protest against it, 
others will laugh and say that he only gets his deserts. But there 
must be reasons and no greater reasons can be found than that the 
savages are his enemies, especially if the slaughter of the cattle 
happened because of him; also that he can not speak the language; 
further if he has obtained but few furs, about which he boasted 
that he would do so much ; and whatever else serves the purpose. 

Coming to yours of September 14, sent by way of New England, 
I will persuade our confraters to give your honor a good reward, 
in case we receive the indemnity of 275 beavers. If they pay in 
seawan, it must be exchanged for beavers and sent here by the next 
ship under a proper bill of lading. If your honor can trade any of 
them so as to obtain animals from Wulfert Gcrritss., do so, also 
for other animals. But half of this would belong to Mr Paauw 
and he would have to pay half. 

I still can not allow anything else than that there must be not 
two only but three farms on West Island, each of which would have 
more than 40 morgens of land. They must draw their hay from 
another island. But if Wulffcrt or his son came, I would rent to 
them 80 or 90 morgens on half shares, according to the contract 
with Hcndrick Conduit under No. D aforesaid, or on such terms 
as your honor can agree on with him subject to my approval. The 
farmers want a great deal of land, then they can take the best and 
let the rest lie fallow ; whereas 1 am looking for many people in 
order to increase my number. Think that Rensselaer has not even 
20 morgens of cultivated farm land, at least not much more; and 
what a fine farm that is. If a farmer therefore has 20 morgens of 



34 ende op sijnen vwnt sal moctcn cloppen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 287 

farm land near his house and pasture land and hay fields besides 
he can easily make his living. So that there could easily be six 
farms on the island. This must come gradually as more cattle and 
people come; which you must bear in mind in making the con- 
tract with Wulffert Gerritss*. Then act with caution. Only see 
that you buy his cattle on the most reasonable terms, for that is 
of the highest importance to me. I will send people enough here- 
after if only I have cattle. 

Your proposition to start a farm near Fort Orange is good, on 
the conditions as stated. But so long as Vogelaer is on the com- 
mission, there can be no dealings with the Company. Let my 
[officer] Jacob Planck talk it over some time with Hunthum and see 
what he thinks of it, whether he will take it upon himself; if not, 
whether he will favorably recommend it to the Company; and try 
him in this way. And if he refuses to consider it at all, make a 
note of it, since it would serve the interests of the Company and 
their fort would be better guarded and at less expense, as the people 
could do double work watching the fort at night and working by 
day and I would pay the Company or the Company could pay me 
part of the expenses. Do not fail to have Jacob Planck request . 
this of him in writing, that he may take action thereupon, and if he 
write to your honor and the council about it, keep cool, else they 
would lay it to your charge that you had urged it, and this must not 
be. For no matter how favorable it is to the Company, if the pa- 
troons get profit from it, it must be rejected. They would rather 
suffer loss than that the patroons should prosper. An exceedingly 
bad disposition. The horses of Wulfert Gerritss could be used on 
this farm and his son could live there. Marijn or Roelof with 
their wives could guard the house and cattle at night. 

If I have time I will write a short letter to Marttcn Gcrritscn, 
Gorier and Nootclman, also to Wulffert. If not, they must be sat- 
isfied with what I write to you. The wind is blowing strongly so 
that the lighter can not get off, else it would leave at once. 

This letter I send separately by Jacob Planck, and the docu- 
ments herein mentioned, from No. 1 to No. 20, in another packet, 
also separately, by the same Planck ; also my remonstrance (under 
No. 21) which I presented to the Assembly of the XIX, copied 
by your brother Hcndrick ; also No. 22, being a letter written by 
Domine Badius to the minister there, Domine Eucrhardus Bogar- 
dus; No. 23, a letter from your honor's father; No. 24, one from 
Thomas van Wely. As to whatever else is to be done in my affairs 



288 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I urge your honor to seek therein my greatest advantage, in which 

1 have confidence in you; and whatever I may have forgotten, be * 
sure to supply it. I will do the same for your honor. I hope 
with the return of the ship d'Eendracht to receive particular infor- 
mation from your honor and the punctual reply to the contents of 
these. Wherewith closing, etc. 

Vale. 

Memorandum of the engagement of Hendrick Carstensz van 
Norden as farm laborer 35 

April 26, 1634 

1634, this day, the 26th of April, engaged as farm laborer to 
serve henrick Conduit or some one else on my farm for the period 
of four years, commencing with his arrival in that country and to 
do willingly and diligently all kinds of farm work or whatever may 
be assigned to him, on the same conditions as other farm laborers 
are bound to observe. 

Henrick Carstenssc van Nooden;' Q 20 years old, has done farm 
work. Shall receive 10 rix-dollars a year and as a present for his 
passage, both going and returning, two rix-dollars, which have been 
paid to him at once. In witness of the truth henrick Carstenssz 
has hereunder set his mark. Done as above. 

[signed] the mark X of henrick 
Corstenssz 

2 rixd. f5 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 37 

April 27, 1634 

Coenraet Noottchnan, in New Netherland, 27 April 1634: 

I find myself with your favor of the 9th of May 1633 sent by 
den Walvis, that of the 21st of July by den Soutberch, and that 
of the 1 8th of March by dc goede hoope, to which I shall reply 
briefly, for two reasons. First, because the lighter will sail in a 
moment ; secondly because you are coming home, as another officer 



35 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.3ib. 

30 Should be Norden, in East Friesland, which city, like the neighboring Emden, 
became during the Spanish persecutions a refuge for many people from the northern 
provinces of the Netherlands. See p. 263, 311. 

* 7 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.75. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 289 

goes thither. I am very glad to see that you are on good terms 
with my nephew W outer van Twiller, director there; hope that you 
will continue thus to the last as there have been many false tongues 
and pens which have defamed him by gross lies. The skipper of 
(/(■ GoedehooPe has not been to see me ; the money which you re- 
mitted, I paid to my brother in law, Johannes van Weelen, who 
handed it to your wife, but the fi65 I have thus far not been able 
to obtain as the directors of groeningen? 8 are very particular because 
you have sent no receipt. 1 have written several letters about it, 
also spoken of it to some directors, but they say that it establishes 
a bad precedent to pay any money on the mere statement of the 
commis. You should have kept an account thereof and sent it to 
me here, for not having this 1 can not claim anything. When you 
come home, you must bring with you an authentic account thereof 
or the declaration of somebody who knows what you have furnished 
for the f 165 ; Tyaetdt brongcrs makes such a statement, but they 
will not accept it on his authority. The tobacco, my brother in law 
has after very long delay been able to receive only under bond and 
he has sold the same and been obliged to pay out of it the amount 
which your account was short; this by way of information. As 
to the animals from the farm of Gerrit de Reus which you have 
used so long and instead of increasing you have worn out and de- 
creased, I order my officer, Jacob planck, to negotiate with you con- 
cerning them as is just; commend him to the director. First, you 
ought to return the full number which you received, and as to the 
increase which I ought to have had as from other farms, you may 
see what agreement you can make in compensation for the fioo 
which you pay the Company on the decision of the council in New 
Netherland; but with the sayings of Reumunde 1 have nothing to 
do. The animals belonged to Gerrit de rcux by purchase and he 
could sell which he wanted, as they ordered him home before the 
time. I shall protest to the council there as well as to the directors 
here against the damage which I suffer there, but that does not 
concern you. What concerns you and me, is that the animals 
which you have used belong to me and respecting this we must come 
to some agreement, but my loss because of their detention by the 
Company or by Crol, I shall certainly recover from the Company. 
This by way of information. I thank you for the report of my 
colony, by which you have done me a great kindness; I shall re- 
pay it with gratitude. It is a pity that there are not more animals 



88 Same as Groningen, or Stadt en Landen. 
19 



2'JO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

where there is such beautiful land. That the 'directors have said 
this and that to reumunde is all talk and does not matter here. 
They could sell their animals but once, which they have done, and 
having sold them they have no further power over reux and bylvelt, 
who would no doubt have served out their years but that they or- 
dered them home and would not allow them to return. The Com- 
pany can take away their farms which they have leased for six years, 
but the animals which they sold they can not take away again from 
any one without his consent. 

I do not write thus to accuse you but to accuse the Company 
and in order that you may help me recover my loss from the Com- 
pany and that I may send the animals up the river at last. 

Protest of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the West India Company 
on account of the detention of the animals of Gerrit Theusz 
de Reux and Pieter Bijlvelt 39 

April 27, 1634 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Notice served on the directors of the West India Company by 
Notary Justus van de Ven in the name of Kiliaen van Rens- 
selaer, April 27, 1634 

Mr Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as patroon of his colony named 
Rensselaerswyck lying on the North River of New Netherland, 
notifies the lords directors of the Chartered West India Company. 
Chamber of this city, that a certain contract was entered into be- 
tween their honors and various farmers according to the conditions 
signed by both sides on January 8, 1630, by which your honors 
sold and granted to each of the aforesaid contracting parties, being 
six in number, four horses, four cows, with their foals and calves, 
besides two heifers, six sheep, six hogs, also wagons, plows and 
like implements, on condition that they should pay therefor the sum 
of 600 guilders in six instalments; including also two horses of 
three years, two cows of two years, three sheep and three hogs, 
as soon as the people should have bred the same above the aforesaid 
number. Further, to each of the aforesaid farmers was leased and 
appointed a suitable farm, provided with house, hay barrack and 



1 ;, final of this document was not among the Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss when 

placed in the hands of the present editor. It is printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 
1890, 8:72-73, as Appendix C to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 291 

barn, with about 50 morgens of land, for the term of six years, 
beginning the first of May 1630, on such conditions and rent as are 
further mentioned in the aforesaid contract. 

Now thus it is, that Gerrit Mattheuss. de Rcux, as purchaser of 
a portion of the aforesaid animals and tenant of farm No. 2, and 
Pieter Pieter sz. Bijlevclt, likewise purchaser and tenant of farm 
No. 3, having paid their first instalment and the first year's rent, 
were shortly afterward, to their great injury and prejudice, sum- 
moned home by your honors and coming here were prevented from 
again returning thither in order to further improve the farms they 
had rented and which had been of great expense to them during 
the first year. Being deprived thereof and much alarmed because 
they could find no one who would take over the animals with the 
farms, they were obliged to abandon the farms and sell their 
animals to the complainant, who also bought the same from them 
for the sake of his above mentioned colony, undertaking to make 
the further payments and to deliver over the increase as he ob- 
tained it. 

Following such purchase the complainant ordered Wolffcrt Gev- 
vitsz, then his commis at the Manhatans to send all these animals 
at the first opportunity to his colony, which was hindered by 
Director Bastiacn Jansz Crol because he thought it unadvisable 
to deprive the farms of animals; these, however, were not in the 
least attached thereto, save only for the aforesaid time of six years, 
during which time the vendors would not have thought of selling 
them if they had not been called home and prevented from sailing 
thither again, or if they could have found buyers who. would have 
taken the same with the farms. Being defeated in all these plans, 
they were obliged to sell them to the complainant and as he is 
greatly injured by this delay and the number instead of increasing 
is daily diminishing (since they are used, not by the complainant's 
farmers whom he had thereto appointed in his colony, but br- 
others, and he must let his people run idle at his expense or be 
forced to discharge them with injury and loss, in addition to the 
charges which he had to pay for their transportation, about which 
he was forced to make public complaint in his remonstrance de- 
livered to the Assembly of the XIX), and as it is better to pro- 
vide for redress before the injury grows greater, therefore, — etc. 

[He summons them to cause the animals to be delivered and 
in ease of refusal will hold them responsible for his loss. 

The notice was handed to Mr Arnoult v. Liebergcn, director. 



2Q2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

The notary went the following day to receive the answer. The 
president, Mr Haringhoek, said that they had spoken that 
morning with the complainant and that they had given him pro- 
visional satisfaction; that he was to write a letter which the di- 
rectors would send with their letters and that the difference would 
be referred for final decision to the director of the Company in 
New Netherland. 

All this van Rensselaer confirmed to the notary.] 

N. DE R. 

Instructions to Jacob Albertsz Planck, schout 40 
April 27, 1634 

Instructions prepared and issued by Kiliaen van Rensselaer as 
patroon of his colony called Rensselaerswyck for Iacob Alberts:: 
planch, in the capacity of officer of the aforesaid colony, according 
to which he must faithfully govern himself, this 25th of April, in 
Amsterdam. 

When he arrives on board ship he shall take good care that the 
goods sent with him according to invoice herewith enclosed under 
letter E be properly loaded and receive suitable places where they 
may be kept dry and in good condition, and in case the barrels 
are too large, so that they can not be stowed in the ship, he shai! 
use the bags which have been given him and put the malt therein. 

Also, that the men who sail in my service according to the memo- 
randum, may be provided with proper quarters. 

As soon as the ship with God's help gets ready to put out to sea. 
he shall prepare a list of the men who sail for my account and send 
the same to me witli notice whether the goods have come on 
board in good condition. 

He shall not neglect at every opportunity which offers on the 
way to advise me of what happens. 

( >n his arrival by God's mercy in New Netherland, he shall give 
my greetings to Director W outer van Twiller, hand him the letters 
and memoranda entrusted to him, and request him at the first 
opportunity to administer the proper oath of fidelity toward me, 
to him, Jacob Albertssz Planck, instead of to Rutger henrickssz van 
Soest, according to previous power of attorney. 41 



«V. R. B. MSS, I., -tlrr Hook, f.;ol>. Kxtr.u! in J'. R. B. MsS 36. 

41 ende byde eerste occasie hem vcrsocckcn volgcns myrie voorgaende procuratie in 
plaetsc van Rutger henricksss van Soest hem Jacob Albertssz Planck afftcnemen den 
behoorlycken lledt van getrouwicheyt tut mynetl behoeve. See note on p. 63. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 293 

Which having been clone, he shall with the aforesaid director 
carefully consider and note what animals and tools there are to be 
moved up the river,, before his departure taking a note also of the 
condition of the farms of Noottelman and Byleveldt and diligently 
inquiring whether any of my men have entered any one else's 
service in order to take them again into my service in case I should 
need them and they prove suitable to me. 

He shall confer with Director ran Twitter as to how many 
farms I can for the present establish in my colony and what sort 
of people may be most suitable for that purpose and, as I have no 
time to extend these instructions sufficiently, the aforesaid van 
Twitter will please supplement these instructions from the previous 
instructions given him for Rutgert Hendricxssz ran Soest as well 
as by what he shall deem serviceable to me and by what I have 
written him in the letter, which planck must follow as if I had done 
it myself and written it with my own hand. 

If any of my men need any provisions or other necessaries 
aside from those which I send along, they shall make the same 
known to the aforesaid officer Jacob planck, who shall make a 
note thereof and request the same wholesale of the commisen of 
the Company at a reasonable price, as I in return shall furnish 
them from what I have in stock, giving and receiving proper re- 
ceipts on both sides, and of this Iacob planck shall make a proper 
distribution among my men and keep a correct account thereof, 
issuing nothing extravagantly but managing the whole carefully. 
At all events, it is my decided wish that none of my men shall 
privately get anything at my charge from the commisen of the 
Company, but everything by the order and management of the 
aforesaid Jacob planck. 

While at the Manliatans, he shall with the director seek to bring 
about that Wulffert Gerriisss or his son move up the river with 
some animals, on reasonable terms, being willing to give him the 
terms of Ilcndrick Conduit according to the accompanying contract 
under No. D. 

N. B. Further, to take care not to furnish to any one more than 
is due to him, but having them give me credit for the money which 
I have furnished and advanced them here, telling jaspar fcrlijn 
what my agreement is with Maryn Adriaenssz, of which agreement 
as well as of that with him, laspcr ferlyn, the originals are here- 
with enclosed under the letters K, L, M, together with the receipts 
of what I have paid here. 



294 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

As soon as possible, he shall proceed on his voyage up the river 
and it would be well if some animals went along too, also the 
goods which were sent with him from here and some suitable 
servants. 

On his arrival there, with God's help, he shall settle on West 
Island, first trying to store his goods safely, then causing his house 
to be erected in the appointed place and further doing everything 
that the contract which he has entered into with me implies. 

At the first opportunity he shall choose three schepens from 
among the fittest of my colonists, and administer to them the 
proper oath, so that he can hold court if need be, 42 and in order 
that everything may proceed in an orderly manner, I give him 
three books to take along, which he must keep carefully and study 
diligently, to wit: Ars notariatus; Damhouzvcr int Criminecl; and 
further, praxcos Civilis, ofte maniere van Procederen, under Nos. 
O, R and S. 

He shall take care that the men work diligently, every one ac- 
cording to his contract, causing the carpenter to complete the houses 
and build the enclosures for the animals, and in particular he shall 
have the poisonous weeds destroyed. 

And in order that he may establish as many farms as possible 
in the aforesaid colony, attention shall be paid to the following. 

First, the animals which Commander Wouter van Tzviller may 
have bought for the aforesaid patroon, separately, before the de- 
livery of the contract made with Mr Paauzv, as well as his half of 
those which may be bought thereafter. 

Then, the three young horses, to wit, two mares and one stallion 
bought of Peter Minuit, which [stallion] Director van Twiller 
would like to have exchanged for an old mare, but this can not be 
done as the patroon can establish a farm with the said three horses, 
being willing to pay van Tzviller for their care as much as he shall 
wish. 

Further, the animals which Wulifert Gcrritsscn or his son may 
bring up the river. 

Finally, as many animals as he shall see fit to send up the river 
from farms Nos. 2 and 3, of Gerrit dc Reux and Byleve.lt, who 
bought the said animals and tools and in turn sold and delivered 
them to him, the patroon, absolutely, without restriction as to 

42 Bydc cerstc gelegentheyt sal liij cligcrot dryc Schcpcticn dc bequacmstc uijt myn 
1'olck dcsclve affnemende den bchoorlyckcn Eedt op dat hy des noots sijnde de Rccht- 
banck kan sfanncn. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2Q5 

term of lease, except only that the patroon has agreed to pay the 
halance of the purchase money to the Company and to return the 
number of two horses and two cows when he has them to spare. 
It must he noted that in the contract which the farmers have made 
with the Company, a copy of which is herewith enclosed under No. 
V, two things are to be considered: first, the sale of horses, cows, 
wagons, plows, etc., for the sum of f6oo, to be paid in six years, 
together with two horses, two cows, etc., to be returned when they 
have them to spare, which sale is final and neither may nor can 
be retracted without consent on both sides; secondly, a lease of the 
farms with the houses thereon for the term of six years and no 
longer, on condition of payment of the sixth sheave, the delivery 
of one firkin of butter and the grain to the Company, etc., at the 
end of which period the animals remain in the possession of the 
purchasers and the farms revert to the Company and each is 
allowed to do with his own as he sees fit, without stipulation on the 
part of the Company that the animals must remain at the Man- 
hatans. But, as the Company has ordered Gerrit dc Reux and 
V icier Bylcvelt home before the expiration of their term and would 
not permit them to return thither, they are thereby released from 
the terms of the lease and still have a claim on the Company for 
the profits which they might have made on the farms during the 
remaining years and for the loss which they suffered by reason of 
being obliged to sell their animals and tools at a low and poor 
price to him, Rensselaer, nobody at the Manhatans being willing 
to accept them ; and although he, Rensselaer, bought the said 
animals with no other view and for no other purpose than to 
transport them to his colony, willingly agreeing to pay the Com- 
pany the dues which they could claim by virtue of the sale, t-hcy 
have nevertheless refused to let him have the same, which loss he 
expects to recover according to his remonstrance delivered to the 
Assembly of the XIX, as the number of the said animals has not 
only not increased and grown, but decreased and become less ; and 
in order that no further loss may result therefrom, Rensselaer re- 
quests once more that the animals and tools which still remain on 
the aforesaid two farms may be made free and placed at his dis- 
posal to be transported to his colony, otherwise he will hereafter 
seek to recover the loss which he may still incur and have to suffer 
in such manner as he shall see fit. 

43 These instructions broken off on account of lack of time shall 



43 Note in handwriting "f Kiliacn van Rensselaer. 



296 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

be completed in my name by Director Woutter vn Twitter. This 
27th of April 1634, at Amsterdam. Underneath was written: 
KVR. ^ 

List of papers given to Jacob Albertsz Planck 14 

{April 27, 1634] 

The following papers given to Officer Jacob Planck to take with 
him : 
A B C Three extracts, one of the 19th of December 1633, one 

of the 27th of March 1634 from the Assembly of the 

XIX, and one of the 24th of XTovember 1633 from the 

Chamber of Amsterdam 
D Contract made with Hcndrick Conduit, who has given it 

up 
E Xames of the persons who will now sail, with the in- 

voice of the goods which I send by Jacob Planck to 

be sold in that country 
F Contract made with Lubbert Ghysbertsss Radernakcr 

van Blaricnni 
G H Two copies of the contracts made with Mr Michiel 

Paauw, XT . 8 and 9 above 
I Copy of the permit to Pieter Pietersss 45 to sell his 

animals 
K L M Original contracts with Marijn Ariaenscn and jaspar fer- 

lijn and receipt for certain moneys 
N Copy of the contract made with Cornells Teunisen van 

Breuckelen, carpenter and mason 
< ) A rough drawing of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

1' Instructions given to Jacob planch to take with him 

O R S Three books: Ars No'tariatus, Damhouder, Maniere van 

Procederen 
T Abstract of payments made to my men here 

\ Copy of the contract with the fanners 

\Y Protest to the Company on account of the animals of 

reus and bylevelt, which the notary has gone out to 

serve 4 " 

" V. A'. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.74. 
B Pieter Pietersz Bijlvelt. 

49 The last four items jn (he handwriting <>f Kiliaen van Rensselaei 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 2C)J 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the director and council in New 

Netherland 47 

April 29, 1634 

To the director and council of the Chartered West India Com- 
pany in New Netherland 

This 29th of April 1634 

Honorable, prudent, very discreet gentlemen: Enclosed I send 
your honors a copy of the protest made in my name to the lords 
directors of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of this 
city, demanding that they turn over to me the animals, wagons 
and other tools which are still on the respective farms of gerrit 
de reus and pieter Bilevelt, also that they repay me for the damage 
already suffered by reason of the detention and in case of refusal 
still to be suffered. 

But inasmuch as the said directors have entered into further 
consultation with me and agreed to send the said protest with this 
open letter to you under cover from themselves, I hereby very 
kindly request you to take this matter up without delay, duly con- 
sidering that neither de Reux nor pieter bijlevelt are cause of the 
removal of the animals before the stipulated time of six years, 
but the Company itself, which has summoned them home and pre- 
vented them from returning thither; for if they eject from farms 
belonging to the Company, they can not with reason refuse the 
said people the permission to take with them the animals and tools 
which belong to them and which, not being able to find any pur- 
chaser at the manhatans, they were obliged to sell to me for my 
colony. 

I doubt not therefore but the director and council will under- 
stand this as I do, the more so as the Company will thereby not 
be inconvenienced in the least, as there are plenty of other animals 
at the Manhatans which the farmers according to their contracts 
are bound to deliver to the Company; however, if the aforesaid 
two farms shall be put in the same condition as the six farms were 
when first leased, I am willing to take one of them on the former 
terms. I hope that Officer dincklagen, who now sails thither, will 
lake the other for himself, as therein' much damage and trouble 
which must otherwise necessarily result will be avoided and no one, 
as far as the future is concerned, will be offended. And as to what 
is past, if Officer nottelman gives me animals equal in number and 



47 V. R. />'. Mss, Letter Book. f.;>b. 



298 new york State library 

quality to those he received on the farm of Rcux, I am willing to 
allow for the increase and growth by the yearly payment to the 
Company of fioo, subject to arbitration and decision by the di- 
rector and council as to who of us shall reimburse the other; and 
in case the same should not be decided with nottelman before his 
departure, I shall be obliged to seek redress from the Company, 
which has detained them through its director, Croll. But relying 
on your honor's discretion I hope that it will end in such way that 
nobody will be offended or curtailed in his rights, but in the oppo- 
site case this enclosed protest will serve me to maintain my good 
right. 

And as I have proposed several other things to the lords directors 
which they have likewise referred to your honors, I shall make 
brief mention thereof. 

First, as my mill in the colony, where the grain for the men of 
Fort Orange is ground, is of great consequence to the Company 
inasmuch as the Company has no other mill there and as the same 
is situated somewhat far from my house standing on the farm of 
dclactsburgh and could easily be damaged by the savages (to great 
inconvenience, especially in the winter season when the water is 
closed and one can not get down any more 48 ) I would request that 
two or three persons from the garrison of Fort Orange with their 
arms might in turn be ordered to protect and defend the said mill, 
in return for which I undertake to cause a suitable guardhouse to 
be built at my expense in which they can defend themselves, which 
in any event will also serve as a good watchhouse against any 
attack winch the savages may attempt. Secondly, to prevent as 
much as possible all unnecessary expenses, that five or six persons 
from the aforesaid garrison of Fort Orange may be permitted to 
work during the day on the farms which I intend to establish 
around the aforesaid fort and during the night be required to keep 
close watch, on condition that I pay their board and the Company 
the wages, or I the wages and the Company the board ; and in this 
way, one hand washing the other, great unity and love may be 
brought about between the men of the fort and those of my colony 
so that they may assist each other faithfully in time of need. 
Thirdly, that the commis at Fort Orange may expressly be charged 
by the director and council, according to article 25 of the Freedoms 
of the patroons, to take all my people, houses, animals and other 
things under the Company's protection and defense; as I on my 

"That is: the peopli can not get to New Amsterdam when the Hudson is frozen. 




/"*> 



> 



I 

el 

c 1 












< 






CM 5 
^ o 

"o r T . 



VAN RENSSELAER I'.OWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



299 



side, have ordered my officer to assist the Company or its people 
with life and limb in all dangers that occur. Lastly, that there may 
be granted to me as a loan or on proper security, one of the two 
brew kettles which are in that country and that the commisen of the 
Company and my officer may mutually accommodate one another 
at moderate prices with that which one has to spare and the other 
needs ; whereupon I shall be pleased to receive at the first oppor- 
tunity your favorable resolution so far as the service of the Com- 
pany will allow, and finally, pray God Almighty, etc. 

Order of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for payment 

• of bill 4y 

April 30, 1634 



19 persons 1 child 
6 persons 3 children 

25 persons 4 children 
the children at half pay, 
there are 27 persons at 
10 st makes f 13 :io, 
amounts for my share 
to f3 : 1 5"'" 



I Endorsed] 1634 2 May 
rcijnier pauw 



Mr Kiliaen van renselapr will please 

pay my son Reynier paauw 

22 wheat bags at 18 stivers each f 19 16 
1 schepel colza f 2 10 

the share in a tun of beer, four cheeses 
and 16 loaves of bread, costing 13 
guilders 4 stivers — so much thereof 
as your honor in justice shall find 
proper. 

I have 19 persons and one child 
Done 30 April 1634 

[signed] M Paauzv 

Received from the hands of Kiliaen vn 
Renselaer on account of his colony of 
Rensselaerswyck the sum of f26:i for 
the above account, this 2d of May 
[634 in Amsterdam 50 

[signed] Reynier paauzv 

. . . f 22 : 6 



49 V. R. B. Mss 8. 

50 Marginal note and form of receipt in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



300 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Roeloffsz 51 

[May, 1634?} 

Pieter Roeloffsen, burgomaster at Sivol 

Worthy, wise, prudent, very discreet Sir : According to the 
advice of our confrater, Mr Michael Paauw, I send you herewith 
the papers to be handed to the advocates, Botgreve, Jtteusum 5 ' 2 and 
Tweenhuysen, requesting your honor to be pleased to do this at the 
first opportunity and to procure in the speediest manner the solution 
of the proposed questions, as the matter will be submitted to their 
High Mightinesses' committee on Tuesday after Pinkster, at the 
Hague, whereby you will do us a singular favor which we shall 
not neglect to return gratefully whenever there is opportunity. 
Please return the documents to me, addressing your honor's letter 
to me, the underwritten, residing, etc., in order that they may not 
be lost. Wherewith ending, and Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 53 

May 2, 1634 

To Jacob planck, officer of Rensselaerswyck, at Tcxcll, on the ship 
d'eendracht 

2 May 1634, in Amsterdam 

Enclosed I send you an open letter to the director and council in 
New Netherland together with the protest 54 which ] thought the 
lords directors would have enclosed in their letter; but as they 
could not quite decide 1 send it herein under cover, to read over 
the contents and transmit it thus open in my name, to the director 
and council, requesting an answer to the points therein mentioned 
and, in case of refusal as to the animals, that the enclosed pro- 
test may have its course, lie fore you transmit the letter, copy the 
protest and the letter, and if the matter can in any way be equitably 
settled, prefer peace to trouble as 1 judge also that the directors will 
write likewise to the director and council to do what is right. If 
they had enclosed my writing [it would mean that] they had com- 
pletely granted my request; they have therefore made difficulty 
about enclosing it in their letters, and the work lias been impeded 



61 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.y6b. 
M Should probably be Ittersum. 

™ V.R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.76. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 
" Protest to the West India Company, April 27, 1634, printed on p. 290-92. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3OI 

somewhat also because Mr Vogelaer 55 has resigned his commis- 
sionership 56 of New Netherland. Herewith, vale. 

N. B. That I have also kept here a copy of the protest with the 
report of the notary, placed with other papers of mine which I have 
kept here. Memorandum. 



Arbitration of accounts of Pieter Bijlvelt and Kiliaen van 

Rensselaer 57 

June 21, 1634 

After submission of the case at issue between Mrs bylevelts, 
plaintiff, and Mr Kiliaen van renselacr, she claiming the sum of 
80 guilders in payment for a cow and also 50 guilders as balance of 
a larger amount in the matter and transfer of a farm with its ap- 
purtenances on the Manhatas in New Netherland, the underwritten 
arbiters have rendered the decision that Mr renselacr shall pay 
Mrs Bylcvclt the sum of 90 guilders, once, and that therewith the 
open account shall be liquidated and settled once and for all. In 
witness whereof this has been signed, 21 July 58 1634 at Amsterdam, 
[signed] M Paauzv 

Hendrick Hoochcamcr 

I, the underwritten, hereby acknowledge having received from 
the hands of kiliaen van Rensselaer the above stated sum of 90 
guilders and thank him for the due payment of all that was still 
outstanding between him and my husband pietter piettersen bij- 
levelt. Done at Amsterdam this 25th of June 1634. 

[signed] gertruijt bijleuclts 
36 Rd at 50 st f9o 
[Endorsed] Papers of Pieter Bijleveldt concerning the cattle 

bought of him. 
1634 : 25 June 

P r : Bylcvclt . . . iep 



83 Marcus dc Vogelacr, director of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam 
DcLaet, Iaerlijck Verhacl, introd. 
00 Commhchap. 
" V. R. B. Mss 10. 
58 Probably an error for si June 1634. 



302 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Examination of Bastiaen Jansz KroF' 
June 30, 1634 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Examination of Bastiaen Jansz Crol, former director of New 
Netherland, being- 39 years of age, conducted at the request of 
the patroons by Notary Justus van de Ven, at Amsterdam, the 
30th of June 1634 

1. In what capacity, and for how long he was in the service of 
the West India Company in New Netherland. 

He states that he set out as comforter of the sick and made a 
voyage and stay of yy 2 months in that country. He went out for 
the second time in the same capacity, and after he had been away 
about 15 months, he was appointed to the directorship at Fort 
Orange on the North River and held the same for three years. 
The third time he went out again as director of Fort Orange and 
to the best of his recollection served again for about two years. 
After which he was elected director general of New Netherland at 
Fort Amsterdam on the island Manhatcs, lying at the mouth of 
the aforesaid North River also named Mauritius, and served in this 
office 13 months. 

2. Whether, when residing at Fort Orange, he did not hear from 
the chiefs of the Maquaas that there had formerly traded with them 
a certain Hans Jons': Hontom, who had first for skipper Jacob 
Eelkens, whom he later employed as his supercargo. 

Yes. 

3. Whether a misunderstanding did not arise between himself 
and Hontom, who had taken prisoner one of the chiefs. 

Yes. 

4. Whether, although the ransom was paid by the chief's sub- 
jects, Hontom, in spite of his promise, did not emasculate the 
chief, hang the severed member on the stay and so killed the 
Sackima.* 50 

Yes. 



••This document was not in the Van Rensselaer Bowier collection when placed in the 
hands of the present editor. Tt is printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 8:287-89. as 
Appendix II to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck under the 
title: IntcrroRatoir van Bastiaen Janss Crol, gewesen dircctcur in Nicuw-Nederland, 
oud 39 jaren, ten versocke dcr patronen, gehouden door den notaris Justus van de Ven, 
te Amsterdam, den 30 Juni 1634. 

80 Dutch for sachem, chief. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3O3 

5. Whether in 1633, while he, Crol, was still director of New 
Netherland, the above named Hans Hontom did not come in the 
capacity of director of Fort Orange and councilor in New Nether- 
land. 

Yes. 

6. Whether he did not see that a month after the arrival of 
Hontom, there had also arrived Jacques Eclkcns, coming with his 
flute 01 from London, and whether he did not at once go up the 
river to Fort Orange. 

Yes. 

7. Whether he was not asked by his successor, the new director 
van TwiUer, to go again to Fort Orange in the service of the W. I. 
Company, in order to prevent Eclkcns from trading there. 

Yes. 

8. Whether, when he came up there, Jacques Eelkens was not 
already there and trading in a tent he had erected behind Castle 
Island on the mill creek. 

Yes. 

9. Whether the sloop of Eclkcns was not lying directly in front 
of the wall of Fort Orange and trading there. 

Yes. 

10. Whether he [Crol] did not station himself with his boat in 
the Maqnaas-kil above the fort, in order to cut off the Maquaas 
from reaching Eclkcns. 

Yes. 

11. Whether on the following day, Hontom did not come to tell 
him that he might as well go away as he could manage the matter 
himself. 

Yes. 

12. Whether Eclkcns did not go often to the fort and whether 
Hontom did not often cat in the tent. 

Yes. 

13. How long Eclkcns traded there. 
Four to five weeks. 

How many skins he obtained. 
About 400. 

14. Whether he, when he was at Fort Orange, was not present, 
when Saggodryochta, head chief of the Maquaas, came, and seeing 



,;l Flute; a long vessel or boat, with flat ribs or floor limbers, round behind and swelling 
in the middle. 



304 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Ho 11 to in, at once packed up his skins and rising up, said, " That 
man is a scoundrel, I will not trade with him." 
Yes. 

15. Whether soon afterwards, the Company's yacht dc Bevcr 
was not burned by the savages near Fort Orange. 

Yes. 

16. Whether the tribe of the Macquaas, shortly before he left 
Fort Orange did not tell him, as he understood their language, 
that they would kill the said Hans Jorisscn Hontom the rirst time 
ihoy should find him alone, and whether he had not warned Hontom 
about this. 

Yes. 

What answer Hontom made thereto. 

" That the Macquaas might do their best," or something to that 
effect. 

17. Whether, on the 20th July, 1633, as he, Crol, lay ready to 
sail for the fatherland, a Mahican savage, named Die hop, did not 
come bringing the tidings to the island Manhates, that all the cattle 
in the neighborhood of Fort Orange had been killed. 

Yes. 

18. Whether the director Pieter Minuict, the predecessor of Crol, 
had not ordered Cornells -ran Vorst to keep two of the four young- 
cows which were with calf. 

Yes. 

Where this happened. 

In the house of Cornells van Vorst at Pavonia, in the presence 
of Pieter Bijlcvelt and shortly before the departure of Miuuit. 

19. Whether Andries Hudden, coinmis of stores, did not also 
furnish a cow to van Vorst. 

Yes. 

20. Whether JVouter ■van Twiller, director, in March 1633, about 
10 months after the delivery, took away these cattle from Cornells 
van Vorst. 

Yes. 

For what reason? 

Me said lie had bought them from Minuict. 

2\, Whether van Twiller did not give van Vorst three other cows 
in their place. 

Yes. ; 

[Signed] 
Witnesses, Egbert Jansn 

an' bastiaen Janss krol 

Johannes vA. Hulst 



VAN RENSSELAER 130WIER MANUSCRIPTS 305 

Bill of Michiel Pauw to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for his share in 
expenses of patroonships in New Netherlands 2 

July 20, 1634 

The general account of the three patroonships in New 

Netherland, drawn up at the Hague, amounts to £563 it 

to be paid by each, J/j f 187 17 

Mr renselaer advanced f 68 

paid to M paauw f 102 18 

must still pay to the same f 16 19 



fi87 17 
20 July 1634, Amsterdam 

[signed] M Paauw 

Herein is not included what is due and shall become due the 

notary vandcr venne 
1634 the 25th of July, paid to the maid servant of Mr Michael 
paauw in the presence of daniel vandcr Schelden 

6 Rd at 50 st . . . f 15 
Small coin 63 f 1 19 



Total fi6 19 as above 

[signed] daniel vandcr Schelden 
[Endorsed] 

1634:25 June 04 michiel pauw fi6 19 



82 V. R. B. Mss, 9. 
a moneto. 

111 Apparently a mistake for July. 

20 



306 NEW VnKK STATE LIBRARY 

Account of the jurisdictions, management and condition of the 
territories named Rensselaerswyck 05 

July 20, 1634 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Account of the jurisdictions, management and condition of the 
territories named Rensselaerswyck, situated in New Nether- 
land on the river of the Prince Mauritius; communicated in 
writing upon express condition de non praejudicando. This 
20th of July 1634 

Comprising the whole district with all the lands formerly in- 
habited by and belonging to the free, rich and well known. nation 
named the Mahikans, who had a language of their own and in the 
year 1625 would not give up or sell any of the aforesaid lands 
even at the request of the Chartered West India Company. 

But since Daniel van Kricckcnbecck, former couimis at Fort 
Orange, involved and engaged these same Manhykans in needless 
wars with the warlike nation of the Maquaes, their former friends 
and neighbors, they lost in the beginning their general chief 
named Monnemin, and subsequently were so hard pressed from 
time to time, especially by the defeat they suffered in 1629, that 
they resolved in the years 1630 and 1631 to sell and transfer their 
said lands with all their rights, jurisdiction and authority to and 
for the behoof of Kiliaeh van Rensselaer, the present owner and 
lawful possessor of the before mentioned regions, according to the 
respective deeds of cession and transfer of date August 13, 1630, 
and May 163 1. 

First, the free lordship and jurisdiction named Sunckhagag, 
lying on the west side of the river, beginning from Beeren Island 
and extending up to Sniax Island, having along the shore of the 
river about 210 morgens of cleared land now ready to put animals 
on, for raising hay and cultivating with the plow, and extending 



08 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.j7-j<)b, entitled: NarCe van de gercchtichedcn, dircctic 
en 't wesen van de territoircn gen. Rcnssclacrswijck, gelegcn in Nicuw-Ncdcrlant op 
de reviere van d'vorst Mauritius gecommunicieert in scriptis ondcr c.rprcs bedinck de 
non praejudicando. Drscn so July T634. Printed in Hutch in Oud Holland, iSqn, 
8:260-65, as Appendix E to Mi de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 
This importanl memorandum was prepared l>y Kiliaen van Rensselaer for the use of a 
committee of the Chamber of Amsterdam, which was considering the purchase of the 
colonics as a means of settling the disputes which had arisen between the patroons and 
the Company regarding the interpretation to be given to the charter of Freedoms and 
Exemptions. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 307 

two days' journey inland, bought from their chief Paapsickenekas 
with his accompanying councilors and co-owners, Keraptac, Nan- 
koutamhat and Sickcnoscn. ■ Which aforesaid and the other further 
to be named lordships are endowed with such prerogatives and 
privileges as the honorable Michael Panw has stated in his declara- 
tion which, for brevity's sake, it is needless to repeat here, reference 
being made to this declaration for them and such other prerogatives 
as may especially belong to these lordships. 

Secondly and thirdly, the free lordships and jurisdictions named 
Pctanock and Ncgagonsc, the first including all the territory to the 
south and north of the mill creek, comprising also the West Island, 
containing in all more than 240 morgens of cleared land and fertile 
soil, with three farms named as follows, Renselacrs-Burch, Wclys- 
Burch and Godijns-Biireh; that of Ncgagonse, including all the 
lands and two parcels up to Monnemin's Castle containing much 
over 350 morgens of cleared land as above, with the following 
farm called Blommaerts-Burch, everything along the west side of 
the river, and inland indefinitely; bought of the respective chiefs, 
councilors and owners Kottoiuack, Nawanemith, Abantrjciicc, 
Sagiskua, Kannamoock. 

Fourthly, the free lordship and jurisdiction named Scmczccck, 
lying on the east side of the river, bought from the aforesaid 
Nazvanemith, having belonged exclusively to him; containing a 
watermill and farm called de Laets-Burch with a crystal rock and 
several beautiful groves, to which must be added the lands which 
Paapsickennikas at present still possesses and which are ordered 
to be bought, the same containing together 400 morgens of cleared 
land. 68 

Fifthly, 07 the islands of Paapsickenekas with the mainland lying 
on the east shore, bought by Jacob Planck, the 23d of April 1637, 
from the following chiefs and owners, Casehot, OnJiaseme, Kam- 
kehock. Sickcwope, Nosenae and Ochkock, and payment made witb 
scawan, duffels, axes, knives and other merchandise. 

So that the territory of the Mahikans, who in their time were 
over 1600 strong, has all together over 1200 morgens of cleared 
land and far more than 16,000 morgens of mountain and valley, 
forest and marsh, with all kinds of game and fowl, the 1200 
cleared morgens being not only fat, clayey soil of itself but yearly 
enriched by the overflow of high water there when the ice breaks 



08 Cf. note on p. 167. 

87 This paragraph was inserted later. 



308 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and jams. The same lies ordinarily from three to five feet above 
the water, according as the tide runs high or low (and yet it is 
fresh water) and ships of over 120 lasts can sail up there from the 
sea. 

The lands described above having been bought, all possible dili- 
gence was applied to populate the same with Christians, to purchase 
animals and to send thither all kinds of tools and necessaries, 
namely, in the year 1630, in charge of the farm overseer Wolffaert 
Gcrrittscn, besides those who deserted him : ns 

rnlgcr hendricksen van So est 

brant pcclcn vandcr Nieckarck 

beerent Iansen van cscn[cnf] 

roeloff Iansen van mastcrlant 

annetgen Jans, his wife 

Sara and trintgen rodoffs, his daughters with another child 
born before in that country 69 

Clacs clacscn van vlccker 

lacob Goyuerttsen van Ditto 

Zeeger lansscn vandcr nieckarck 
Besides sending 12 ewes with lamb, orders were given to buy al! 
kinds of animals in the country there, so that the aforesaid persons 
had in the year 163 1 established two fine farms, one on West 
Island, named Rcnsselacrsburch, provided with a convenient dwell- 
ing, the sides and gable built up with brick, long and wide as re- 
quired; in addition two hay barracks, each of five poles fifty feet 
high ; also a barn and sheepcote and other necessaries. Eight 
morgens of land were plowed in the year 1632. On the 14th of 
April, 1633, there were to be found thereon : 

6 horses, including 2 mares with foal 

5 head of cattle, including 2 cows with calf 

6 hogs 
16 sheep 

and in the same year were raised 14 morgens of fine winter 

wheat 
2 morgens ditto rye 
4 morgens of summer seed, oats, peas, etc. 



r * At this and other points of the document Mr de Roever has a footnote saying: 
" ITcre follows a part of the names of the persons already given in Appendix- D." For 
the sake of the completeness of the document and because the Appendix D hss been 
replaced by a different list of colonists, the names have here been restored t) their 
proper place. 

69 met noch een kint daertevoorn Int lant gebooren. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3O9 

The house was furnished with all kinds of farm implements and 
necessaries for the animals and for the comfort and support of the 
people and what further was needful. 

The above mentioned persons further established another farm 
in the lordship of Semelzeeck, named de Laetsburch, on the east side 
of the river; but as this house was burned by accident, they built 
again another brick house, 80 feet long, the threshing floor 25 feet 
wide and the beams 12 feet high, up to the ceiling; further, a hay 
barrack of 4 poles, 50 feet above the ground, with barn and sheep- 
cote. They were also provided with a sailing vessel, etc., as men- 
tioned above, and in the year 1632 cultivated 5 morgens of land, and 
in April 1633, the farm was found to contain: 
6 horses, including 2 yearlings 

4 head of cattle, including one ox and one bull 

5 h °gs 
22 sheep 

6 morgens winter wheat 
1 ditto rye 

3 ditto summer grain 
Again in the year 163 1, there were sent thither from here: 

lourcns lourenssen van coppenhaegen, millwright 

berent thonissen van heyligensont 

Maryn adriaensen vandcr Veere 

lysbct thy sen, his wife 

a son born before in that country 70 

Jasper ferlyu vandcr Gouzv 

Jan thyerts van franicker 

Cornells maessen van buermalsen 
Besides the above mentioned persons, all kinds of necessaries for 
man and beast were sent over, including eight heifer calves, of 
which seven arrived alive, also millstones, all kinds of ironwork 
and the like for the erection of a saw and grist-mill, tobacco plant- 
ing and farming purposes; whereof is still in existence the grist- 
mil] where grain is ground for Fort Orange and the country around. 
Item, another dwelling house stands outside of Fort Orange in 
which Marijn Adriaenss is living with his family. They have pre- 
pared an enclosed plot of two morgens in which to sow tobacco. 

In the year 1032, with the knowledge and consent of the Com- 
pany, were bought from Pieter Pieterss Bilevelt and paid for: 

3 horses 

9 head of cattle 



70 een Soon te Voorcn dacr Int Lant gebooren. 



3IO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

3 bull calves and all his farming implements including wagons, 
plows, etc. 
Ditto, bought from Pieter Minuict aside from the animals be- . 
longing to his farm, which he sold to the director, W outer van 
Twiller: 

3 horses 

8 head of cattle and several hogs 
Ditto, taken over from Gerrit Theusen de Reux, the animals 
belonging to his farm, namely : 

4 horses 

4 head of cattle 

2 young heifers 

4 sheep 

4 hogs 

with all the farm stock of wagons, plows, etc., needful for 
fanning, and in addition, of the increase of animals belong- 
ing to him, also purchased, 

i stallion colt 

i young ox 

2 heifers and 50 guilders consideration paid in exchange of 
a cow for a heifer. 
In addition to this, in the aforesaid year 1632, the following per- 
sons were sent over : 

Gerrit mathcussen de reux 

hendrick frederich van bunnick 

Cor ne lis thonissen van meerkerck 

Marcus meussen van Cuylenborch 
Also two or three laborers to be engaged there from those who 
have served out their time, in order to establish with the aforesaid 
animals and their increase three farms, namely, Weelys-Burch on 
the West Island, Godijas-Biireh near the mill creek, both in the lord- 
ship of Petanock, and Blommaerts-Burch near the fourth creek, in 
the lordship of Negagonse. All these three farms would have been 
established in the year 1633 but that, through a misunderstanding of 
Director Bastiaen Janssen Krol who raised the objection that he had 
no instructions from the lords [directors], they were detained at 
the Manhatans. However, as further advice has now come over, 
the said animals and implements will be sent to Rensselaerswyck, 
in order this present year with God's help to establish the three 
farms before named, which was prevented in the year 1633. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 311 

With which firm confidence, the following have heen sent thither 
this year 1634: 

Lubbert Gysberttsen van blarcom, wheelwright 

Divertgen Cornells, his wife 

Gysbert, the us, and Ian, their three sons 

Cornells thonissen van brenckel, carpenter-mason 

hendrick karstenssen van Norden 

Abraham Iacobssen Planck 

and as the officer of Renselaers comes home, sent in his place 
laeob albert tsen planck, to fill the said place and to adminis- 
ter proper justice. 
All the above mentioned persons have heen supplied with their 
proper necessities, as clothing - , provisions and tools, firelocks and 
other needful weapons for themselves, and for the people in that 
country, so that this last outfitting-, with messenger hire and other 
expenses, will alone amount to nearly 3000 guilders. 

From the preceding account, it will be sufficiently perceived to 
what trouble and expense the said patroon has been, what efforts 
he has made, what perils his people and his animals have withstood, 
in what good condition the respective lordships of Rensselaerswyck 
now are, with prospects of annual improvements, and what a 
quantity of grain and animals could be raised on the 1200 morgens 
of cleared land, as good as here the Betuzve 71 or the Beans ter 12 may 
be, there being no doubt but that this present year he will seed 
enough land to produce over 40 lasts of grain, mostly wheat, whereto 
may Almighty God lend his gracious blessing. Amen. 

The said patroon therefore, considering all the prerogatives and 
benefits, only touched upon here in passing and in a general way, 
is most highly inclined to carry on the work he has begun and ex- 
pects the gracious blessing of the Lord upon it in case he is allowed 
quickly and peacefully to enjoy the granted Freedoms and Exemp- 
tions according to their right meaning and content. But if he 
should be hindered therein, he would rather negotiate about the 
undertaking with the Chartered West India Company than oppose 
himself to the Company, if it will agree to offer him such a sum of 
money as he has mentioned before the honorable committee; with 
this reservation, that in case the Company should give the undertak- 
ing up again, he should have the preference in accordance with [con- 
ditio ins I further to he expressed ; if not, that the original of this memo- 

71 See note on p. 6?. 
"'-' See note on p. 63. 



312 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

randum shall be handed back to him without keeping any copy 
thereof or making further publication. And in order that the honor- 
able committee may have still further enlightenment, he refers to 
the map and drawing of the aforesaid jurisdictions and regions 
heretofore delivered to the honorable director Albertus Coenradi 
Burcli and the duplicate thereof which remains with the said 
patroon. 

This memorandum was sent with a letter to the Hague to the 
honorable Johaii Ray, director of the West India Company, and 
member of the committee in charge of this matter, to be re- 
turned by his honor in case no action is taken thereon. And 
in testimony of the truth, signed by my own hand. Date as 
above. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 73 

July 21, 1634 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

JoJian de Laet, at Lcyden 

This day, 21 July 1634, in Amsterdam 
Sir: Enclosed I send your honor a letter to Mr Johan Raye, 
containing a memorandum concerning the state and condition of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck, which I have thought good to send first 
to your honor in order that your honor may read it, and then at once 
without delay send it to the Hague, closing the letter which I have 
left open with your seal. 

The Company delays reply to our claim 73 " delivered to it at the 
Hague. It seems now to be inclined to' come to an agreement, to 
which the combined patroons have consented on condition of re- 
ceiving a reasonable price. I have asked 6000 pounds blemish for 
my colony and would not like to take much less since I have heard 
that our enterprise is in fine condition. Be so kind as not to neglect 
sending this letter to the 1 [ague early tomorrow, Saturday morning, 
as it requires haste and Mr Pauzv has already given in his state- 
ment here. And give me a line of acknowledgment thai your honor 
has received this letter, so that 1 may not he in anxiety. 



n V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.8o. Printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 8:266, as 
Appendix F to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 
7:,:i Pretension and Claim, June 16, 1634, printed in Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 

1:86-88, and O'Callaghan, History of Nrw Netherland, 1: 160-63. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3I3 

I expected to have found your honor at the Hague the last time 
and would then have asked you for the third assessment which the 
other confraters have already paid, your fifth part amounting to 200 
guilders with 100 guilders more for other expenses, being in all 300 
guilders; it would have been much more if I had not received a 
goodly sum for the furs which were brought over on the last trip, 
so that this assessment is not higher. Please send this at once to 
me. I will immediately send your honor a receipt. 

I hope that all our shortage in Swanendael (which has too many 
rulers) will be made up by my colony. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jehan Raye 74 

July 21, 1634 

Mr lehan Raye, at the Hague 

This day, 21 July 1634 

Sir : Enclosed I send your honor the memorandum concerning the 
state and condition of my colony which your honor will please keep 
by you and not communicate further than to the gentlemen to whom 
these affairs are committed as I should not like to see that every man 
had knowledge thereof, for so many men. so many judgments, and 
through lack of understanding an affair is frequently badly spoken 
of and misinterpreted. Please do me the favor also to notify me 
by a line of the receipt of this. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 75 
May 24, 1635 

Jacop Planck, officer of Rensselaerswyck, per Jacob ysbrantsen, 
skipper of dc sevenstar 

In Amsterdam, this 24th of May 1635 

Although at this hour we are still in hope and fear as to whether 
the ship dc Eendracht in which you and my people sailed may be 
on its way hither or whether in coming or even in sailing thither it 
may have perished, each of which calls for its especial consideration 
and remark, and although as long as 1 am not assured of the one 
I have to fear the other, and as long as I receive no advice from you 
as to the situation of my colony I find little about which to write 



V. A'. />'. Mss, Letter Book, 1 6b 

('. A'. />'. M .,-.«, Letter Beak, t - N 1 . 



314 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to you, I can nevertheless not refrain from notifying you by this 
speedily departing ship, which now sails so hurriedly, while at other 
times it has lain ready for six months, that the respective patroons 
of the colonies of Sivanendal and Pavonia have sold and transferred 
their colonies to the West India Company. As it may easily happen 
that they should try to intimate to you that I have sold my colony or 
am negotiating about it with the Company, this will serve to inform 
you that my colony is still intact and that I am still free and in the 
full possession of my freedoms and privileges and, with the advice 
of my confraters and by the gracious blessing of the Lord, also 
intend to carry on the said colony with as much zeal and reputation 
as ever before, and should not have failed to send people and other 
necessaries by this ship if I had been assured of the condition of my 
colony, which I still hope to learn in a few days on the arrival of 
the ship de Eendracht (for which the Company according to my 
judgment should wait a few days longer) ; it will then be necessary 
to send a large ship thither by which I hope to send you of every- 
thing and write more at length. Investigate some time what the 
colony's rights are, as the Company having bought the colony of 
Mr pauiv has been obliged to admit and accept the contracts which 
Mr pauw made with his people concerning the trade in peltries till 
the expiration and end of their terms. 

If then, Cornells van Voorst and his people, whose master sold 
his colony, is allowed to trade, how much more right have you whose 
patroon retains his freedoms and has held them continuously to the 
present, which does not lessen your business but increases it. Only 
have patience for a short period of years ; the Lord will bless our 
undertaking as we have a much better object than the Company in 
this matter, since we seek to populate the country and in course of 
time by many people to propagate the teaching of the Holy Gospel, 
while they on the contrary, employing only a few people, seek only 
the profits of the fur trade and largely deceive themselves, as these 
profits arc still accompanied by losses. Therefore, I trust that the 
omniscient God will bless our good intention in this matter as an 
example for others to follow us. Meanwhile, do your best in the 
fear of the Lord to rule the people in good order and discipline and 
to urge them to diligent work, which I trust you have done already 
and hope to hear at the first opportunity. Meanwhile, remain 
[commended;] to the faithful God, etc. 

I would write to others of my people also, but know not how it 
goes with them. "Please to greet them all for me and write me 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3I5 

at every opportunity by way of Virginia or New England, or by 
whatever people or ships may come there, as we long very much 
[to hear from you], as does your wife, who has also written to you. 
This goes per Jacob ysbransen, who is to be skipper of a sloop and 
is well acquainted with you. Keep on good terms with him and 
with all honest people. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van T wilier 76 

May 24, 1635 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Wouter van Twiller, New Netherland 

This 24 May 1635, Amsterdam 
Per Jacob Usbrandtscn, by the ship dc Sevenster 

Sending you our hearty greetings, we hope that you are well, al- 
though we have not heard from you in a long time, and this must 
be written in haste since the skipper has been notified that he must 
sail early tomorrow morning; things must now be rushed through 
all at once, after they have dawdled at least six months with this 
ship. I wish that they had waited a few days more, now they have 
waited so long, for I hope that the ship dc Ecndracht may arrive 
in a few days, since I have heard from some Englishmen that over 
there, as here, it has been a very hard winter and therefore the 
skins could not arive before the latter part of March, so that the 
ship could not leave there before the middle of April and 14 clays 
from now will be just the right time for it to be here, unless it has 
been wrecked, which may God in his mercy forbid. It is the ship 
dc Ecndracht, which sailed from here in the beginning of May of 
last year, by which I sent Jacob Planck, as officer and commis of 
my colony named Rensselaerswyck, with his son ; and also a wheel- 
wright with wife and three children ; also a carpenter, who is a mason 
as well ; and also a farm hand, besides all kinds of stores of food 
and clothing, farm implements, etc., which equipment has cost me 
about 3000 guilders, so that its [loss] would be a great misfortune 
for me. besides the loss of my time, and practically the decline or 
ruin of my colony. But T hope that it has arrived there safely. 

I wrote by that ship full particulars about all that has happened 
here with reference to you, which the bearer of this, Jacob IJsbrandt- 



78 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.8ob-8i. Printed in Dutch in Olid Holland, 1890, 
8:290-92, as Appendix J to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



316 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

sen, will also tell you. He has always defended you, as you can 
see from his declaration, which I sent by de Eendracht. Therefore 
favor him in return, where you can do it with propriety, since ht 
deserves it. 

If de Eendracht has been wrecked in coming- hither, many return- 
ing people must have gone down with her. We must trust to the 
Lord for the outcome. The directors are very much alarmed. 
They do not know what may be the state of affairs over there, since 
they have received no letters from you by way of Virginia or New 
England. Many complain bitterly, saying that you have chartered 
the sugar-bark to the English, which they heard from some English- 
men, and now they are the more displeased since you might for want 
of de Eendracht have sent over this bark to bring news. To sum 
up, the work here is quite unsettled. 

The Company has bought out the two colonies Swariendal and 
Pavonia, but my colony is still intact and I am in the full posses- 
sion of my freedoms. Neither am I negotiating with them ; if any 
one should so report, believe it not ; I am in full possession and am 
determined with my confraters to carry on the work with more 
courage than ever before, if the colony yet exists. I would indeed 
have sent people and necessaries now, but I do not know in the least 
how matters stand there. Many believe that everything in that 
country is entirely destroyed, people as well as cattle, though I still 
have better courage and a better opinion of the affair. Mr Pan:,' 
has sold his colony, as stated ; but the Company has been obliged to 
allow his people to trade in furs during their time, according to his 
understanding and agreement with them. How much more right 
to such trading, therefore, have my people, whose patroon still holds 
his full jurisdiction and freedoms. It seems to me the Company is 
taking a strange course in New Netherland affairs and that ere long 
they will be obliged to lease the fur trade to others who will manage 
it better ; or else, the whole will go wrong. They want to economize 
by having few people and they can not keep the land in that way. 

They send no commis with this ship, but late this evening engaged 
Gysbert op den Dijck as " assistant." Many would like to have had 
Dirck Cornells::: Duyster as commis, but others feared thai Hontom 
would then have to leave, and therefore they countermanded him 
this evening. I hope that he will yet be engaged, if de Eendracht 
brings good tidings, so that they may have to send no other 77 ship 
this year. 

' 7 I think that here " yet another " must be read. N. vu. R. 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 317 

I know nothing' more to write since I did so at length by de 
Eendracht. I recommend to yon the welfare of my colony in so far 
as the service of the Company will permit, which is unnecessary to 
specify, as yon know it better than myself. 

I wait with great patience for the arrival of de Eendracht, which 
I hope will make ns greatly rejoice with the news that all is well 
in the land. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Coenraet Notelman 7 * 

January 10, 1636 

Coenraat Notehiuin, at Tiel 

This day, 10 January 1636, in Amsterdam 
After wishing your honor and your wife a joyful and happy new 
year through Jesus Christ, our only and complete Savior, amen, 
these lines will serve as answer to yours of the third instant re- 
garding our difference concerning the animals of the farm of ger- 
rit de Reux. I notice your statement and the advice which my 
nephew Wouter J 'an Twillcr is supposed to have given. I will 
quietly pass it by rather than administer the rebuke which it de- 
serves 71 ' for neither he nor you have grasped the situation in the 
least, which I will hereby explain. As far as the affair of gerrit de 
Reux is concerned, this is not a question between you and me but be- 
tween me and the West India Company, who through their agents 
have prevented me from transporting my animals to my colony, not 
only those of gerrit de Reux but also those of pieter bylevelt, on the 
ground that they sold the animals to the former as well as to the 
latter on the 15th. of January [630, as stated in a special letter of 
>aine date to the director and council in New Netherland and this 
upon the conditions agreed to on the eighth of January of the same 
year with woiphert gerritsz and Claas Cornells-, in the name of all 
the farmers of the six farms. You fight therefore against your 
own shadow in alleging that in your country the first purchase ought 
to stand as it does in our country, 80 and consequently you pronounce 
your own sentence, since gerrit de Reux from the aforesaid 15th of 
January 1630 was the purchaser of the said animals and has not 



w J '. K. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.82 

'■ .vi7 liever met discretie het selue suppcrteeren als na merite deprehendeerej literally, 
will rather quietly suffer the same than attack it as it deserves. 

80 alleger»nde de voorCoop in u lani gelyck sij oock doet in ons lant beh<A>ri voorl tc 
eaan. 



3l8 NEW YORK. STATE LIBRARY 

pretended any after purchase. 81 Although he had paid the first 
term, I left him the animals as belonging to him, while in the con- 
tract made with me he also stipulated that I should return his ani- 
mals to him in my colony where he would settle. This affair is 
clear and I shall know how to get my indemnity for detention in 
this matter by the Company or their agents, but this does not con- 
cern your honor in the least, either for or against. That he wanted 
to hire himself out to you does not take away his right. It may 
also be that he does not understand his own rights or that the agents 
of the Company have not correctly communicated to him the con- 
tract of the farm and sale of the animals. As for me, I knew the 
same when later I contracted with him myself, and a year before 
that, when the Company wanted to take his farm and animals away 
from him, I caused them to be put in your honor's name, for my 
behoof as far as the animals were concerned, and for your own be- 
hoof as to the farm, according to the instruments thereof which 
your honor has. It is therefore wide of the truth to say that you 
promised to turn the animals over to me; on the contrary I caused 
the farm to be put in your name because I did not want it for my- 
self, and because I added in the instructions given your honor that 
you should cause the animals and things belonging thereto to be 
sent up the river for my account, what claim to ownership of the 
animals does this give you now and what reason have you for draw- 
ing me into the farm? As to your honor's saying that the animals 
and the farm can not be separated from each other, this can be done 
very well ; it has indeed been done with the farm of bylcvelt, as well 
as with that of gcrrit dc Reux, inasmuch as the company had power 
to eject them from the farms belonging to them but not to deprive 
them of the animals which it had sold to them and which did not 
belong to the Company but to the purchasers, as it was not stated 
in any article of the contract that the animals must remain with 
the farm but only the increase to the number stipulated if they 
should be provided therewith. In short, mon cousijn, the farm is 
yours because I did not want it, as it was of no use to me but was 
to your honor, to whom I gladly yielded it, but the animals are mine 
and my confraters. 

Your honor knew neither of the farm nor of the animals nor did 
you request them of the Company except on my order after I had 
told you that I wished to keep the animals for myself and had the 
instruments drawn accordingly. 1 pray your honor, loll me with 



B1 ende geene na Coop gefingcert heeft. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 3I9 

whom did your honor contract about the farm or the animals, and 
who granted them to you ? I hope that your honor will not depart 
so far from the truth as to take to yourself for your own behoof 
what I caused to be put in for my behoof and more than agreed 
upon with you, of which [agreement] in case of denial I have suf- 
ficient proof ; and in case your honor understands it thus, to wit that 
the animals are ours, I shall gladly and in all equity, even to our 
damage, try to persuade my confraters to treat with you; if not, 
I can do nothing more, as I then told them and stated the case to 
them thus and later confirmed it in my letters and I do not wish to 
alter my word in the least as if I had misinformed them untruth- 
fully. Wherewith ending, Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller** 2 

September 25, 1636 
Woutter Van Twillcr, director 

In the name of the Lord, this 25th of 

September 1636, in Amsterdam 

Mon Cousin: I find myself with your honor's favor of the 31st 
of August 1635, sent to me by the ship d'eendracht, from which I 
learned of your honor's good state of health; we are also, God be 
praised, still well. My wife is in childbed of a young son, 83 whom 
I have named after my uncle Claes van Rensselaer, deceased, so 
that now the names of the three brothers Rensselaer have been be- 
stowed, the youngest having become the oldest. May Almighty 
God let them grow up in virtue to the honor of His holy name. 
Amen. Your father, mother, brothers and sisters at Nieukerck 
were on Thursday last still feeling well also, but the situation at 
Nieukerck is very sad on account of the severe sickness of pestilence. 
Already 700 persons had died there and few houses are free. May 
the Lord preserve them further ; however, it does not stop yet but 
increases daily. Our brother in law Willem van Weelij and his 
wife annaten hoof both died of it. It rages here pretty badly too; 
more than 600 in one week. Many acquaintances have died already, 
too long to relate, but our and my mother's household are still well 
( rod be praised. The Lord grant what is pleasing to His holy will 
and for our salvation in life or in death. Amen. 



8 » V. R. B. Ms.*, Letter Book, f.86. 

83 Nicolaes, or Nicolaus van Rensselaer; in 1675 installed as minister of the Re- 
formed Hutch Church at Albany and the same year appointed as director of the colony 
of Rensselaerswyck in place of his deceased brother Jeremias. 



320 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I should have heen pleased if your honor had in your last letter 
written at somewhat greater length and advised me more in detail 
regarding certain points mentioned in my previous letter. How- 
ever, taking into consideration that you lacked time as the ship was 
ready to sail, it could not be made longer. I hope that next time 
you will write more at length. Referring to my preceding letter, 
which will make this one shorter, I would write your honor at 
length about the very injurious remarks uttered by the former fiscal, 
dincklagen, against your person and especially against the minister, 
but as all the persons sailing on this ship have sufficient knowledge 
thereof I refer [you] to them, who will no doubt relate everything 
to you by word of mouth, especially pieter Cornells::., who knows 
all about it. My earnest request would be that your honor be 
pleased to do everything in your power to obtain from the maquaas 
as much of the indemnity for my animals as is possible and advis- 
able. It seems that they have in view to send another director and 
they might very well employ as such walbeeck, 8 * commander at 
Curacao; however, that matter is still unsettled. 85 The Company 
has much discussed certain points which I proposed to them con- 
cerning the throwing open of the fur trade, but thus far no deci- 
sion has been made; what will come of it, time will show. If they 
wish to keep it to themselves with few people, which is most profit- 
able to them, they can not defend the country, and with many people 
they suffer loss; and others will not care to populate the country 
unless they have the free trade. 

September 29 — While writing this, I receive your favors of the 
22d of March, the 12th and 15th of August 1636, sent by de Seuen 
Starra, which I shall answer hereafter. The Company complains 
very much that your honor writes so little, of which I also warned 
you in my last letter. I do not know the reason why you are so 
negligent about that ; they say that you do not even mention Da 11 id t 
pieteress and his ship which sailed thence with de Seue sterre. You 
surely ought to have done that, and further they say that they have 
little advice how everything is getting along there. If your honor 
hesitates to write to the full assembly, 80 at least do not neglect the 



"Johannes van Walbeeck; sailed from Holland May 4, 1634, in charge of an expedi- 
tion .sent by the Wesl India Company in seize the island of Curacao and took possession 
.,1 the island in August of that yea. . Before this expedition lie served the Company 
in the capacity of Politique Raedt, political councilor, in Brazil. He Laet, Taerlijck 
1 'erhael, p. 430-38, 484- 

85 raauw; literally, raw. 

w> Jndien VE schreupelues is aende voile vergaderinge te schrijven. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 32I 

gentleman who remains fairly favorable to your honor, for he can 
easily protect your affairs if he understands them, as the whole 
work devolves largely upon him, and do not be too headstrong 
in this matter nor depend too much on yourself. Is it not fair that 
the masters get some satisfaction from their servants? And if 
there are some who are rude and indiscreet, I do not think that the 
Company in their letters written to you and to the council have 
overstepped the bounds of propriety and decency, nor can one 
charge the whole body with the action of some impertinent mem- 
bers. This by way of information. 

I see that your honor would like to succeed to a share in my 
colony and to have me buy for your account the share of the heirs 
of Godijn. If I had known this a little earlier, I should no doubt 
have succeeded, as this share was publicly sold on the 21st of August 
in the Orphan Chamber here, 1/10 share to Jacob and hendrick trip 
[and the other 1/10 to me] for the account of a good friend stia whom 
I am not allowed to mention. If this friend should give it up, and 
he is thinking the matter over and has not yet given me his answer 
of yes or no, there would still be hope for your honor to obtain the 
same ; however I think that he will keep it, of which we will speak 
more fully at our meeting, if the Lord saves our lives. I request 
nevertheless that your honor make every effort to buy as many 
animals for my colony as you can get and to send some of your 
surplus thither too and to cause some separate farms to be estab- 
lished. I hope that we shall come to a good agreement, which 
will be more profitable for you than to stay at the manhatans, and 
as the time has gone by to advise you of everything at length as I 
have done to Jacob planck, [I must content myself] with sending 
you the enclosed documents from No. 1 to No. 13 and with asking 
you to assist my people as well as the people of this ship as much as 
is consistent with the service of the Company and your honor's in- 
structions. I should have liked to send a larger ship, provided the 
Company had helped me a little and sent people and goods by it also, 
but they declined to do so. I must have patience, the Lord can 
bless [my work] that meanwhile it may become greater. I see that 
the animals have in part been sent up the river; I hope that the 
rest will follow also. I have ordered Jacob planck to take up the 
suit again and given him instructions because I have suffered force 
and violence, as you read in the enclosed papers sent to Jacob planck. 



s,m Albert Coenraets Burgh; see p. 334. 
21 



322 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Notelman has been a harmful person to me and it becomes a 
great question now where the Company will get their payment and 
increase. As to the payment of the purchase money up to f6oo, I 
must supply this money, as Gerrit de Reux has made the first pay- 
ment. The increase I can not furnish for I have not used them, but 
notelman. According to the inventory 87 of the Company there 
has been no increase, as Notelman has delivered no more than he 
received and the contract with the farmers stipulates that they must 
deliver the increase if they have any. Notelman must also pay the 
rent for the three years, with which I never was concerned in the 
least. He has been looking for favors 88 here for 8 or 10 months and 
been a burden to me and is as far now as he was in the beginning. 
I think it advisable to keep a farm for me at the Manathans ; please 
look after that and make arrangement for it. 

In your preceding letter I find some obscure reasons of which 
we shall speak further at our meeting, God willing. Dirck Corssen, 
the supercargo, has orders to erect if necessary a shed at the Man- 
hatans to store our goods in. It can be put on the farm which I 
shall keep or even the barn may be used. He has orders to pay to 
your honor the Company's dues of everything in which he deals, 
in conformity with the 13th and 16th articles of the Freedoms (the 
15th article concerns the colony and not this ship and goods, in 
which we have a half interest too) ; and I do not in the least desire 
to have trouble with the Company but wish in everything to regu- 
late myself according to the Freedoms granted. My wife has 
received the cunning little animal ; 89 it is with her in the room and 
she thanks your honor very much for it. The raven sent by D'een- 
dracht has died, nevertheless I thank you for the favor. I see 
with what kind of people you have had to deal from time to time ; 
however, do right and the lie will not stick. This skipper says many 
bad things. In fine, it is a confused affair which can not be cleared 
up without your honor's presence. Do not neglect to advise me as 
to the actions and comportment of Jacob planck, wherewith I 
shall end, commending your honor to the protection of Almighty 
God ; may He let us come together in love. 

' M Mon Cousin. After finishing the above letter, the enclosed 
agreement was made with Noottclman by the mediation of the un- 



m acte; literally, authentic document; the word has a very general meaning. 

88 heeft hier liggen hengelen; literally, has been angling here. 

84 het aengename beestgen; literally, the pleasing little animal. 

80 This postscript is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 323 

derwritten arbiters, which you may therefore cause to be recorded, 
in order to charge me with no more than I am obliged to give. 
His defense has been based mainly on the resolution 01 of the Com- 
pany ; the Company may see then too where they get their due. 
Herewith goes a plain copy of the instrument, time does not allow 
to have it authenticated but it will appear from the letters and also 
from the books here. Please to insert this letter also among the 
papers of Jacob planck, after you have read it and made a copy of it. 
Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 02 
October 3, 1636 

Jacob Planck, officer and coniiiiis in New Netherland 

This day, 3 October 1636 

These presents, going by Pieter comelisen van Munnekendam 
with the ship called Renssclaers Wyck, which has been equipped by 
me and my confraters largely for the service of my colony, will 
serve first to advise you of the receipt of your letters of October 
10, 1634, and July 3, 1635, from the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
and of August 17 and 27 following from Fort Amsterdam, together 
with the account of goods sold to that time, of which I expected 
the continuation by the ship de Scvensterre, by which I received 
yours of the 24th of July 1636, written from the aforesaid colony. 
That letter, being very short and containing little information, doe? 
not include the said continuation of the preceding account, much 
less any account of the profit or loss of each farm in particular 
and of the colony as a whole, of the goods delivered to the Com- 
pany, or of the number of animals living and the increase in detail, 
but only in general that there has been a fine increase, which is cer- 
tainly pleasant; but if I am to keep the administration of the colony 
here and to send you people and goods, as I am doing herewith very 
liberally, I must have somewhat fuller and better information. To 
do this with order you must keep a regular diary of daily happen- 
ings and note everything that is remarkable and send me the same. 
You could renew this every six months and send me a copy thereof 
at every opportunity. If you do not like to have me forget you. 
you must on your side not forget to advise me of everything cor- 
rectly and at length. I find, it is true, a memorandum of animals 



01 actc. 

n V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.82b. 



324 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

which I had in October 1634, but no list of the increase which oc- 
curred about May 1634, nor of those in the year 1635 and now 
lately in 1636. 

You write, it is true, how many cows and calves you have taken 
with you lately from the Manathans, but not how many still remain 
there. You must take better care hereof and not be negligent; 
neither you nor I will lose thereby and you will notice at what ex- 
pense and with what zeal I follow this matter up and take it in 
hand. You have also done quite amiss herein that you have given 
Rutger hendricksen, Cornells Maesscn and others their final ac- 
counts against me which I had to pay too, while on the other hand 
you send me no information as to the goods which they or you have 
delivered in my name to the Company, from which I have received 
nothing either. 

Therefore do not do this again but follow therein this order — 
settle accounts first with the director [to see] how my account there 
stands and send me a copy thereof; and if such can not be done as 
it ought, at all events have my men who come over draw on the 
director and on the West India Company for the money which they 
send home, for I do not want to have the men draw on me and 
deliver their goods to the West India Company, from which I can 
not get a decision, much less money. Be careful about this, other- 
wise I shall be obliged to make other arrangements. Further, as 
the director has several times and lately once more seized all my 
grain and wheat for the use of the men of the Company, to whom 
I am not bound to deliver except at my pleasure, whereby I not 
only lose this advantage that I could have sold the same at a much 
higher price to the English, as the men of Cornells van voorst do, 
but also that, inasmuch as according to article 15 of the Freedoms 
I have the right to trade these which beyond question are products 
of the soil, I could have sold them for peltries, therefore, to remedy 
this matter, I shall request you to submit to the director and coun- 
cil (without prejudice to my general right to trade all sorts of 
merchandise for peltries, now awaiting decision by the high and 
mighty lords the States General, lawfully referred to them, after 
previous resolution and submission, by the Assembly of the XIX 
and the respective patroons, and in no wise decided' to the disad- 
vantage of the patroons but still pending with great likelihood of 
turning out in favor of the patroons, as their High Mightinesses 
would no doubt be very glad to see those regions populated) that 
the aforesaid director and council, in consideration of the fact 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 325 

that I have fed their men, allow me to obtain so many peltries by 
barter for other merchandise as the said grain, animals and other 
goods that I have delivered to them may amount to ; and in case 
they should refuse this at Fort Orange as well as at the Manathans, 
you will not let them have any grain or other products of the soil 
except for payment and prompt satisfaction by so many skins as 
the goods are worth, with a proper discharge and guaranty that 
the same will be sent to me without any hindrance or molestation 
by the Company, for their men have been fed in their need and 
their ships provided which otherwise could not have come across, 
so that their ships, men and peltries must have remained there to 
the extraordinary loss of the Company. Draw up this paper to the 
director and council as firmly as you can and follow therein as 
much as possible the words which are written above and send me a 
copy of it together with the reply given by the council thereto. 
These things being thus disposed of, I now come to the answering 
of yours aforesaid, as you will in the future also punctually read, 
observe and answer mine. 

1 see that the brandy wasted very much, have therefore sent 
none herewith, and that half the cheese spoiled; I hope that this 
will arrive in better condition, as it is colder and later in the year. 
I see what a great friend of the patroons Fiscal Dinxlaccken proves 
himself by stirring up his special and secret masters; yet they 
could not help him enough, however much they would have liked 
to do so, to enable him to obtain the salary claimed for the entire 
time that passed, as he received only salary for the length of time 
that he was in active service. Now he is busy complaining to the 
States General, as his party stays out [of power] so long, that the 
Company should pay him, 1 ' 3 but instead of [paying him] money I 
imagine that the Company will write something else to the States 
General about his impertinent proceedings. 

Herewith I send you in God's name goods for the account of my 
colony, amounting to f_|.ioo according to the enclosed bill and in- 
voice, which you will employ to the best advantage ; and as J 
bought them wholesale for cash [and the above amount does not 
include] any expenses of packing, boat and lighter freight, freight 
across the ocean, interest, risk, insurance, damage, etc. (not even 
your commission of one stiver on the guilder, which amounts to 
one stiver and a half with the 50^ added), you must sell such 
goods as can stand it somewhat higher than 50^ profit, but above 



l ' 3 alsoo syn party e soo langc wtblyft dattc Compc : hem sonde betaelen. 



326 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

60$ I do not want to tax my own people, who must earn it by 
their hard labor. As far as others are concerned I do not have to 
care, you may take as much as the market price and as you can get. 
Herewith go also 38 persons whom I have engaged for my colony 
under binding contracts for fear some of them should fail to con- 
form to the accompanying conditions and contracts as well as [to 
repay] the money which I have furnished them both as advances 
and for the passage, which you must all duly enter in conformity 
with the enclosed list amounting to ^27. You must distribute 
these people to the greatest service of the colony, each one doing 
that which he is best able to do, charging the accounts of the 
farmers with whom they are placed with the money to them [the 
new colonists] in hand paid as well as the passage money, especially 
the money for board on the voyage, at six stivers a day as long as 
the voyage shall last, for there is no reason why I should engage 
the people with difficulty and why they [the farmers] should reap 
the benefit of it. These two farmers who have been very helpful 
to me, namely Cornells Maesscn and Symon walichs, you will give 
a fair choice of the men who are coming, but in such way that they 
do not select all the best men, for others must have something too. 
Cornells thuenissen van brueckelen or broer Cornells you will con- 
firm in the possession of his farm on the terms of Gerrit de Reus 
provided he conducts himself according to the ordinances and laws 
of the colony and sees to it that I have what is mine and that he 
takes good care of the animals. Cornells Maesscn and Simon 
Walichs you will provide with as many animals as can be supplied 
from the increase of others. And in case they should wish to settle 
on Pacp Zlckcncs land, which I think has not yet been bought, make 
every effort to purchase the same or at least to cause the farms to 
be established there with the consent and will of the owners. And 
as it may well be that Lubbcrt gysbertsscn rademaecker has a farm 
also and as the animals are somewhat few in number, especially 
the cows, you must see to it that they accommodate one another and 
do not draw the lines too tight. It is true that the first are entitled 
to their full number, but they must also act so that when their time 
is up, they may again obtain a new lease. 

I see by the dispute which you have with Gerrit de Rcux that 
others will follow. I haw represented here to Cornells maesscn 
and Simon Walichs that I wanted to make no change in the con- 
tract with Gerrit de Rcnx, but although it was only neglect on my 
part that I did not fix the price of the grain as well as that of the 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 327 

animals, I will nevertheless carry out the contract as it stands with 
this understanding that, if they should undertake to fix the market 
of their grain too high for me, I will then insist hard also on the 
first article, prohibiting them from trading in furs in any manner, 
which they in no wise are allowed to do even for products of the 
soil. But if they act decently and deliver me their grain at a rea- 
sonable price that I may make something on it, you will in my name 
permit them also to purchase yearly for the products of each com- 
plete farm the number of 10 or 12 merchantable skins as their 
share, which is already a fair profit, and in God's name enter into 
an agreement with them respecting the matter and send it to me 
for my approval. I can not write to every one of my people, but you 
will read herefrom to each of them my intention as far as it concerns 
them in particular or in common, and where it does not prejudice 
me give each a copy of the part that relates to him. 

Pietcr Comelissen van Munnickendam with Claes Ianssen van 
Naerden and albert andriessen van fredrichs stadt have entered into 
a special agreement with me according to the contract sent here- 
with, 94 so that they will dwell apart with their men and goods ; 
nevertheless they must conduct themselves as subjects of the colony 
and submit themselves to the common laws. I have appointed Pie- 
tcr Comelissen as councilor and schepen to take his place beside you 
with order to appoint others according to the instructions taken 
with him, 95 the original of which is enclosed. The points men- 
tioned therein which concern you, you must observe a? i( hey had 
been put in your own instructions. 

Said pietter Comelissen with his men will in every way assist 
you in erecting houses for the farmers and for others for whom 
I am bound to do so under contract, at the least cost and as soon 
as it shall be possible for them. Meanwhile, you will have to make 
provisional arrangements as to where each shall live and where and 
how they shall be provided with food ; also keep a watchful 
eye that I lose through no one and what they can not gain at first, 
that they do that later, if it only goes forward and not backward. 
As far as the freemen are concerned, you will accommodate them 
as best you can and assist them to earn their bread with honor, and 
see that each one according to his thrift may prosper a little in order 
that others may not be discouraged but attracted thereby. 



'•" Sec p. 676-77. 

•• Ick hebbe Pietcr Comelissen gestelt als raet en schepen, omme naest vl sin plaetse 
te hebben, met ordre omme mcerder getal te qualificeren volgens Instructie hem 
medegegeven. 



328 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

You will also before all things promote piety and take care that 
means be found to send a minister over, as is stated at greater 
length in the instructions to Piter Cornelissen; meanwhile cause 
the people to assemble every Sunday to train them in the command- 
ments, the psalms, the reading of the Holy Scriptures and Christian 
authors, in modesty, love and decency. 

And as the equipment of this ship ran too high for me, I granted 
Gerrit de fore est a half interest in it (aside from the goods and 
the people of the colony) in conformity with the enclosed contract; 
you will therefore also keep a watchful eye on it and with Pieter 
Cornelissen represent my person to assist them with word and deed 
as more fully mentioned in the instructions to Piter Cornelissen 
herewith enclosed. You can infer from all that is said above that 
the prospect for you personnally is fine upon increase of these 
things, but this you must know that if your profit and honor grow, 
your care must increase also, for one can not go without the other. 
Therefore, read and reread all my papers carefully, put your mind 
and thoughts upon them and do not let it blow lightly past but show 
me results thereof, not only in deeds but also in letters and reports ; 
I shall then be armed against all evil tongues which might want to 
slander you for if you give me contentment and satisfaction, you 
need neither look to nor fear any one else. 

As the lease of the farmers at the Manhatans has expired, make 
every effort to get some animals and the children of Wolfacrtse 
Gerritsen or others in my colony, as the manathans is for the most 
part exhausted and my land still fresh, and while that land rests a 
little they can earn profit on my land and then again go to the mana- 
thans with the increase after [the farms there] have lain fallow for 
some years. 

I send herewith two large millstones to erect, either near the saw- 
mill or somewhere else, a grist-mill to grind the grain not only for 
my own people and the people of Fort Orange, but all the grain 
that I have, in order to sell it ground instead of unground to the 
Company for furs, or to the English for money or other goods. In 
this way a miller can be kept there in course of time and the savages 
will be glad to give seawan or other things for the grinding of their 
corn or at least a good part of their corn. 

The mother of Zeeger Janssen van der Nieckarck, who was 
drowned, asked the account of her son, whether anything was due 
to him or not. Let me know how that matter stands. 



VAN RENSSErAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 329 

As to henrick Kerstenssen, he must first fulfil his contract, as 
otherwise it establishes a bad precedent and I do not want the con- 
tracts made here undone ; but those who have not received wages 
enough and who behave well, I shall at the end of their time give a 
good present and improve in their condition, but that must be left 
to my choice or at least be done with my pleasure and knowledge. 
If Kerstcn behaves well you may give him each year a suit of 
clothes with a pair of stockings and shoes. 

Dirck Cornclissen duuster, coming from farnambuco, was 
drowned near the English coast, so that he will not make the voy- 
age again. It is not at all my intention that the farmers shall give 
the servants higher wages without my knowledge and consent. 
They may do that for themselves but not for me except with my will, 
knowledge and consent ; you will read this to them together. Give 
my greetings to the commis, marttcn Gcrrittscn, and show him on 
my part as much friendship as if I were present. Also to Jeronimus 
la Croix, whose father sends him a small cask with goods and whose 
letters Piter C omelissen has. Tell Gerrit de Reu.v that he must 
give me better satisfaction, for that it does not agree to write of 100 
muddes and to deliver but 25. If you have any suspicion, let each 
farmer deliver you for my half the tenth sheaf on the field un- 
thrashed and bring it where you want it and where you can have it 
thrashed yourself in order to be able thereafter to make the account 
present a somewhat better appearance. You write that the farmers 
treat you disrespectfully. If this happens again, send me proper 
attestations thereof and I will settle that all right, but you must 
not wrong them either or make improper demands, though you will 
execute strictly all that concerns my jurisdiction and that their con- 
tract implies, especially if they should want to give me less than my 
share, and then in addition have the power to promise the servants 
an increase in order to make them keep silence ; that will not do. I 
hope that they will behave better. 

The 63 whole and 18 half beavers I received of the Company 
under bond. I wish that you had sent by this ship the 150 which 
you have there ; the sum total when all is put together would then 
be so much larger and the Company not even consider whether [the 
former shipment took place] long ago or not. I do not want you 
to send me any peltries except with the knowledge of and after en- 
tering them with the director, and if there is any opportunity of 
sending by ships, even by my own ship, you will enter what you 
send in them and pay to the director the duty of the Company, to 



330 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

wit : one guilder per merchantable skin traded in New Netherland 
and five per cent for those from the coast of Virginia, New Eng- 
land or elsewhere, taking each time a receipt therefor from the 
director and sending it to me by the skipper with the invoice of the 
peltries. You have done very well in not sending them by Davidt 
pieterss, but you would have done better by sending them in de seuen 
starra with the knowledge as above. I have received your sam- 
ples ; the crystal is the best. Now that so many people come there, 
take at once a trip into the country to find out whether there are any 
minerals, especially, as I hear, that there is a rock of crystal 96 
above de laets Kiel where the mill stands. Inquire about this some 
time and write me whether there is a great quantity of it and send 
me of the purest, instead of a piece as large as a hazelnut, a couple 
of barrels as a sample. It is said to extend as far as two or three 
leagues upwards. Do not omit either to send me by my ship some 
muddes of grain, that we may have the taste and the view thereof 
here. I see that occasionally you have to spend a long time at the 
Manathans; I hope that this will improve. If Dirck corssen stays 
there, you could turn some duties over to him and I have no doubt 
but he will be glad to do his best. If you do yours also everything 
will go well, and see that I get something too for my great trouble 
and expense, which has ' lasted already so long. The indemnity 
from the Maquaas ought also some day to be collected without get- 
ting thereby into contention or war. It must be done in the name 
of the director below in order that the Maquaas may have less 
feeling against the people of Fort Orange and also against my 
people. If this ship (God willing) makes a good voyage, I hope 
from time to time diligently to continue [sending others] and to 
await the blessing of the Lord, toward which your zeal and fidelity 
can help much also. 

Notelman has defrauded me much with regard to the animals 
but I must have patience. He will have to pay the Company its 
dues for the three years that he has had them, both as to the lease 
and to the increase, and I for the remaining two years, as Gcrrit 
de Reux has paid the first year. And as I must shorten this, I com- 
mend you to the gracious protection of Almighty God that He may 
preserve you in health for a long time and give what is to His honor 
and to the salvation of our souls. Amen. 



M cristal berghe; literally, crystal hill or mountain. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 33 1 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wolfert Gerritsz 97 
October 4, 1636 
La us dco, this day, 4 October 1636, in Amsterdam 

Very obliging, friend, Wolff ert Gerritsz: 

In answer to yours of the 18th of August 1635, I will say that 
I had hoped that you would have come over yourself to dispose of 
your money in my care, of which I have paid 65 guilders to Wou- 
ter van Kermpt, according to the enclosed notarial receipt. I had 
hoped that some of your children would have gone with their ani- 
mals up to my colony, but understand that they have been prevented 
from so doing so by the director and council. However, as the six 
years of the lease are now up, each one may do with his animals 
as he pleases if he pay the agreed increase to the Company. There- 
fore, if you like to sell some of your animals to me or to send some 
of your children with your animals up the river, we will deal with 
each other in all fairness. The Manhatans are mostly exhausted 
and my land is still luxurious and fresh. Some young animals 
could be left at the manathans and the land rest a little and by the 
time the animals are grown up the land would have recovered it- 
self somewhat and have rested. But your honor must do as you 
think best and as is most profitable to you ; wherewith ending, I 
commend you with your wife and children to God's gracious pro- 
tection and remain with hearty greetings. 

List of papers and memoranda sent by Kiliaen van Rensselaer 
to Jacob Albertsz Planck 98 

October 4, 1636 

List of the papers and documents sent to Jacob plahck and en- 
closed with his letter, this 4th of October 1636, in Amsterdam. 

No. 1 Remonstrance to the West India Company and the 
resolutions passed concerning my ship called Rens- 
selacrs wijek. 

No. 2 Payments made to the people who are to go over on 
this ship, amounting to £927:10: — 



87 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.S 
98 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, Li 



332 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

No. 3 Instructions drawn up for pictcr Cornelisz van Munck- 
endam, also concerning the officer and com mis, 
Jacob plane k. 

No. 4 Roll of the people sailing for the colony with some 
memoranda for Pictcr Cornelisz. 

No. 5 Reasons which I have for transporting my animals 
to my colony. 

No. 6 Contract made with Gcrrit dc fore est concerning 
the ship called Rcnssclacrs wyck, with the invoice 
and hill of lading of the goods and estimate of the 
entire equipment. 

No. 7 Invoice and hill of lading of the goods sent for the 
account of the colony of Rensselaerswyck to Jacob 
planch — f4ioo — 

No. 8 Contract with pictcr Cornelisz wan Munckendam, 
Clacs Jansz van naerden, Albert Andriesz van f re- 
rick stadt, concerning the mill company. 

No. 9 Contract with several carpenters, mainly for the mill 
company. 
No. io Contract made with several farm laborers to be dis- 
tributed among the farms. 
No. ii Contract with Cornelis macscn van bnijrmalscn and 

Sijmon Walichs van zvijngaerden, farmers. 
No. 12 Contract made with several free colonists. 
No. 13 Contract with Cornelis Thomasscn van Rotterdam, 
smith ; Arent Steffenier, hog dealer ; with their men. 

Gcrrit Jansz Oldenburch, living at the Manathans, has written me 
several times about getting a farm in my colony or at the Mana- 
thans. If he is able and you can accommodate him, give him a farm 
provided you can get animals ; and if you can not, let him come 
over here and find some servants, after which he can sail thither 
again and by that time I hope that the animals will have multiplied, 
or if he prefers to wait for that there, it is all right too. Do not 
forget to keep him in mind as being recommended and tell him to 
write me further how he has fared. 

Cornelis van voorst may perhaps have some animals to spare 
which he can sell, or some one of his men may see to that. To 
establish farms ( there must be animals. [Try] also [to make 
arrangements \with] Wolphert Gerritsz or his children. Make 
every effort to obtain animals, I shall send people. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 333 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 09 

October 6, 1636 

To Mr Johan de laedtt, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, this 6th of October 1636 

Yesterday, on Sunday, I received your favor of the 4th instant, 
in reply to which I shall briefly say that our ship, God be praised, 
has already arrived at the Texel. Yesterday, the supercargo went 
thither with the papers and they are now waiting only for a good 
wind, which may God grant us. 

There is good company at the Texel lying ready also, notwith- 
standing which we, the participants of the colony, have insured as 
follows, for which the policies are being made out: f400O on the 
goods of the colony going only, of which your honor's portion is 
f8oo; the remaining f200 x your honor must risk, and on our half 
of the ship and goods in proportion, the policies for which have 
been handed to Samuel hoffman in the presence of confrater Blom- 
maert, so that we shall not run so very much risk. I think that the 
insurance will be 6 r / B in going and 6i for the return voyage. 

The ship de Seuen starve has come at the right time, and by the 
good tidings which it brought of the condition of our colony has 
made the people going thither so happy that they go now with re- 
doubled courage. The news which I have is little but good. The 
director (although he was again accused of having delayed the ship, 
which is slander) hastened the sailing of this ship so much that the 
people could not get ready and I could scarcely obtain even a short 
letter from Jacob planck. 

The contents are: 

1 That consent has finally been given to send the animals, which 
have caused so much dispute, to the colony and that five milch cows 
and five calves had already been sent, which means a good deal to 
us. Thereupon I agreed with Not el man, Saturday, by decision oi 
the arbiters, that we shall pay him fi5o and the Company f6oo, 
provided we receive the full number of horses, cows and other ani- 
mals. 

2 That the wheelwright, whom they needed so much, had come 
to the colony from the Manhatans. 



00 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.88. 

1 These " remaining f2oo " seem to refer to the balance of de Laet's share of fiooo 
in the total account of £5027:10 for supplies for the colony. Sec p. 335-36- 



334 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

3 That three farms were complete and their hams full of grain, 
each having- about 30 morgens seeded, mostly with wheat. 

4 That there were enough animals to stock two more farms as 
soon as our people arrive there. 

5 That they had had a fine increase of animals and needed nothing 
but people, who will now arrive to the number of 38, among whom 
are six women and several children, while some still expect to give 
birth on the way. 

6 That Jacob plane k ha 1 150 skins in stock which he intended to 
send by the first ship of the Company, half of which, I take it. 
belong to him, it being but a false rumor that he had sent a quantity 
of skins as contraband by Dauidt pietersz.- 

7 That all our grain of the year 1635 na d Deen delivered to the 
Company, but I have received no account of it. In short, we must 
thank the Lord and can wish nothing better. 

The Company obtained about 8000 skins, which is good for them 
also; however, there was little merchandise left. In advising your 
honor now as to selling a part of your honor's 1/5 share, I can say 
only what I have shown by my own example, namely that the share 
of Godijn was sold in two parts: 1/10 part to Jacob and hendrick 
Trip, who are married to the daughters, for fiooo cash in bank 
specie ; the other 1/10 part I bought also for f 1000 cash and offered 
to leave to Mr Co cnracts if he wants it, otherwise I intend to keep 
it myself, although aside from that I own 2/5 shares therein. He 
has not given me any answer as yet. I promised to let him read 
all the letters and instructions in order that he may be at ease and 
do the same with a good conscience. And in order that your honor 
may be at ease too, I send enclosed the instructions given to the 
crew of the ship. Please to look this over and annotate it if your 
honor has any objections and then with additions show it to Gerril 
de foreest so that he may sign it and send it back to me at the first 
opportunity without fail. Blommaert has already transferred to 
his brother in law adain bcsscls 1/10 part out of his 1/5; what 
your honor must now do or not do is for yourself to decide; if the 
person [to whom you think of selling] could be of service to us. 
I should be the better pleased. Before I could resolve to reduce 
my share, I should have to feel that it was necessary in order to 
have more backing, though we have enough pasture land to divide 
the one fifth shares into fiftieth shares as I think that by conveyance 
we have no less than 150 thousand morgens of land. However, 
I fear that if we expand too much we may become the counterpart 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 335 

of Sivauendacl, as the large number often causes confusion and, 
one pulling this way and another that way, hinder one another and 
are in one another's way, so that I should conclude the fewer in 
number the better ; but your honor must do as he pleases. When we 
got so many participants in Swanendal, then came our confusion. 
I hope that after this we shall not have to provide any more capi- 
tal and that we shall every year receive good returns, which wouf<1 
begin already if we only had the accounts of deliveries to the Com- 
pany. I keep your honor too long discoursing; when you come 
here you will be able to see [it all] more fully from the writings 
and papers which contain everything, especially the letter to Jacob 
planck ; the list of the papers is herewith enclosed. 

Enclosed is the account of the cost of the entire equipment amount- 
ing for your honor's portion to fiS50, and of the colony fiooo. 
Hereto must be added the insurance premium, so that it will be 
about fioo higher; on this your honor can count. Toward this 
your honor's draft furnishes fi200, as you still owed me f300 of 
old, so that there remain fi45o for your honor to pay. I request 
that you kindly send me this amount at the first opportunity, as [ 
have already advanced a good deal hereon and the people are still 
daily making frequent demands for money; but most important of 
all, as Gerrit de foreest has still more than f4000 to pay which they 
all try to collect from me, your honor will please let him know that 
he must make arrangements that I receive the said money this 
week, at least some of it and the rest next week. My own share is 
large and if in addition I have to provide so many thousands for 
him, I should be much embarrassed. He promised me to come back 
here at once or to send money, also to sign the instructions ; please 
have this matter urged on him and that he write me an answer to 
the enclosed. Your honor can have this general account copied for 
him ; he has the detailed account of f7840 -.4 :6 of the cargo, and he 
can have that copied for you in return. I ask you kindly to urge 
the matter strongly on him and in sending back the enclosed instruc- 
tions to let me have your honor's answer and opinion ; in this way 
I shall also be animated to take to heart with greater zeal and 
earnestness our common interest, which now for three months has 
given me no small trouble. I should not like to get into difficulty on 
account of other people's money. Trusting this matter to you, very 
dear and beloved Sir and friend, I shall end, commending your 
honor to the gracious protection of God; may He grant the same 
to your honor and to us all, etc Mr blommaert and Trip have paid 
their portions already. 



33< 



NE> 



IBRARY 



The equipment and the cargo 
The colony 



115476 15 6 
f 5027 10 

£20504 5 6 



The letter to foreest is open, your honor may read it and then 
seal it and have it handed to him. 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 12 
October 6, 1636 

Laus deo, this day, the 6th of October 1636, in Amsterdam 
Monsieur de foreest: 

Yesterday forenoon our people left here for the ship, taking with 
them all necessary papers. The instructions, however, which have 
been signed by me only and must be signed by your people, I have 
sent to Mr de Lactt to have him look them over to see whether he 
has anything to add ; you can do the same and then send them back 
to me signed. 

I am also very anxiously waiting for the rest of the money 
which you still have to provide and which amounts as follows : 



The ship with the equipment amounts to 
The cargo, of which you have the account 
The food stores amount to 



Your half comes to 

The assignment and payment made by you 

when you were here last ^3 l 79 *4 

The duffels sent last f 221 1 



f57o6 3 o 

f7840 4 6 

fi93o 8 o 

f 15476 15 6 

f7738 8 



Total 



Remains 



f3400 
due 



15 



f4337 13 



In the above £15476:15:6 are included all the provisions which 
we have loaded in the ship, toward which there is coming to the 
participants from the passengers 6 stivers a day for three months' 1 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.8c>b. 
Sec p. 343- 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 337 

according to agreement, which will alone amount to more than a 
thousand guilders. We could not well settle it otherwise without 
getting into a great quarrel. It amounts to a little less than 5 
stivers, but they have agreed to pay us 6 stivers on the arrival of the 
ship when we receive advice as to how long the passengers have 
enjoyed board. 

Mr de Lact has the detailed account of the ship and the provisions 
of which he will no doubt have a copy made for you so that each 
one may have the whole in full. 

I am surprised that I do not hear from you about the above 
f4337:i3 which must still be paid, as the people come bothering me 
daily so that I am ashamed and can not put them off any longer. 
You must settle this at once and do not neglect to send me word by 
the first boat how the matter stands, as you promised me to make 
arrangements for paying me at the first opportunity, and herewith 
I commend you to God Almighty. 

You know what trouble I have had ; I ought not in addition to 
suffer the trouble of having the people coming to dun me so. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 4 
October 8, 1636 
Gcracrdt De forecst, at Leyden 

This day, the 8th of October 1636 
Day before yesterday I wrote to you under cover to Mr de Laett, 
complaining that I received from you neither news nor money and 
that the people came importuning me daily. This will happen now 
still oftener as I hope that our ship sailed today in good company ; 
it was most desirable that it should make such speedy progress ; 
may Almighty God watch over it. However, now the ship is at sea, 
one can not delay the people any longer. There is also more risk 
involved for you than you think, inasmuch as of your half share 
nothing has been insured; and if contrary to our hope an accident 
should occur, your partners might dispute and question the affair, 
since I have not been able to discover that you have anything but 
their mere consent and even that disputable. If one will share only 
in the cargo and another only in the ship, you must without delay 
advise me how the matter stands in order that no confusion may 
arise therefrom ; and if there is the least hitch, give me orders to 



* V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.90. 
22 



338 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

take an insurance of four or five thousand guilders on your half; 
and aside from that, if [your payment for your share] does not 
come promptly, I shall he obliged to borrow the money upon bot- 
tomry but that would be a double loss. Do not neglect to advise 
me at once ; the matter is risky and demands haste as the danger is 
largely within the first two to four days ; after that the danger is 
not so great. It should not happen that you send not a word of 
advice for so long a time, so that I have not only the trouble and 
my own large interest, but must in addition be importuned on ac- 
count of your partners. Do not sleep on this but please satisfy 
me and answer at once. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 5 

October 15, 1636 
Idem 

This day, the 15th ditto 

Your honor's letter with the bill of exchange for 480 Carolus 
guilders on van dcr pon I have received and turned over in pay- 
ment. I doubt not but you have already received the receipt but 
of the rest which you wrote me would follow on Saturday I have 
heard nothing. On the strength of it, I have named this afternoon 
as pay day, so that I shall be embarrassed ; I have taken 1000 guilders 
of my money out of the bank and shall see how far that will go. 
Meanwhile, do not neglect to urge your partners not to get me 
into difficulty. I shall name next Saturday as another pay day, when 
they ought to furnish me with the money. According to your ad- 
vice, I have taken 700 pounds Flemish insurance for the voyage at 
6$. If they wish to insure the return voyage also they have still 
time enough to think it over. These 252 guilders insurance pre- 
mium, they must send me also. Let those who have the money 
do so, as the premium must be paid cash or the insurance agents 
begin to trouble. I hope that our ship has already passed the 
Channel and that God Almighty will grant us a happy voyage. 



5 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.90. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



339 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 6 

October 29, 1636 

Joan de laett, at Leyden 

This day, the 29th of October 1636 

Your honor's favor of the 21st instant with the drafts and cur- 
rency, amounting together to the sum of 1450 guilders, I have re- 
ceived and entered on your account. We shall settle all accounts 
at the first opportunity when Geraerd de foreest shall have sent his 
balance, which still amounts to about f400, as all the debts up to that 
amount have been paid. He writes me that he will furnish the 
money promptly, and I doubt not but that he will do as he says ; 
nevertheless, I write him today a short note of reminder which 
your honor can second by word of mouth when you see him. It is 
today three weeks since our small ship sailed. If it has kept the 
wind which we have had here thus far, I hope that with God's 
help it is already more than half way. For your honor's account 
insurance has been taken as follows : 

f4000 f 800 for your honor's 2/10 in 
the goods sent to the 
colony, for the out voy- 
age only, at 6$, amounts 
to 

{2666^/3 f 533 J/3 f° r y° ur honor's 2/10 
in one half of the ship 
at 6i going 

returning: 6i 



f 48 



f 32 



f320Q fi640 7 for your honor's 2 /£ 



m 

one half of the cargo at 
6 r / D going 

returning: 



f 388 



f32 



f 3 8 8 



Total ii973 T A 



Cash 
returning: 



fn8 8 



f;o 8 



Last Saturday afternoon his Excellency Count Maurits^ sailed 
with four ships: Zutpheu, fcrnambucq, tliuus van Nassauw, Adam 



6 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.9ob. 

7 Should be f640. 
s Should be 2/10. 

» Johan Maurits, count of Nassau-Siegen; appointed governor of Brazil, August 23, 1636. 



340 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

en eve; De hecr van Coin and D° Resselerius were obliged to re- 
main and even yesterday had not gone out, so that I do not know 
whether they are out or not, I think they are in ; it is awkward that 
the wind has changed. 

Day before yesterday we came together once more to discuss 
the increase of capital and in the name of the participants made 
three propositions to give them satisfaction. 

i Concerning those who have increased their investment and who 
will still further increase it. 

2 Concerning those who may not increase it. 

3 Concerning all the participants whether they have increased 
the same or not. 

On the first head, that all those who increase shall draw yearly 
8$ dividend on the increase, being 2 r /, on the whole, and that 
each participant to whom the said 2i shall not be paid, may for his 
security levy on the goods of the Company, as those may do who 
have advanced money on interest to the Company. 

On the second head, that circulars be sent to all the participants 
to induce them to make the said increase with such reasons and 
motives as the situation of affairs of the state and of the Company 
may permit ; thereafter that those who fail to respond be called 
upon by further and public notice and finally be specially summoned 
to do so on pain, in case of refusal, of being prosecuted for con- 
tumacy and of having others admitted in their place. 

However, as the terms for the subscribers are so very favorable 
it is taken for granted that no one will fail to take advantage of 
them. 

On the third head, that a certain amount of capital shall be re- 
served for the trade to Guinea and the coast of Africa, to Pernam- 
buco and Brazil, to the West Indies and New Netherland, to trade 
therewith for the profit of the participants, which profits should 
be distributed yearly as far as they go and thereto added the duties 
recently imposed by the Assembly of the XIX on the private 
traders. 

This capital has been fixed at 100,000 guilders. For each ninth 
part 10 merchandise to be bought here for cash, without including 
therein the ships or expenses of equipment, which arc to be de- 
frayed out of the capital which the Company will derive from the 



"'The capital simk of the Company was divided into nine parts, of which the 
Chamber <>f Amsterdam managed four parts, thai <>f Zeeland tw<> parts, and those of 
the Mase, the Noordcr-Quartier ami Stad en Landen, each one part. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 34I 

returns, in such a way that purchases shall be made from the first 
of January on and continue to be made, applying the returns as 
above, to the amount of the aforesaid sum. 

The agents 11 in charge of these goods shall be bound to make 
oath and render accounts to the auditors of the directors and chief 
participants in order to divide the profits thereon yearly as afore- 
said, after deduction of the expenses of equipment, and if any 
goods are lost the same to be made good out of the prizes taken 
by the Company (others think that they should be deducted from 
the profits) ; and in this way, with God's blessing, a sure dividend 
might be declared each year, so that the shares of the West India 
Company would be worth little less than those of the East India 
Company. 

These articles to be drawn up with the formality thereto re- 
quired, to wit : with the knowledge of the respective chambers, the 
chief participants and the Assembly of the XIX and the approval 
of their High Mightinesses. 

This is as far as my memory serves me for I kept no copy 
thereof, but Mr Cotnraets made a note of it. Whether the pro- 
posal will be agreeable to the directors, we shall hear in the course 
of time. I believe that Monday a report thereon was made in the 
Chamber of Amsterdam. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 12 

October 29, 1636 

Ditto, 29 October 
Geraerd de Fore est: 

I have received the remittance of 11542 :I7:8 18 and anxiously 
await the rest as everything but that is paid. In addition you must 
not fail to remit me separately 252 guilders for the 700 pounds 
Flemish which have been insured at 6 r /c, in order that I can pay 
the underwriters cash, as otherwise they are apt to make trouble ; 
of this I can not omit advising you. 



11 Commiessen. 

12 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.91. 

u The third figure of this amount in the Letter Booh is illegible; according to 
p. 344 it is a 4, but adding the sums there given and subtracting them from f773&'-7'-7> 
the remainder is f 1089:18:3, instead of fi 109:18:5, so that the third figure ought per- 
haps to be a 2. As eight duiten make one stiver, the final figure 8 would seem to be 
wrong also. To make the subtraction on p. 344 right it should be a 6. 



342 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 14 

November io, 1636 

Gerard de forecst. The 10th of November. Written again for 
the balance of the account and for the insurance premium of £252, 
[for] which a moment ago a [bill] was presented by the under- 
writers, but he 15 has received no money as yet. Answer at once; 
another time I should be unwilling to take the trouble 10 upon me. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 17 

November 28, 1636 

Gerard de forecst, at Ley den 

In Amsterdam, this 28th of November 1636 

I was out of town for a few days and on coming home find 
yours of the 13th instant, in which you state that you would send 
me the premium money by Santwech or Tortarolis, of which thus 
far I have heard nothing ; I hope that it was not wrongly delivered ; 
you can tell them this in order to straighten out this matter. Also 
as to the rest of the account which is still large and makes me feel 
very much ashamed ; I have great fear that there will be difficulty, 
as you wrote that it would follow the week after your letter and it 
has not come yet. Please exert further diligence and advise me 
how the matter stands, for I can not put the people off any longer 
and I should resent it if I were obliged to borrow the money. 

Touching the West India Company, they thought first of sending 
thither again de Seucn starre which came thence, but then dis- 
covered that it was too small and resolved to send den harinck 
thither via Curacao; however, this will probably not be before 
spring. I think that they will not debate the throwing open of 
the country till then; it would be well if this subject were kept 
alive so that in the next meeting of the XIX, which is to be held 
in 14 days, a resolution might be passed thereon and if the chief 
participants of Leyden should commission Mr de laet to propose 
that something be done about it. 

P. S. If no money comes about the beginning of next week, I 
must seek other remedy for I can not delay the work any longer. 
Vale. 



u j/, ft. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.91. Memorandum in handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 
16 Possibly Joost van Sandwech; see next letter. 
18 rugie ; literally, quarrel. 
« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, 1.91b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 343 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest ls 
December 5, 1636 
Gerard de fore est, at Ley den 

In Amsterdam, this 5th of December 1636 

I have just received yours of the 4th instant and am surprised 
that the wife of heudrick de foreest lu has not communicated to you 
the letters which she received from her husband, as she left here 
Tuesday before the day of prayer. I have received but one letter, 
signed by all three 11 ' 11 of them, which contains less information than 
her letters will probably have. It is all right that one should write 
in the name of all three but in addition each should write separately 
a short letter to me and also to you, which they have not done, and 
as I have not time to copy the letter I send you the original en- 
closed; please read it, communicate it to Mr de Laat and others, 
copy it and then send it back to me at once. It is a great favor 
of the Lord our God that he has preserved our people, our ship 
and goods so graciously in such perils and such long continued 
storm, for which He must be lauded and praised forever. They 
complain about the food, but have not much cause for it as the 
passengers were victualled for three months and eight of my men 
were left on land so that the provisions could last that much longer. 
The 12 men of the crew are victualled for 12 months, which is 
equal to 48 men for three months, so that one with the other they 
have provisions for six months on board, as in New Netherland 
they can supply what is wanting for the crew. They write also 
for money to buy food, which I would send if it would not take 
too long before they get it ; moreover I have no correspondent in 
England. I hope that with this wind they will again continue 
their voyage in God's name and that the Lord may give a good 
result, that they do a good business. The insurance money must 
not be delayed or the underwriters will make trouble in case of 
loss. The other money must not be delayed any longer either ; I 
do not know how I shall draw on jan du foreest 20 for the f8oo. I 



18 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.oib. 

19 Hendrick de Forest was the son of Gerard de Forest's elder brother, Jesse de 
Forest. 

19a Dirck Corssen Stam, supercargo, Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger, skipper, and Hendrick 
de Forest, mate, of the Rensselacrswyck, which sailed from Amsterdam Sept. 25, 1636. 

30 J. W. De Forest, The de Forests of Avesnes, mentions Jean de Forest, son of 
Jesse de Forest; Jean de Forest, son of Jesse's elder brother, Melchior de Forest; Jean 
de Forest, supposed brother of Jesse de Forest; and Jean du Forest of Tourcoing, all 
likely to have been living in 1636. 



344 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

shall inquire what I can do, but the rest must follow. Today I 
paid out so much that I have not ten guilders in the house, for- 
I have no excuse whatever for putting the people off any longer. I 
see that nearly all the trouble comes down upon me, which does 
not distress me as much as that, in addition to the large portion 
which I risk myself, I must also take care of [the payments of] 
others or be dunned for them, which I am not used to. Please to 
arrange for the liquidation [of the account] and in addition I 
ought to have some cash on hand to spend in emergencies like the 
present one. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Foreest 21 

December iS, 1636 

Gerard de foreest, at Leyden 

This day, the 18th of December 1636 

Yesterday I received a letter from S r Joost van Sandtiveck with 
a remittance of ^456:16:4 some days after sight, which has been 
accepted. He says that the same is for the balance of what he, 
Tortarolis and others must provide and asks me to advise him 
whether that balances the account, which I can not well do as I 
have not kept any account with any one individually; you will 
therefore greet him heartily in my name and help him out in Ills 
request. 

First, he says that of the f 1456 116:4, ^ 2I o must 
go toward the insurance at 5$ of f420o; the rate is 
6% and the amount should be f252 ; subtracted from 
the fi456:i6:4, there remains for the equipment 
and cargo fi204 16 4 

he has also remitted f J 54 2 l 7 & 22 

received from Ian du pont f 480 o o 

received from you in cash f 563 15 

for goods furnished, in 15 lots f 2 &57 

The equipment and the cargo according to the 
account sent, though a few lots had been omitted, 
amount to ^5476:15:6; your half is $773% 7 7 



So that there is a balance due to me of fnoo, 18 5 



21 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.92 

--'This amount should probably be £1522:17:6. See p. 341. 







v 3 U r* ^ 

eft) r\ - r 






* ; 
: ) 












^ 



N 



vj 






& 



.5 ^ 



(X! >, <-3 



c h 



U 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 345 

Hereof you have ordered me to draw f8oo on 
Jehan du foreest, which I have not been able to do, 
so that he must send it to me in coin or by other 
remittance, of which you will please notify him f 800 



Remains still f 309 18 5 

Why these f30C):i8:5 fail to come I do not know; you must in- 
form me and S r Santwech about them as he writes that he will 
remit me his balance at once. 

Dirck Corssen Stam, Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger and Hendrick de 
Forest to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 23 

January 8, 1637 

Laus deo. At Jlrercom, 2 * the 8th of January 1637 

Honorable, wise, prudent, very discreet sir, Mr giel Jan van rcns- 
selaer 
Sir : We hereby let you know that we have written to your honor 
and that we have received no reply. We sail at this ebb of the 
tide ; there is a N.E. wind with a foresail breeze. May the good 
Lord grant us luck and a safe voyage. Cornells toomanssen the 
smith has been stabbed to death here by his comrade hans van 
scuehuijsen and hans van seuchuijscn has been taken inland, to wit, 
to exsetter, where he must await his verdict. The matter has given 
us a great deal of trouble, but thank God we are all of us still hale 
and hearty and agree well with one another. We know not much 
to write as we have given an account of all that has happened in our 
previous letters, so that we can not write your honor more at present, 
for there is no news here except that a large number of vessels are 
arriving on account of the heavy storm, which rages all the time. 
Wishing your honor and your honor's family a happy New Year, 
we commend your honor to the protection of the Lord. Amen. 
In great haste, your honor's servants 

[signed] dirck Corsscnstain 



[Endorsed] 
To giel Jacn van rcnssclacr 



Jan tic pk ess 
H De forest 



23 V. R. B. Mss 12. 

w Ilfracombe, on the north coast of Devon. England. 



346 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Jan Tiepkesz Schellinger to his wife, Trijn Janse Bruigh 25 

January 9, 1637 

Praise God above all. From ijlle fakom 26 the channel of 
brusto, 27 1637, the 9th of January 

Worthy, well and dearly beloved wife Trin ijans: 

I let you know that all of us and all my people are still hale and 
hearty, for which the Almighty God be praised and thanked; I 
hope that it may be the same with you, my dear and much beloved 
wife, and also with our children and all our good friends ; were 
it otherwise, it would grieve my heart to hear it. I let you know 
further that we intend to put to sea tomorrow, the 10th, if it pleases 
Almighty God, for we have only now, that is today, obtained an 
east wind and have therefore been obliged to remain here long and 
at great expense for the ship and the people, for which we are 
sorry. We have lain here over seven weeks, but God Almighty 
grant us a safe voyage; I hope that we shall make good the loss. 
My dear wife, you must know that this is the third letter which 
I have written and I have longed much for your reply to my first 
letter, which I have not received for unknown reasons. I beg you 
further, my dearest, that you will take good care of my dear 
children and keep and direct them in all good ways and so that 
they may obey you in every respect ; and if you write, have my 
son gcrrit yansen write to me too that I may see his writing; tell 
him that I wish it. God grant that they may grow up in His 
favor and obtain the salvation of their souls and do you, my dear 
wife, submit yourself to God and serve Him in his Church and 
instruct your children therein, if you please, upon which I set my 
heart; and beware of and avoid what may harm your soul and keep 
yourself from evil if it is possible as I trust in you, my dear, and 
that you will, be an example to your children for good. No more 
of this for the present however; may the Almighty God graciously 
keep you and all of us and grant us a safe voyage. Greet all my 



* V. R. B. Mss 13. 

2 " Ilfracombe, on the north coast of Devon, England. 

27 Bristol. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 347 

good friends and especially my clear children with a friendly kiss. 
Amen, Amen. 

[signed] Jan Ticpkcss dat ick vermachP* 
[Endorsed] 

To deliver 
to the worthy and virtuous 

vrouzve trin ijans brnigh 
outside the riggeliers poocrt at 
the ossemacrckt in the niewetuin 
at Amsterdam 1637. 
Praise the boat. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Gerard de Forest 28 

April 2, 163/ 

Gerard de forecst, at Leyden 

This 2d of April 1637, in Amsterdam 
Although I hope that by this time our people, ship and goods 
have already arrived in New Netherland, I have no word from 
any of the head people as to the precise day when they expected 
to put out to sea, only one letter from a young relative of mine 211 
stating that they would put to sea at the first opportunity, in com- 
pany with two well mounted English vessels. What the cause of 
this failure is, I can not tell but must patiently await their return, 
with God's blessing, to the fatherland. 

As there is still more than 1100 guilders due to me on your 
account, this will serve also to urge you to let me have the said 
money at the first opportunity. According to your wish, I have 
suspended payments for some time ; also I have heard nothing 
of the f8oo of Jehan du foreest, and as I am very much in need of 
money on account of a large quantity of pearls which I have 
bought and on which I can get a rebate as I am allowed to dis- 
count my own note at eight per cent, you will please make arrange- 
ments and, in order that I may know how to regulate myself, 
will advise me at once what I can count on. Further, as I have 
taken considerable insurance on my half of the returns and as 
our people, on account of the great demand which there must be 



'■"* Jan Tiepkesz, that I may be able. 

M V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.92. 

-° Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen; see p. 408. 



348 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

in that country from lack of other ships, may come hither again 
immediately and run great danger from the Dunkirkers since they 
come alone, I should advise you, as I hope that business will be 
good and well able to bear the insurance, to insure for a few 
hundred pounds Flemish, upon which also I shall await your 
answer. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 30 

June 2j, 16 37 

Joost Van Sandwech, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, this 27th of June 1637 

I hope that S r gerrit de foreest has come home from Dclff and 
agreed and made further arrangements with you as to the payment 
of the balance and of the new insurance, as I have contracted with 
him and everything is done in his name and I might get into 
trouble with him if I undertook anything without his orders. You 
will therefore please have him give me orders himself or substitute 
you by notarial instrument to correspond with me in his stead and 
promise to hold good and binding whatever you shall resolve upon 
with me, both with regard to his own participation and that of 
his partners, as to whom I never received proper information to 
what extent and for how much each one participates under him, 
since many changes were made therein. 

I shall therefore await further orders and for the present take 
no other insurance on his half than the 1000 guilders, of which 
I spoke to you, which I have not been able to do yet on account 
of the bad tidings which come daily from the sea, yes, I have not 
even completed the insurance which I meant to take on my half 
and for the colony. I ask kindly that S r gcrrct de foreest take 
care that I get the balance of my money before good or bad tidings 
of the small boat arrive, otherwise we shall get into great dispute 
about it. It is not a question of promising the interest nor of the 
trouble which I have had therewith, but of the participation and 
the participants themselves. Therefore, I ask you once more in 
all friendship to let me know the names of the participants and 
above all that I may receive the money before good or bad tidings 
come. It is inconvenient for me to be in this uncertainty as to 
why this money fails to come wherein I unwittingly may run some 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.Qab. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 349 

risk myself. If he cedes it 31 to you instead of to Jan du foreest 
I am satisfied, but it must be paid before any tidings of the ship 
come. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 32 

August 20, 1 6 j / 

Joost Van Sandwech, at Leyden 

This 20th of August 1637, in Amsterdam 
Some time ago I wrote you for the money which is still due to 
me stating that I was in great need of having it by the last of 
July, now past, to make payments to the West India Company, and 
a few days later Cortakelis' M came here to whom also I mentioned 
it; but to my surprise I have received neither money nor answer. 
Please therefore not to fail to send me this amount, for I am 
ashamed to have kept the aforesaid Company waiting so long and 
besides I must pay eight per cent interest thereon. I hope that our 
ship will arrive very soon, as it has been reported to me that about 
four months ago she was spoken at Capo Charles in Virginia and 
in passing had called out that they hoped to follow soon and had 
sold most of their goods and sold them well, but that they must 
first call on the English at the north and also stop in New Nether- 
land, in order, as I presume, to collect the balance. 34 The wife of 
Hcndrick du foreest, who went from here to Leyden, will no doubt 
have communicated this to you. Let there be no failure about send- 
ing or remitting the money. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 35 

September 14, 1637 

Joost Van Sandwech, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, this 14th of September 1637 
I receive this moment your letter and see that you have pro- 
tested to Jehan du foreest and Touchain de herijon, who replied 
that they had made their payments, which thus far has not been 
done. I am astonished at their impertinence in keeping me waiting 



31 The balance of his interest? 

32 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.93. 
M Tortarolist See p. 344. 

84 de rcstantc tc inncn; literally, to collect the remainder. 

85 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.93. The first three lines, including the words " pay- 
ments," are in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



350 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

almost a year with idle consolations. It is true that last week a 
young man was here saying that he had the money and then that 
he would let me have it in a day or two, which days are now long 
past. I do not know what their intention is ; there is a suspicion 
of bad faith in wanting to be participants without furnishing any 
money and to regulate themselves according to the results of the 
business. Therefore, as the ship is about to arrive, to avoid all 
question, please let me have the balance of the portion of Gerrit 
du forcest according to your letter, in order that the others coming 
in between may not put me again on slippery ice. I must there- 
fore live between hope and fear and can with justice say: Nescio 
quo me vertam. Do not neglect to answer me by way of haerlem 
or at the first opportunity and to send me the money in order that 
I may for once, now it comes to a pinch, be at ease. Trusting to 
your promptness I commend you. 

Tomorrow by the first boat, I expect the effect of your letter; 
it must not be delayed any longer. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam 30 

September 21, 163J 

Piettcr Cornelisen van Munnickcdam, in New Netherland, in the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck 

This 2 1 st of September 1637, in Amsterdam 

Sent by den harinck 
Notwithstanding I have received no letter from you, as my small 
vessel which I expect every hour has not yet arrived, I can not 
refrain from telling you, on the report which I have from Jacob 
ivolfcrscn, who met your son in law 37 at the Maiihatans and told 
me that upon your arrival at the Maiihatans you had immediately 
bought a small yacht or a sloop and at once sailed up the river 
therewith, that you have done very well herein and that I must 
praise your diligence in this matter in which you will please con-" 
tinue. Further, I understand also that you had goods enough at 
the creek or at the falls where the mill was to stand and that you 
had made every effort to get the mill ready for operation (from 
which the profits must come). 



80 F. R. B. Msx, Letter Book, {.93b. 

:,T Syinon Jansz Henypot; see p. 406, 4:3, 417. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 35 1 

I have no doubt that no matter how much lumber you saw, it 
will be sold readily to my people, at the Manhatans, and also to 
the English, both to the south and to the north, who will no doubt 
come to fetch it at your place. And you must pay especial atten- 
tion to this now that your partner Claes Jansen van Naerden, 
who goes by this ship, is to be with you, that together and with 
God's help you find means to build for the chiefs and others of 
the savages houses and huts which they can shut with doors and win- 
dows, to which end you must keep on good terms with the smith, 
that he may furnish nails, hinges, bolts and other necessaries on 
condition of receiving a suitable profit therefrom. The accident 
to my smith 38 and his helper is very inconvenient for me; however, 
I hear that another has come from the Manhatans. 

I am negotiating here with two good smiths, but the time is 
now somewhat short as the ships have already left for the Texei 
and I fear that I shall not succeed this time. I recommend to 
you above all to observe the fear of Go;l, to live in peace with 
one another, to promote the profit and service of your master and 
of yourself; about the blessings of the Lord there will then be no 
doubt. I long very much for your letter ; omit not to write me 
full particulars on all occasions and greet Albert andriesen and the 
others of our people of the mill company from me, recommending 
to them also the fear of the Lord and diligence, wherewith, etc. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 39 
September 21, 1637 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

Wouter van Ttviller, in New Netherland, at Fort Amsterdam 

This 2 1st September 1637, in Amsterdam ■ 

Sent by de Harinck 

As I am daily, yes almost hourly, expecting the arrival of my 

small ship, I have postponed this [letter] till now, because I have 

no letter from you and, when the said ship went out, I advised you 

so fully that now I have no more material. I only have from yon 



** Cornells Thomasz, killed in a quarrel by his helper Hans van Sevenhuysen at 
Ilfracombe, in Devonshire, England, Dec. 8, 1636; see p. 345. 365- The smith from the 
Manhatans was Burger Jorisz. 

89 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.03b-94b. Printed in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 
8:293-95, as Appendix K to Mr de Roever's articles on the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



352 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the recommendation of the widow of Roclof Jansen, 4 ? written to 
me hastily and with few words, and yonr oral greetings by Jacob 
Wolphertsen, and am glad to know that you are well. I released 
the said widow from her debt long ago. My reason for so doing. 
1 will tell you orally when we meet (God willing) in good health. 
I am expecting your return by one of these two ships which the 
Company is sending thither with a new director. I do not knew 
what to advise you. whether to cross by the first which returns 
at once, or by the second, which it appears will stay longer. If 
the first to come is defendable and large enough, 1 would advise 
you to come by that ; the sooner the better, so that you may clear 
yourself at last from the unbearable slanders with which the fiscal 41 
and his wife have besmirched and defamed your person through 
the whole land, before great and small, religious and secular people. 
The wife, who was here not long ago, or perhaps is still here, 
continues to do so, trying especially to involve the minister also, 
who is slandered so before the consistory that it is most important 
for him to come over; and let him not be persuaded to stay there 
before he has vindicated and justified himself. Yes; no one was 
overlooked, either great or small, especially of those who belonged 
to the council or had had anything to do with the administration, 
so it seems that the country there is lull of rascally and godless 
people and it is highly needful that every one who has any regard 
for his honor should come and defend himself in order to thrust 
such a load of blame from his shoulders. 

And as to your honor, many are so misled and deceived thai 
they think that your honor will not dare return but will stay in 
that country, although I, wherever I go, maintain the contrary. 

It seems that the Company intends to take up the affairs of 
Xew Netherland now with all diligence, since by the increase of 
the Company's capital by ' $ they have now obtained money which 
they really lacked before. A.S I am informed, they have planned 
some freedoms but are delaying to issue them until they have re- 
ceived news of the condition and opportunities of the country. 
which, as 1 guess, will happen on the advice of this now departing 
director 4111 and, as I also guess, on the advice of the returning di- 
rector and other councilors, so that you had better be on good 
terms with this director who now goes thither, in order to make a 
success of New Netherland, for if one thinks one way ami another 



4 "Annetie Jans, who in 1638 married the Rev. Everardus Bogardus. 
41 Lubbcrt van Dincklagc. N. de R. 
"« Willeiu Kieft. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 353 

thinks the other way, disorder will he the result. I advise your 
honor to receive and to install this director in office with all 
courtesy, keeping on good terms as far as it is in any way possible. 
And as I met him here several times, I have likewise very urgently 
recommended him to keep up friendly relations, which he on his 
part has promised me that he will not fail to do. I have also 
strongly commended my people and colony to his care, which, he 
has likewise promised to give, so far as his oath and commission 
will allow (and herein I agree with him). I hope also that matters 
will improve in the future, since very discreet commissioners for 
the affairs of New Netherland have come into office by these last 
changes. But since they transact their business in secret, I write 
this only on supposition. 

As to your animals, if you want to keep them, it is well. If not, 
let me have the preference over others. And if you have no par- 
ticular use for them, you could transport them to my colony until 
your honor has made other plans. I believe they will be as safe 
and well taken care of there as at any other place until further 
notice. 

And since 1 do not know in what way I could at this time lengthen 
this letter, I commend you, etc. 

Herein enclosed is also a letter from your father, also one to 
Cornells van Ticnhoven, to be handed to him. 

Be pleased to order Jacob Planck not to fail to keep me fully 
informed of everything and to send over accounts and memoranda 
of everything. I am informed that your honor has taken some 
blacksmith's coal from my ship for the use of the Company. 
Please give back the same in kind, as the Company is now sending 
over other coal and I could not get any for love or money. I spoke 
to the director here about it and he promised me that he would 
attend to it. And further I commend to you in general the wel- 
fare of my people and colony so long as you remain there. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 42 

September 21, 1637 

Jacob Albertsz Planck, in New Netherland in the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck 

This day, 21 September 1637, in Amsterdam 
Though I have no letter from you, being in daily expectation 
of the same by my small boat, this will serve to enclose [the list 



« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.94b. 
23 



354 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of] the persons who now go thither in the ships of the Company, 
namely four persons in the Company's ship de Harinck and four 
persons in the ship chartered by the Company, also the account of 
what I have advanced to them in money in addition to the expenses 
of the passage, also the contracts they have entered into with me, 
all of them enclosed. I would have sent more people but at first 
the Company would not give me any certainty ; when they had 
chartered the other ship they were willing to transport them but 
it was then too late. 

I send herewith no goods to you, not knowing what I should 
send, as I have no advice at all though I expect it every hour; but 
it will come too late for this time. I recommend to you to help 
administer everything to my best interest and to send me all the 
information you can gather, especially as to what has been sold, 
what remains still unsold and what it is most necessary to send. 
I have become well acquainted with the new director 43 who goes 
over now ; he will doubtless help you wherever he can promote your 
interest consistent with his oath and commission. Keep on good 
terms with him and offer him out of the common goods a few 
pretty things or necessaries ; he can repay us for them in such 
services as he may be able to render without detriment to the 
Company. You will assist the farmers in every way provided they 
on their side do not fail to deliver the just half of the grain which 
I am entitled to. Herewith go also two smiths who are able 
workers and also locksmiths. 438 You must see that they find room 
somewhere. As long as they have a shop they can easily make 
shift as to the rest. When they have nothing else to do they could 
make a quantity of nails, in stock, to sell at the Manhatans or to 
the English ; also, if P r . Cornelissen could build for the savages 
small houses and huts with closed doors and windows, let them 
then make the necessary nails, hinges, hooks, bolts and other hard- 
ware, wherewith, etc. 



«Willem Kieft. 

,3a Cf. statement in letter of same date to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam, on 
p. 351. The account books among the Rcnsselacrszvyck Mss do not show that any smiths 
came over in 1637. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



355 



Log of the ship Rensselaerswyck on its voyage from Amsterdam 
to New Netherland and return 44 

September 25, 1636 — November 7, 163/ 

Journal for ijan ticpks Schellinger 45 
1636, the 2d of October 
1636 Journal 

In the year of Our Lord 1636, the 25th of Sep- 
tember, the boat called Rinselacrs Wijck sailed in 
God's name from amsterdam to tessel 46 at about 
two o'clock in the afternoon. God preserve Rin- 
selacrs Wick ! 



Thursday 47 
Th. 25 

Sun. 28 
Tu. 30 

October 
Wed. 1 

Wed. 8 



Sailed from Amsterdam and anchored before 
duickerdam 4s with a south wind and heavy weather. 

Afternoon again set sail with a southwest wind 
and sailed to opposite pampos 49 and anchored there. 

Again set sail with a south wind and came near 
the south buoy of the vlacck 50 and anchored there. 

The boat arrived at tessel and anchored in nine 
fathoms near the east end ; the wind S.W. 

The wind easterly followed by calm. Here lay 
some French traders, one Straits trader 01 and two 
faemebocks 51 * traders, poor fleets, and the Straits 
trader intended to go to Ireland ; we arranged to 
sail together as far as plcijmuijen 52 and so put to 
sea in God's name, about four o'clock in the after- 
noon, about 22 vessels strong, without convoy. 



44 V. R. B. Mss. 11, entitled: Joerenael vooer ijan tiepks Schellinger. In same hand- 
writing as letter of Jan Tiepkesz to his wife, Jan. 9, 1637 (see p. 346-47), the signature 
to which is the same as that of Jan Tiepkesz under letter of Jan. 8, 1637, to Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer (see p. 345). 

45 In N. Y. Col. Mss, 4:357, under date of Jan. 23, 1648, the name of this skipper 
is given as Jan Tepjes van Schcllingen; in Court Minutes, 1652-56, p. 123, in the 
Albany County clerk's office, under date of Apr. 1654, as Jan Tjebkews Schellinger. 
De Vries, Korte Historiacl, p. 136, under date of Jan. 17, 1635, mentions the arrival 
in the West Indies of a skipper Schellinger, from Medcnblick. 

46 The Texel. 

47 Should be: September 

48 Durgerdam, a small village a short distance from Amsterdam and on the north 
side of the IJ. 

40 Pampus, the bay of the Zuiderzee into which the IJ flows. 

60 Het Vlaak, a shoal in the Zuiderzee, southeast of the island of Wieringen. 

61 Stracts vacrdcr ; refers to a ship trading along the shores of the Mediterranean. 

41 • Pernambuco. 
" Plymouth! 



356 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Th. 9 In the morning the wind was still S.E. ; the course 

as before S.W. with a stiff breeze. At noon we saw 
the Flemish coast and at the same time we saw two 
sails, one off the Flemish coast sailing northward, 
the other off the English coast sailing^ southward, 
but they did not approach us and remained unknown. 
In the evening toward sunset duinkercken 53 lay about 
five leagues 54 S.E. from us and a W.S.W. course was 
followed. The wind was then about east; it became 
calmer in the evening though we kept a steady 
breeze. As far as we could see there lay some 12 to 
15 ships in the scheertie. 55 That day we distributed 
rations, one to each man. During the night there 
was a strong wind from the east. Done once more. 

Fr. 10 In the morning the wind as before with a steady 

breeze, beencsier 56 lay then N. N. W. four leagues 
away from us. The course W. by S. and in the 
evening beuesier lay eight leagues from us E. N. E. 
The course W. S. W. 1/2 west and encountered a 
stiff, steady wind as before and in the second quarter 
of the night we saw a fleet coming in our direction, 
but did not speak them. Done. 

Sat. 11 In the morning the wind as before with rough 

weather. We saw the island of ocranaij f 1 it lay S. 
by E. about six leagues from us. There the Ire- 
land trader left the fleet. She had 20 guns and as 
she was going toward the sorlings 58 and had prom- 
ised us if convenient to convoy us around the sor- 
tings or past them, we followed her and proceeded 
westward, as that was the most convenient course for 
continuing our voyage. We left the fleet and about 
noon we saw a sail come from the coast and as we 
were but two we prepared as well as we could for 
action. When we were ready we waited for her 
with furled sails and when she was nearly within 



<"> Dunkirk. 

M In this log, the term " league " stands for the Dutch sea mile, which is equal to 
1/20 of a degree and corresponds to 3 nautical miles, or .1.453 statute miles. 

16 Scheurtje; the channel between the Flemish coast and the sand bank called the 
Vuijlbaert, near Dunkirk. 

68 Bcacliy Head, in Sussex, England; on Seutter's map of the English Channel in 
Atlas Novus, vol. 1, plate 48, the name of this promontory is given as Cap Beachy or 
Bevcsier. 

67 Alderney (French, Auregny). 

68 Scilly Islands. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 357 

range of our guns she turned away before the wind. 
It was a large flute with a poop. There was another 
ship behind us winch we could barely see. She 
waited for it but when it came near she let it pass. 
What kind of ships they were we do not know. 
goutstaert 59 lay about west from us and we continued 
our course. Done. 
Sun. 12 In the morning we did not see land; the wind as 

before and at noon the Ireland trader left us and 
sailed N. W. and we W. by S., our latitude was then 
49-43 min. We estimated that we were then 18 
leagues E. N. E. 1/3 E. from leesert. m Done. 

Course Leagues Latitude Wind Weather 

Mon. 13 W. by S. 32 49-19 E- by S. Stiff topsail 

During the night a ship passed us going in the op- 
posite direction. Done the past day till noon. 

Tu. 14 W. by S. 32 49-0 E. S. E. Stiff topsail 

In the morning we were near a Frenchman, whom 
we chased while following our course. It was a 
ship that came from the bank of tcrucef. G1 In the 
afternoon another one passed us to windward with- 
out speaking. We then set our course toward the 
W. S. W. with a stiff topsail breeze. Done. 

Wed. 15 S. W. by W. 30 47-40 S. E. Stiff topsail 

In the evening it began to drizzle. Done. 

Th. 16 By dead reckoning; we took no latitude. Dark 

weather. 

W. S. W. 16 47-15 S. E. with rough 

weather. Done. 

Fr. 17 By dead reckoning; we took no latitude. Dark 

weather. 

W. S. W. 18 47-4 E. gentle breeze 

Done. 

Sat. 18 As above. Upon taking the latitude we found the 

latitude, the distance and the course during the last 
three days, that is from the 16th to the 18th, changed 
as follows 

S. W. by W. 58 45-21 S. E. Various breezes 
Done. 



w Si art Point, Devonshire. 

c " The Lizard. 

01 Terre Neuve; that is Newfoundland. 



358 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Sun. 19. S. W. by W. 20 44-40 E. Topsail 

Done. 

Mon. 20 S. W. by W. 45 42-56 Fitful rougb weather 
and toward evening we had sailed eight leagues W. 
S. W. with very rough weather from the N. N. W. ; 
during the evening it became quite calm, which 
lasted till daylight; then the wind changed to the 
south. Done. 

Tu. 21 In the morning the wind changed to the W. and it 

blew so hard that the topsails had to be taken in. 
The wind veered to the N. W. We had then sailed 
about three leagues to the N. W. and about 
nine o'clock it blew so hard that we had to take in ail 
our sails and could not carry a single sail. An hour 
later there blew a violent gale from the N. W. and 
we then drifted east with a very rough sea. The 
waves rose to such an awful hight that the waves 
and the sky seemed one. The wind turned again to 
the W. and so it lasted the entire night. Done as 
far as the night is concerned. 

Wed. 22 In the morning it still blew so hard that we could 

not carry any sails, but the sea was calmer. The 
wind came from the S. W. and during the night in 
the second watch it grew less ; we set our main- 
sail but toward dawn it had to be taken in again on 
account of the strong wind, thunder and lightning. 
It blew hard, the wind as above, we drifted east. 
Done till morning. 

Th. 23 The wind about W. and we drifted east with rough 

weather. We drifted from about nine o'clock on 
the 21st to noon of the 23d, by reckoning 23 leagues 
N. E. by E. No latitude had been taken for the 
past three days up to noon. 

Fr. 24 Drifted east by north to leagues. The wind about 

W. N. W. with severe storm and during the past 
day drifted without sail. 

Sat. 25 Drifted E. N. E. 12 leagues, with very rough 

weather ; our mizzen blew away. The wind about 
west during the past day. 

Sun. 26 Drifted east by south 15 leagues. The wind about 

west with rough weather and in the evening we bent 
on our new mizzen. The day gone. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 359 

Mon. 2j Drifted E. by S. eight leagues; the wind from the 

N.W. with a stiff mainsail breeze till morning. We 
then ran south with our two courses but could not 
sail closer than S.E. by S. The wind veered toward 
the W. and we sailed till evening with the courses, 
keeping our course S.S.E. seven leagues. The wind 
then rose again from the S.W. so that both the 
courses had to be taken in. It blew a terrible gale 
and w£ drifted then S.E. by E. The day gone. 

Tu. 28 A gale still blew from the west and we still drifted 

S.E. by E. Drifted by reckoning 12 leagues. That 
night the beak of our ship was knocked to pieces. 
The day gone. 

Wed. 29 The wind as before but the weather fully as good. 

We set onr mainsail but it was not long before it had 
to be taken in again. The wind veered to the S.W. 
by W. with rough weather so that we were obliged 
to let ourselves drift. This day we made the first 
good observation of latitude since the 20th and found 
that we were at 41 degrees, 51 minutes. The day 
gone. 

Th. 30 In the morning the weather was fairly good, the 

wind about W.S.W. and toward daybreak we set 
both our courses and steered S. by E. but the sea 
became rough so that we could only hold to a S.E. 
course. That noon we again took a fairly good ob- 
servation of latitude and found it 41 degrees, 41 
minutes, and ran that day by drifting and sailing, 
keeping an E.S.E. course, 14 leagues. We took 
our sails in again on account of the strong wind, also 
because we could make no headway by sailing on ac- 
count of the rough sea. Awaited the right wind. 
The day gone. 

Fr. 31 Drifted by reckoning 10 leagues E.S.E. The 

wind about S.W. with rough weather and high seas 
and an overcast sky so that we could not take the 
latitude, but by dead reckoning it was 41 degrees, 26 
min. ; and from that noon till the morning of the first 
of November we drifted eight leagues S.E. by E. 
The wind about west, very high seas. The latitude 
by dead reckoning 41 deg. 10 min. The day gone. 



360 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

November. 

Sat. 1 in the morning we veered toward the west and 

drifted north. The wind S.W. with rough weather 
and high seas. The past half day and entire night. 

Sun. 2 Drifted 16 leagues N.E. by E. ; the wind about 

west, the latitude by dead reckoning 41 degrees, 50 
min. with very high seas. That day the overhang 
above our rudder was knocked in by severe storm. 
This day a child was born on the ship, and named 
and baptized in England stocrm f 2 the mother is 
annetie baernts. The day gone. 

Mon. 3 In the morning the weather was fairly good, the 

wind about W.S.W. We set our courses and pro- 
ceeded in a northerly direction. During that day we 
made 12 leagues, drifting and sailing and keeping a 
N.E. by N. course. Latitude by dead reckoning 42 
degrees, 18 min., and that evening the sails had to 
be taken in again on account of a strong wind from 
the west. The day gone. 

Tu. 4 Our latitude was 42 deg. and 22 min. and we had 

drifted by reckoning N.E. by E. six leagues. The 
wind about west and toward evening the wind turned 
to the south with terribly high seas but the wind 
moderated. The day gone. 

Wed. 5 Drifted by dead reckoning N. by E. nine leagues, 

our latitude was by reckoning 43 deg., the wind 
about west. This day it has been about S.W. with 
fairly good weather. The day gone. 

Th. 6 In the morning the wind and weather were as 

above. Seeing little hope of getting better wind and 
weather soon — though God knows — having lain to 
already 17 days because of severe gales and having 
few provisions for 52 or 53 souls, the number on 
board to keep dry, 03 we could oppose it no longer, 
in the first place, on account of the sick people whose 
number increased daily because of their hardships 
and, in the second place, because we feared that it 
might last a long time yet. As we had already 



02 Storm Albertsz (van der Zee), son of Alberl Andriesz Bradt and Annetie Barents 
van Rolmers. See footnote, p. 676. 
''-"■ hrt getal opt schip om drooch tc houden. 




r/h fie l « 












^< 5 









> (Li 

> (U 



x 



W 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 361 

passed Cacp finnestaer, 6 * to wit, to the north of it, 
in great peril and were drifting into the bay, I knew 
nothing better to do than to hold a council with the 
supercargo, the mate and other advisers, to decide 
what had best be done in the matter. We concluded in 
the said council to put the helm hard up and to steer 
in God's name toward the Channel and try to get into 
faelmuiden 65 or pleijmuiden, 66 which was done and 
at noon we found the latitude to be 43 deg., 9 min., 
wind and weather as above. With two courses we 
proceeded toward the N.N.E. The day gone. 

Course Leagues Latitude 

Fr. 7 N.E. by N. sailed 23 44 deg., 23 min. 

The wind about west. Last night we drifted for six 
hours without sail on account of the terrible wind 
and the high seas. During the day watch it was a 
little better and we set our courses. The day gone. 

Sat. 8 N.N.E. 31 leagues the latitude 46 deg., 19 min. 

The wind about west with a stiff topsail breeze, 
though most of the time we sailed with two courses. 
This afternoon we sailed with two topsails and dur- 
ing the night again with two courses and in the fore- 
noon with one topsail over the ocean. The day gone. 

Sun. 9 N.N.E. 31 leagues the latitude 48 deg., 17 min. 

The wind about west. The past night we sailed 
with one course and the day before with a topsail 
and this above mentioned day with two topsails and 
the spritsail. 67 We sailed then N.E. Toward even- 
ing the wind changed to south and southeast and we 
set our course E.N.E. and during the day watch 
the wind changed to the E.N.E. varying in strength 
with calm and gentle breezes. The day gone. 

C. 1. d. m. 

Mon. 10 N. E. 18 49-11 with varying winds but toward 

evening the wind became west changing to a stiff 
breeze and during the night it blew so hard that we 
ran before the wind with a foresail. Toward even- 
ing it was somewhat better. The day gone. 



64 Cape Finisterre, Spain. 

''■■■ Falmouth, England. 

60 Plymouth, England. 

91 blint; same as blimlc, a sail set under tlie bowsprit, not now used. 



362 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Tu. II 



Wed. 12 
bottom 
85 i 



Th. 13 
near the 
so r lings 



Fr. 14 
near the 
7 steen 



at Caep 

Cocrnwal 



E. 20 49-10 by dead reckoning, the sky was 
overcast and weather uncertain. The wind was 
about S. W. and during the night we took the lati- 
tude by the stars; were at 49-35 min. The day 
gone. 

E. 16 49-0 The wind about west and the 
weather rough, in the evening we sounded and found 
bottom at 85 fathoms. We then sailed N.E. till the 
first watch was over. We judged that we were near 
heij sant; 08 we sounded again and found the same 
depth, good Channel ground. We thought that we 
were in but it began to blow very hard and in the 
morning there was such a gale that our sails had to 
be taken in. Till morning. 

In the morning the wind was south with very 
rough weather, we did not yet see land. We set our 
mainsail with great difficulty but took in our foresail 
and then sailed E.S.E. During the night in the 
second watch we saw land south of us. It was very 
bad weather ; we could not see for the rain, thunder 
and lightning. We ran before the wind and ac- 
cording to our reckoning it must be the sorlins, Gj as 
we later found it to be; we then sailed N. W. with 
one lower sail. Toward daybreak the weather be- 
came a little better and in the day watch we turned 
toward the land to reconnoiter. The wind changed 
to the S.S.E. Till morning. 

In the morning the wind was as above so that we 
could not make the land we had seen during the night. 
We noticed however the scciccn steen 70 , which in- 
dicated sufficiently where we were. They were to 
starboard about a league off. The wind began to 
get stronger again. We looked for a good roadstead 
and thought it advisable to run behind Caep Coern- 
wal so as to get into the small bay or haven which is 
there. When we got around the cape the wind 
changed to the east and N.E. and north and finally 
to the N.W. with terribly rough weather so that we 



M He d'Ouessant, or Usbant Island, department <>f Finist&re, Prance. 

'■■> Scilly Islands. 

70 Seven Stones; a group of rocks 18 miles W. by S. from Land's End. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 363 

could hardly carry half a mainsail. We got aground 
near die cape and at twilight our foresail blew away, 
for we were obliged to carry all the sail we could, 
and our main sheet broke and we let ourselves be 
driven to the north with one sail, but in the second 
watch the mainsail had to be taken in too, for it was 
no longer possible to carry any sail, as one thing or 
another would break and we were driven E.N.E. 
Till morning. 
Sat. 15 In the morning the land lay close under our lee 

and we drifted toward it. We concluded to set our 
by londeif 1 foresail and, as we could not keep away from the 
shore, to run in near the land during the day, think- 
ing that we might make a port there called bedes- 
haeuen 12 or else straton.™ When we came near the 
shore we were too far down. We were driven by 
the strong current so that with our foresail only we 
were carried along the shore trying to find some 
place where the ship and people would be safe. As it 
became late in the day, we decided that we could do 
no better than to run to an anchorage or land which 
we saw and which according to the description of 
the book must be a harbor, and concluded, if possible, 
to run in, or else to beach the ship, on account of 
the strong current and the severe W.N.W. storm 
and the fact that we were in a bay. Commending 
ourselves to God, we ran toward it with reefed fore- 
sail and when we came close to the shore, as the 
weather seemed to calm down and clear up a little, 
for it had been very dark before, we saw Londeij 
and hastily turned so as to sail on the wind, tacked 
and carried all the sail we could. We again raised 
our main topmast, which had not been up in eight 
or ten days, and set both the topsails. It seemed as 
if we would capsize or all our sails blow away. 74 We 
headed for a point above the cape called haertlan- 
puint 75 and during the night we came with God's 



" Lund; Island; 10% miles N.W. by N. from Hartland Point. 

nPadstow Haven; this and most of the places that follow are points in Cornwall 
n<l Devonshire on or near the Bristol Channel. 
78 Stratton. 

74 Ilct seheen of he I onderslc bocucn sonde oftc al van bocucn nccr dat daer op stont. 

75 Hartland Point. 



364 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

help to anchor under the lee of londcij, in 20 fath- 
oms, with a W.N.W. wind. Till morning. 

Sun. 16 In the morning the wind was as above. We 

in ijllc facom weighed anchor and set sail for a harbor called ijlle 
vacom™ about four leagues from the island. On 
our way we saw a ship without mast drift by, and 
coming near the harbor a pilot came on board and 
brought us in. We found two Dutch ships lying 
there. One came from Spain with salt, and the other 
came from the West Indies ; they also were driven 
from their course by the storm. The ship which 
came from Spain was in Ireland, or near Caep 
Cldcre? 7 among the cliffs and thought from its 
course and reckoning that it was among the sorlings 
and happened to get here ; neither did the other 
which was among the sorlings, know where it was 
and it came here also toward evening. Till morn- 
ing. 

Mon. 17 The wind as above with rain and strong wind 

storm so that we could not do anything to repair the 
ship but only supply the people with some fresh pro- 
visions. Some families went on land. 

Tn. 18 As above, dirck koersen 78 went to pleijmuitsP 

Wed. 19 As above. 

Th. 20 As above. 

Fr. 21 Wind was east with rough weather. 

Sat. 22 The wind west with bad weather. 

Sun. 23 As above. 

Mon. 24 I went to batstaepel, 80 where two English vessels 

lay, to arrange to sail in company with them. 

Tu. 25 Wind and weather as above. 

Wed. 26 As above. 

Th. 27 As above. 

Fr. 28 As above. 

Sat. 29 dirck kuirsen came back from pleimuiden. 

Sun. 30 As above. 



70 Ilfracombc; the distance from Lundy Island is about 23 miles. 

77 Cape Clear. 

"Dirck Corssen St am, supercargo of the vessel. 

78 Plymouth. 
Ku Bai nstable, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 365 

December 

Mon. 1 Abatement of weather and wind. 

Tu. 2. The wind was S.E. with a stiff gale and dark 

weather. 

Wed. 3 The two ships from Holland set sail from here 

with two Newfoundland traders. Wind east. 

Th. 4 The storm blew from the east. 

Fr. 5 As above. 

Sat. 6 As above. 

Sun. 7 As above. 81 

Mon. 8 The wind as above ; in the evening when some of 

our passengers had gone on land to sit and drink in 
the tavern, where we were sitting with an English 
merchant to sell our goods, there were two there, 
of whom one struck to the ground the other, named 
Cornells toemess srnit; 82, the offender was his helper 
hans 83 and * * * 84 

Tu. 9 It was a day of prayer here for the whole neigh- 

borhood on account of the severe sickness which God 
is sending them. The wounded man died this morn- 
ing and was buried in the afternoon. 

Wed. 10 As above, and we began to get our hold ready. 

Th. 11 As above. 

Fr. 12 As above. 

Sat. 13 As above. 

Sun. 14 As above. 

Mon. 15 As above. 

Tu. 16 As above. 

Wed. 17 As above; and as matters relating to the accident 

had not yet been cleared up, they took the rudder 
from our ship and brought it on land, on account of 
the crime. 

The weather was changeable but not of the best. 
As above. 
As above. 
As above. 

81 The entries for Dec. 1—7 are here repeated, the only variations, spelling excepted, 
being that between the words " and " and " wind " of the first entry are inserted the 
words " change of " and that in the entry for Dec. 3 the words " from Holland " arc 
omitted. 

82 Cornelis Thomasz, the smith. 
M Hans van Sevenhuysen; see p. 345. 

84 Sentence not finished in the original. 



Th. 


18 


Fr. 


19 


Sat. 


20 


Sun 


. 21 



366 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Mon. 22 The body was dug up again and the wound viewed 

by the criminal and the coroner or sellout. 

Tu. 23 They carried the offender away in the name of the 

king and let us fetch our rudder from land again 
and go free. 

Wed. 24 A severe storm blew from the W.S.W. 

Th. 25 The weather was fair and the wind as above. 

Fr. 26 As above. 

Sat. 27 dirck Cocrscn came from batstaepcl and said that 

a Dutch ship had come to appel doocr 85 and that 
another lying under the lee of londeij had been 
anchored there for five days. They came from 
roscl SG and had set sail with us. Some other ships 
had been with them in this bay but he did not. know 
what had become of them on account of the bad 
weather. Wind as above. 

Sun. 28 As above. 

Mon. 29 As above. 

Tu. 30 As above. 

Wed. 31 As above. 

End of the year 1636. By God's mercy in ijlle 
fakom. 

Beginning of the year of our Lord 1637 
January 

Th. 1 As above. In God's name in the New Year. 

Fr. 2 Change of wind and weather. 

Sat. 3 Wind about north. 

Sun. 4 As above. 

Mon. 5 As above. 

Tu. 6 As above. 

Wed. 7 As above. 

Th. 8 As above. 

Fr. 9 At three o'clock before daybreak we set sail in 

out of God's name and in the morning we were at the N.W. 

Me fakom point of Londeij. The wind S.E. with steady 
weather. We sailed then W.S.W. by W. 

Sat. 10 At noon Cacp Cocmwal lay south of us; we were 

about 10 leagues from land. Calms and fitful 



fir> Appledore, in Devonshire, 

86 La Rochcllc 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



367 



Sun. 11 



Mon. 12 



Tu. 13 

ground 
in the 
Channel 



Wed. 14 



Sat. 17 



breezes. We went over to the Irish coast. That 
day and night and toward daybreak, the wind turned 
to the S.S.E. with a stiff mainsail breeze. We sailed 
then S.W. and about an hour later the wind changed 
to the west and at once blew so hard that we could 
carry only one lower sail. We sailed south. 

About noon we could not carry any sail on account 
of the wind. We still sailed south and drifted E. 
by S. toward the coast. During the night we had 
a severe storm. 

In the morning we did not see land, which sur- 
prised us, for the whole day we had not realized that 
the current was carrying us farther from shore than 
we reckoned. Toward evening with great difficulty 
we lowered our main topmast on account of the 
severe storm and steered toward the north, sailing 
N.N.E. because the night was at hand. It was dark 
weather toward evening and this lasted all night. 

In ttie morning we cast the lead and struck good 
Channel ground at about 65 fathoms. We assumed 
then that we were south of the soerlings 87 and set 
our course S.W. by W. At noon our latitude was 
49 degrees, o min., by dead reckoning S. by W. of 
the soerlings. Till noon. 

Course leagues deg. min. 

S.W. by W. 12 48-37 The wind fitful with 

beautiful weather. In the first watch the wind 
changed to the N.W. blowing a topsail breeze and 
The day gone. 

12 47-35 The wind N.W. with 

The day gone. 

26 46-0 with varying winds 

but mostly from the west with beautiful weather. 
This day we bent our new mainsail with both the top- 
sails and sailed S.S.E. with lower sails set. The day 
gone. 

W. by N. y 2 N. 6 T / 2 46-8 by dead reckoning; 
the wind about south with a stiff gale and during the 
night the wind changed to the S.E. We sailed then 
SAW with steady weather. The day gone. 





we sailed S.W. 


Th. 15 


sw. 




steady weather 


Fr. 16 


S.W by S. 



87 Scilly Islands. 



3 68 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Sun. 1 8 

Mon. 19 
Tu. 20 

Wed. 21 

Th. 22 



Fr. 23 

Sat. 24 



near the 

Frenchman 



near poerte 

santc 



W.S.W. n l / 2 45-51 by dead reckoning; the 
wind fitful with calms but mostly S.E. with drizzling 
rain till midnight. The wind then changed to the 
N.E. The day gone. 

S.S.W. 26 44-16 by observation ; the wind 
about east, steady breeze with gray sky. The day 
gone. 

S. by W. 40 41-14 by observation; the wind as 
before, stiff topsail gale, continuous clear weather. 
The day gone. 

S. by W. 33 39-0 by observation ; the wind as 
above, steady breeze. The day gone. 

S. by W. 20 37-15 by observation; the wind 
about north with steady breeze and clear weather. 
This day we made two more gun carriages and 
mounted a gun, so that we now had four on deck. 
We could for the present not put any more on deck. 
The day gone. 

S. by W. 28 35-49 by observation ; the wind 
about north, steady topsail gale. The day gone. 

In the morning we saw a sail to starboard under 
our lee. The wind was N.E. and we sailed south. 
He made sail toward us. We kept our course and 
cleared away the chests and cows so that we obtained 
a clear deck, which took us till shortly after noon. 
When we were ready we waited for him with furled 
sails and when he came near us we hailed him. He 
answered that he came from rooscl ss and was look- 
ing for good booty. We said that we were also look- 
ing for a good prize, fie remained near us for about 
an hour and then headed for the west when each of 
us fired a salute. He had four iron and two metal 
cannon on board. This morning we saw poerte 
santc Si) which lay S.W. from us. We had fine 
weather and at noon our latitude was 33-16 and in 
the evening we got near the west side of poerte santc 
and ran then S.W. by S. till the second watch, with 
a gentle breeze. We then took in the foresail'"' 
and waited for the day. The day gone. 



KS T.a Rochelle. 

M Porto Santo, an island of the Madeira group. 

00 Doen haclden wij onse rock op de mast. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



3 6 9 



Sun. 25 
near 
madere 



a child 
born 



Mon. 26 



Til 27 



Wed. 28 



Th. 29 



Fr. 30 

a child 
born 

Sat. 31 
variation 
of the 
compass 
February 

Sun. 1 



In the morning about an hour after sunrise we 
were between pocrte sante and madccrc. 01 About 
two o'clock in the afternoon we got a steady breeze 
from the W.S.W. and ran south and in the evening 
the S.W. point of madccrc lay 12 leagues N.N.W. 
from us. Our latitude by dead reckoning was then 
31 deg. 40 min. From there we sailed W.S.W. with 
rough weather and lower sails. The wind about 
north with high seas. This night about three o'clock 
a child 92 was born; the father is montamj 98 and the 
mother racgel?* The day gone. 

Course leagues lat. condition of the weather 

W.S.W. 30 30-55 by observation. The wind 
about north with rough weather and high seas. The 
day gone. 

W.S.W. 45 29-38 by observation. The wind 
about N.E. with rough weather and high seas. Car- 
ried two lower sails and had clear weather. The day 
gone. 

W.S.W. 45 28-35 by observation. The wind 
about N. E. with continuous rough weather and high 
seas. Carried the foresail and one topsail. The day 
gone. 

W\S.W. 43 27-29 by observation ; the wind 
about north, steady breeze most of the time. The day 
gone. 

S.W. by W. 36 26-12 by observation ; the wind 
about north, mostly stiff topsail gale. About two 
o'clock in the night a boy 95 was born ; the name of 
the mother is Caetclin. The day gone. 

W.S.W. 47 24-57 D y observation ; the wind 
about northeast, mostly stiff topsail breeze with clear 
weather. Took the azimuth of the sun ; variation of 
the compass o deg. 14 min. N.W. The day gone. 

W.S.W. 46 23-44 N.E. stiff topsail breeze, 
generally with fine weather. The day gone. 



01 Madeira. 

02 Marie. See Riker, Harlem; its origin and early annals, p. 140. 

03 Johannes La Montagne. 

04 Rachel. 

95 Hendrick Cornelisz Macsen, son of Cornelis Maesen, and Catelijntie Martens. See 
footnote p. 181. 
24 



370 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Mon. 2 W.S.W. 43 22-38 N.E. stiff topsail breeze, 

clear weather. We were five minutes south of the 
tropic. The day gone. 

Tu. 3 W.S.W. 38 21-40 N. steady gale, mostly 

clear weather. From here on the course was changed 
and we sailed west. We were south of the tropic 
26 leagues or t deg. 46 min. during the past day. 

variation of compass 

W. by S. 36 21-13 5~° N.W. variation. The 
wind north, steady breeze, with clear weather. The 
day gone. 

W. ]/ 2 S. 28 21-4 gentle topsail breeze, wind 
north. This night a flying fish flew on board our 
ship. The day gone. 

W. 18 21-1 6-0 N.W. variation. The wind 
north with gentle breezes. The day gone. 

W. 30 20-58 N. stiff topsail gale and high 
seas for the past day. 

W. y 2 N. 40 21-10 N. with rough weather, 
with lower sails the past day. 

W. l / 2 N. 35 21-17 N. rough weather with 
lower sails the past day. 

W. 42 21-15 N- hard topsail gale the past 
day. 

W. y 2 N. 38 21-30 by dead reckoning; N. 
with stiff topsail gale. This noon we changed our 
course and then sailed N.W. by W. The wind as 
before with lower sails and in the afternoon there 
was a severe storm with thunder, lightning and rain 
so that we took in all our sails, but toward the end 
of the second watch it became somewhat better. We 
set both our lower sails, the foretopsail and mizzen- 
sail and then sailed about N.W. The wind N.N.E. 
The day gone. 
Th. 12 N.W. 16 22-6 N.N.E. Fair weather the past 

day. 
Fr. 13 N.W. 20 23-1 N.E. Changeable weather the 

past day. 



Wed. 4 



Th. 5 



Fr. 6 

Sat. 7 
weeds 

Sun. 8 
weeds 

Mon. 9 
weeds 

Tu. 10 
weeds 

Wed. 11 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS tfl 

lat. by long, by lat. by 
Course leag. reck'g reck'g obs'n 

deg. min. deg. min. deg. min. deg. min. 

Sat. 14 N.W. y 2 N. 37 0-0 34-1 8 96 24-57 °-54 

variation of the compass. The wind about N.N.E., 
topsail breeze. During the day we sailed yj leagues ; 
the latitude 24-57 J a steady topsail breeze. We took 
the sun's azimuth at its setting and found the varia- 
tion of the needle to be o deg. 54 min. N.W. The 
weather was fine and we then sailed fully N.W. 
by N. 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. obs. 

Sun. 15 N.N.W. 26 26-31 35-2 26-33 °-° N.N.E. 

Steady breeze. We had then sailed 26 leagues 
N.N.W. and our latitude was 26-33 > longitude 35-2 ; 
the wind N.N.E. with fine weather and in the even- 
ing it became calm. The day gone. 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. obs. deg. min. 

Mon. 16 N.W by N. 20 27-40 35-50 27-41 6-40 

We had sailed N.W. by N. 20 leagues and our lati- 
tude was 27-41; the longitude was 35-50; and on 
taking the sun's azimuth at its setting we found the 
variation to be 6 deg. 40 min. N.E. ; the wind about 
N.N.E. The day gone. 

Tu. 17 N.W. by N. 26 29-7 36-55 0-0 0-0 

The wind southerly, high swells from the N.W. with 
fine weather at noon, the wind fitful and changed 
soon to the west, weather unsettled. We had much 
rain, thunder and lightning and in the afternoon we 
took off our bonnets, 97 veered about and went about 
S.W. 

Wed. 18 W. by S. 5 29-0 37-15 0-0 0-0 

Variable weather but fair. We sailed N. W. with 
[occasional] calms. The day gone. 

Th. 19 S.W. by S. 3 29-50 37-6 28-48 0-0 

The wind fitful but we drifted quietly, mostly S.W. ; 
latitude and longitude as above. The day gone. 

Fr. 20 W.N.W 16 29-12 38-13 29-12 0-0 

N.N.E. Stiff topsail breeze. Course, leagues, lati- 
tude and longitude as above. Toward daybreak 
there was a very strong wind. The day gone. 



•• Early navigators used various prime meridians. From the entries for Sept. 7 and 
8, 1637, it appears that this skipper employed the meridian first adopted by Mercator, 
that of the island Corvo of the western Azores, 31 7' W. of Greenwich. 

w Bonnet; a supplementary piece of canvas laced to the foot of a sail in light winds; 
formerly it was sometimes laced to the top of the sail. 



Tu. 24 
left the 
weeds 



372 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Sat. 21 N.N.W. >2 W. 25 30-40 39-2 30-41 0-0 

N.E. with rough weather. Course, leagues, latitude 
and longitude as above. The day gone. 

Sun. 22 N.N.W. Yz W. 36 32-48 40-22 32-48 0-0 

S.S.E. Steady breeze. Course, leagues, latitude and 
longitude as above, but in the afternoon and the 
early part of the night we had a stiff breeze from 
the east; we changed our course and went north. 
The day gone. 

Mon. 23 N. 9 33-23 40-22 33-23 3-0 S. with calms. 

Course, leagues, latitude and longitude as above. 
Variation of the needle 3 deg. o min. N.W. With 
clear weather, the clay gone. 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. obs. wind 

N. by W. 35 35-43 41-13 o^D W.S.W. 
Rough weather. Course, leagues, latitude and longi- 
tude as above. We had dark weather with much rain. 
About noon there was a waterspout behind our ship 
which drew the water like smoke to such a terrible 
hight that we were afraid of it ; we took in all our 
sails but it was soon over and passed behind us at 
close range without hurting us. The day gone. 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. ofcs. 

Wed. 25 N.W. by N. 22 36-55 42-13 36-56 E.N.E. 

Stiff breeze, we had during the day much change of 
wind and terrible thunder, lightning and rain, 
ground at Toward evening there was a gentle breeze and after 
50 fathoms supper we cast the lead and found at 50 fathoms 
small black stones and also small red ones, some as 
large as shot, together with grayish sand, at this 
latitude and longitude about 10 miles from land. 
We went then N.N.W. the wind N.E. with a gentle 
breeze and when the first watch was over we sounded 
again and struck sand at 18 fathoms. Course and 
wind as before. At four bells in the second watch 
we found sand at 12 fathoms, the depth having be- 
come steadily less up to this point. Course and 
wind as above. We then took in our topsail and 
turned to the S.E., the wind being E.N.E. We sailed 
for four glasses [two hours] or till we had 17 fath- 
oms ; then we turned and sailed north and set our 
topsails to a gentle breeze. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 373 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. obs. N. W. var. 

Th. 26 N.W. by N. 10 37-29 42-39 37-29 13-20 

The wind fitful with calms. In the forenoon we 
found most of the time 20, 19 or 18, but also 17 and 
15 fathoms, but not long after we saw land, the depth 
ranging from 15 to 20 fathoms.- We did not know 
where we were for it was foggy weather. We sup- 
posed that there might be a bank, as the southern 
colonies of the English were quite near and as we 
had had in the afternoon the above course, leagues, 
latitude, longitude and variation. We were about 
three miles from land and found 14 fathoms of 
water, with foggy weather, so that we could not tell 
much about the land. At about three o'clock in the 
afternoon siuits Island JS lay about three leagues W. 
N.W. from us. Seen from there the island looks as 
follows : the upper part is hard to recognize, the 
north point is indented, and it seems as if a small 
fiat island lay at the south point. 

C. leag. lat. rec. long. lat. obs. var. 

Sat. 28 N. by E. 20 39-43 43-35 39-43 0-0 

the wind S.W., a gentle breeze and the course sailed, 
leagues, latitude and longitude as above. During 
the past night we had a steady breeze from the S.W. 
with rain, thunder and lightning. We were about 
N.N.E. of Caep hinlooep." 

C. leag. lat. reck. long. lat. obs. W. var. 

Sat. 17 N. by E. 20 39-43 43-35 39-43 0-0 

The wind W.N.W., gentle breeze, course, leagues, 
latitude and longitude as above. During the night 
we had showers, as if we were near land. By reck- 
oning we were six leagues from land. We found 22 
fathoms of water and ran close to northward. We 
sounded often and found sometimes 22, but also 20, 
18, 17, 15, and then again 22 fathoms and we saw 
many whales. We then sailed mostly N.W. The 
whole night long with calms and that night we saw 
many fires burning - . 



08 Smith Island; cast of Cape Charles, t lie northeastern end of the island is about 
75 49' W. and 37° 11' N. 
*• Cape Henlopen. 



374 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



March 
Sun. i 



behind 
godins puint 

Mon. 2 



Tu. 3 

Wed. 4 
manatans 



Th. 5 
Fr. 6 
Sat. 7 

Sun. 8 

Mon. 9 
Tu. io 
Wed. ii 



In the morning we were about two leagues from 
land and in 16 fathoms, S.W. from the north point 
of the bacrnde gat™* bloemcrts puint 1 being north of 
us. We saw many whales, some io or 20 swimming 
for at least two hours about our ship ; we supposed 
that they were taking their course from the south 
to the north. At about six o'clock in the evening 
at sunset we came to anchor behind godins puint 2 in 
five fathoms, good anchorage. God be praised for 
his mercy. 

In the morning the wind was N.W. with rough 
weather so that we could not make the hoefden. 3 
Our boat landed at godins puint for the purpose of 
shooting geese and stayed over night there. It was 
bitterly cold. 

At noon the weather was somewhat better as far as 
the wind was concerned though it was N.W. and very 
cold. Our boat returned and we could not do any- 
thing else. 

The wind as above with a gentle breeze. We 
weighed our anchor and arrived at four o'clock in 
the afternoon at the manatans, where we found an 
English vessel. God be praised for our safe voyage 
thus far. As we learned here that the river was 
still closed up above we remained here. 

As above, the wind west. 

The wind east. 

We began to clear our hold and brought our 
empty water casks on land. 

Two of the children born on our ship were baptized 
here. The wind N.W. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. South. 



•"■ Rarnegat Inlet. 

1 Blommaert's Point; Norton's Point, at the west end of Coney Island -was called 
Blommaert's Point and is referred to as such in the present log, under date of Aug. 
8th, p. 383. At the time of the present entry the ship was so far south of Norton's 
Point that it could not have been visible and it is possible that some point on the New 
Jersey coast had the same name. 

2 Godyn's Point; now Sandy Hook. 

3 The headlands at either side of the Narrows; called also Hamelshoofden. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 375 

Th. 12 As above. 

Fr. 13 The wind north with storm. 

Sat. 14 The wind south with snow. 

Sun. 15 In the evening Chics raemaecker came out into the 

a ship bay and also near not en Island 4 and during the night 

came dirck Cuirsen 5 sailed up the river. The wind south. 

Mon. 16 Claes came on board. This day we fetched some 

goods from land. The wind south with fair weather. 

Tu. 17 In the afternoon the wind was about west with 

rough weather. 

Wed. 18 As above. 

Th. 19 As above, with rain. 

Fr. 20 As above. 

Sat. 21 I brought most of the merchandise on land into 

a house and left the mate in charge, with orders to 
sell it. With the consent of the director, we got 
ready to sail up the river with the ship. 

Sun. 22 The widow of Cornells smits 7 was married here at 

the manatans to aerent steffeniers. 

Mon. 23 The wind about north. 

Tu. 24 The weather calm, Peter Cornells 9, went up the 

river in a yacht. 

Wed. 25 The wind N.E., rain and rough weather. 

Th. 26 We sailed up the river in the ship with calm 

weather and in the evening came to anchor near 
sapachenikan? 

Fr. 27 In the morning we set sail again with calm weather 

and very light northerly breeze and at about nine 
o'clock at night we anchored on account of the dark- 
ness. W T e had sailed about eight leagues. 

Sat. 28 In the morning we set sail and came to the hoege 

hint. 10 The tide went out and the wind was con- 
trary so that we anchored there about four o'clock 
in the afternoon. 



4 Nut Island, now Governor's Island. 

s Dirck Corssen Stam, supercargo of the vessel. 

Ilendrick de Forest. 

7 Cornelis Thomasz, the smith; cf. entry of Dec. 8, 1636. 

8 Pieter Cornelisz van Monnickendam. 

9 Sapokanican, or Sappokanican, later Greenwich village and now that part of New 
York City between 14th and Houston sts. on the Hudson River. 

10 The Highlands. 



376 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Sun. 29 



Mon. 30 
Tu. 31 



April 
Wed. 

Th. s 



Fr. 3 



Sat. 4 
Sun. 5 
Mon. 6 



Tu. 7 



Wed. 8 
Th. 9 

Fr. 10 
Sat. 11 
Sun. 12 
Mon. 13 
Tu. 14 
Wed. 15 
Th. 16 
Fr. 17 
Sat. 18 
Sun. 19 
Mon. 20 



In the morning- dirck Cocrsen came down in the 
yacht and boarded our ship again ; the yacht sailed on 
with a north wind. 

The wind as above with rough weather. 

In the morning the wind was about S.W. with 
fair weather. We sot under sail and came to the 
csoepes. 11 
north and blew hard. 



In the evening the wind changed to the 



As above. 

In the morning the wind turned to the south and 
we set sail and came to anchor about a mile above 
Catskil. The wind was then about east. 

In the morning the wind was about south with a 
drizzling rain. We set sail and in the evening came 
to anchor about half a mile below bcrcn Island, 12 on 
account of calms and contrary wind. 

As above. 

As above. 

In the evening the wind changed to the south. 
We set sail but were becalmed. Getting a fair breeze 
during the night we sailed on. 

About three o'clock in the morning we came to 
anchor before foert oeranien, 15 the end of our voy- 
age upward. 

The wind north. 

We delivered some goods to ijacckop planch. 
The wind as above. 

Cleaned our deck. 

The wind as above. 

As above. Easter. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. Delivered some goods. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

We delivered the smith's coal. 



]1 Now Kingston. 
'- Barren Island. 
13 Fort Orange. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 377 

Tu. 21 As above. 

Wed. 22 As above. 

Th. 23 As above. 

Fr. 24 As above. 

Sat. 25 As above. 

Sun. 26 A yacht came here from the manatans. 

Mon. 2y As above. 

Tu. 28 As above. 

Wed. 29 The yacht went from here to the manatans with 

seed. 

Th. 30 As above. 
May 

Fr. 1 The wind about south. 

Sat. 2 As above. 

Sun. 3 As above. 

Mon. 4 As above. 

Tu. 5 Easterly wind with rain. 

Wed. 6 As above. 

Th. 7 As above. 

Fr. 8 As above. 

Sat. 9 As above. 

Sun. 10 Very cold weather with rain. 

Mon. 11 Northerly wind with much sun. 

Tu. 12 As above. 

Wed. 13 In the night the wind became south. 

Th. 14 As above. 

Fr. 15 We went with our goods to the great falls, four 

leagues above fort ocranicn. 

Sat. 16 Fine weather. The wind about south. 

Sun. 17 As above. 

Mon. 18 As above. 

Tu. 19 maerten gerrits went to the manatans. This day 

we unloaded our millstones and got ready to set 

sail. The wind south. 

Wed. 20 The wind as above. We lay ready to sail and 

waited for the wind. This day a yacht came from 

the manatans and the yacht sinte maertin with cattle. 

Th. 21 The wind as above. 

Fr. 22 The wind as above. 

Sat. 23 The wind as above. 

Sun. 24 The wind as above. 



378 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Mon. 25 The wind as above. 

Tu. 26 The wind as above. 

Wed. 27 The wind as above. 

Th. 28 The wind as above. 

Fr. 29 The wind as above. 

Sat. 30 The wind as above. 

Sun. 31 In the morning the wind N.W. We set sail and 

ran past smacks Island and anchored there. 
June 

Mon. 1 In the morning the wind was about north. We 

set sail and came near nocten hoeck. 1A 

Tu. 2 The wind was S.W. and south ; a light breeze. 

We then drifted down with the tide and by flood time 
came to anchor about a league below nocten hocck. 
maerten gerrits, who was going up the river, came 
on board there. 

Wed. 3 In the morning it was still calm and we drifted 

along with the ebb tide but later there was a light 
breeze so that we came to anchor two leagues north 
of madeleens Island. 15 We got some ballast there 
and turned over some smith's coal to the yacht 
sinte maertin. 

Th. 4 It was calm and we drifted along with the ebb 

tide and came before the grooetc ecsocpes. 16 There 
we got a steady breeze and sailed down into the 
lange rack 17 where it became calm and the flood re- 
turned. 

Fr. 5 In the morning it was still calm and we drifted 

with the ebb tide but at noon we got a fine breeze and 
came to anchor near pollccpcls Island, ls for the wind 
was south. 

Sat. 6 Stiff breeze. The wind as before. 

Sun. 7 As above. 

Mon. 8 As above. 



14 Nutten Hook; opposite Coxsackie. 

15 Magdalen Island; about two miles south of Saugerties. 

10 Great Esopus; now Rondout Creek, which empties into the Hudson River at 
Kingston. 

17 The long reach, which extends from Crum Elbow Point, about four miles north of 
rVuglikeepsie but on the west side of the river, to Polopel's Island. 

18 Literally, Pot-ladle Island; now called Polopel's Island, opposite Cornwall-on-thc- 
Hudson. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



379 



Tu. 9 



Wed. 10 



Th. ii 



Fr. 12 
before the 
manats 

Sat. 13 



Sun. 14 
Mon. 15 
Tu. 16 
Wed. 17 
Th. 18 
Fr. 19 
Sat. 20 
from the 
manatans 



Sun. 21 
godins 
paint 

Mon. 22 

baernde gat 



As above with fair weather and in the afternoon 
we set sail and by tacking went down as far as the 
hoogc lant, where we came to anchor during a calm 
and the flood. 

The wind as above. We tacked past the hoege lant 
and in the evening came to anchor between haeuer 
stroo 10 and the verdrietigen hoeck. 20 

In the morning the wind as above with a steady 
breeze and we kept on tacking till off the kill at the 
north end of the manatans. 

It was calm and we drifted with the ebb tide be- 
fore the manatans about eight o'clock in the morn- 
ing. 

A southerly wind and we thought it advisable to go 
at the first opportunity to the southern English set- 
tlement. 

The wind as above. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

The wind about north. 

The wind as above and we set sail to go south 
and when we came into the bay the wind changed to 
the S.E., with dark weather and a gale. We could 
not see ; we then turned about and ran again between 
the hoefden 21 and anchored there. 

At noon the wind was about N.E. We set sail 
and in the evening came to anchor below godins 
puint 22 in seven fathoms. 

In the morning the wind as above. We set sail 
and ran out into the open and in the evening at sunset 
we were N.W. from baernde gat 23 about two leagues 
from land. The wind as above, a light breeze. Dur- 
ing the night there was a steady breeze from the 
same direction. We then sailed S.S.W. till midnight 
when we changed to S.W. by W. 



19 Haverstraw. 

20 Verdrietige Hook; between Haverstraw and Nyack. The name means Dismal or 
Tedious Point. 

21 The headlands at either side of the Narrows. 

22 Now Sandy Hook. 
n Barnegat Inlet. 



380 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Tu. 23 In the morning we did not see land and kept the 

same course. The wind as ahove and light breeze. 
We reckoned that we were about S.W. by W. of 
Caep maeij. 24 We found various depths during the 
night, probably due to banks which lie there as the 
charts show. At noon we saw land and in the even- 
ing on account of the light breeze we approached the 
Caep coast and landed about four leagues south of Caep 

hinlooep hinlooep. 25 We turned about and sailed mostly S.E 

The whole night the wind was S.W. but toward day- 
break south. 

Wed. 24 We turned toward shore and sailed west, the wind 

about S.S.W., and in the afternoon we arrived at 
about eight leagues south of Caep hinlooep. At a 
distance of about four leagues the land seemed 
broken, but this is caused by the lowness of the land 
and the high trees which are found there, by which 
it can be easily recognized. We turned away from 
shore and came to anchor in 10 fathoms as we could 
not make any headway. 

Th. 25 In the morning the wind was northerly and there 

was a light breeze. We set sail and in the afternoon 
the wind became S.S.W. We then sailed west till 
we came near the shore, where we again found flat 
land and high trees but especially dense woods. We 
again turned from shore and the wind suddenly 
changed to the W.N.W. There was a steady breeze 
and we sailed then S.W. by S. and at sunset the 
wind changed again to the south with [occasional] 
calm. We anchored in 10 fathoms, fully a league 
from shore. 

Fr. 26 In the morning the wind was as above and there 

was a light breeze. About noon the wind turned to 
the S.E. and there was a steady breeze. We sailed 
S.W. and came near the island caled verses Island, 2 '"' 
where there is a channel between the island and the 
mainland. We turned from shore and came to 
anchor in six fathoms, for the wind was S.W. with 
[occasional] calms and the current was against us. 



24 Cape May. 
- : ' Cape Ilenlopcn. 

20 Should probably be Verkens, or Varkens, Island, of which the present name, Hog 
Island, is a literal translation. The island is about 20 miles north of Cape Charles. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



381 



Sat. 2J In the morning the wind was as above with calms. 

We set sail and arrived before the inlet of matse 
pongc 27 which lies at the west end of the aforesaid 
island, near a large sand bank to port and the island 
to starboard. The inlet- 8 north of the island is 
probably the nearest to matseponge. We tacked 
along- past the sand bank. 

Sun. 28 In the morning on account of contrary winds we 

came again to the point whence we sailed the pre- 
vious evening. We then headed again for the sea 
the wind being about S.W. and toward evening we 
anchored in seven fathoms. 

Mon. 29 In the morning at sunrise the wind changed to the 

below north. We set sail and about noon we came to 

sin its anchor below smits Island, 20 on the west side. God 

Island be praised for his mercy thus far. The same day our 

mate went on land to further the work. 

Tu. 30 We moored the ship to the shore by a cable, in 4^2 

fathoms. 
July 

Wed. 1 As above. 

Th. 2 As above. 

Fr. 3 As above. 

Sat. 4 Strong north wind. 

Sun. 5 As above. Good weather. 

Mon. () As above. 

Tu. 7 As above. 

Wed. X As above. 

Th. i) As above. 

Fr. 10 As above. 

Sat. II We were ready to sail. North wind. 

Sun. 12 In the afternoon we sailed in company with an 

from funis English yacht. The wind N.W. and during the night 
Island we drifted in a calm. 



27 Great Machipongo Inlet. 

28 Little Machipongo Inlet. 

-'"Smith Island; east of Cape Charles, funis Island, mentioned below, is doubtless a 
aistake for smits Island. 



382 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Mon. 13 At noon there was a steady breeze from the N.W. 

and toward evening the wind was about east. In the 
evening we came to anchor in five fathoms, sin its 
Island lay W.S.W. from us and matsepongc some- 
what north of N.N.E. During the night the wind 
became south with [occasional] calms. We set sail 
and ran east. 
Tu. 14 In the morning matseponge lay north from us. 

We then sailed N.E. with a light breeze from the 
south and in the afternoon there was a stiff breeze. 
Wind and course as above and at sunset the wind 
changed to the west and there was thunder, lightning 
and rain. We took in our sails and the whole night 
sailed N.E. with a foresail. 
Wed. 15 In the morning the wind was as above and there 

was a stiff breeze. We set sail and went north and at 
about nine o'clock in the forenoon we arrived before 
the grooeten eiierhaeuen 30 and in the evening between 
baernde gat and the sadel. 31 That night we let our- 
selves drift till daybreak and then set sail. Wind and 
weather as above. 
Th. 16 In the morning rinselaers hoeck 32 lay about two 

leagues north of us. The wind about west, we 
tacked into the bay and at about four o'clock in the 
afternoon arrived before the manatans. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. The carpenters came on board. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

As above. 

The carpenters finished their work. 

About two o'clock in the morning my mate hcin- 
drick dc freest died. 33 

In the afternoon he and a child were buried. 

We were ready to go to the watering place. 

80 Great Egg Harbor, a short distance below Atlantic City. 

"The Saddle. 

83 Rensselaers Hook; now Navesink Highlands. 

13 Hendrick de Forest; cf. Riker, Harlem; its origin and early annals, p. 143. 



Fr. 


17 


Sat. 


18 


Sun. 


19 


Mori 


1. 20 


Tu. 


21 


Wee 


1. 22 


Th. 


23 


Fr. 


24 


Sat. 


25 


Sun. 


26 


Mor 


i. 27 


Tu. 


28 



VAN RENSSELAER" BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 383 

Wed. 29 We sailed to the watering place. 

Th. 30 Our casks were filled with water. 

Fr. 31 We cut firewood. 

August 

Sat. 1 Cut firewood as above. 

Sun. 2 Hard wind and rain. 

Mon. 3 As above. 

Tu. 4 We got our water and wood on board and in the 

evening set sail toward the manatans. 
Wed. 5 We arrived at the manatans in the afternoon. 

Th. 6 As above. 

Fr. 7 We sailed from the manatans to the rooe hoeck. 34 

Sat. 8 The wind S.W. and a light breeze. We sailed to 

a place below bloemerts puint. 35 
Sun. 9 The wind about south and we stayed there. 

Mon. 10 We arrived below godins puint. 3G The wind as 

above. 
Tu. 11 As above. 

Wed. 12 As above. 

Th. 13 As above. A gale. 

Fr. 14 We sailed in the morning with a N.W. wind and 

from godins puint put out to sea and sailed S.E. by 

E. in the name of God. May He preserve rinselaers 

wick. 

C. leag. lat. reck long. lat. obs. 

Sat. 15 S.E. by E. Yz E. 29 39-16 323-17 39-16 0-0 

The wind N.W., light breeze. N.W. 

Sun. 16 37 S by W. 12 38-29 323-7 0-0 7-33 

- variation of the compass. The wind S.E., wind for 
courses and topsails till morning when the wind 
changed to the south. 

Mon. 17 S. by E. l / 2 E. 15 37-32 323-27 0-0 

rough weather, wind for lower sails only. 

Tu. 18 E. by S. y 2 S. 15 37-15 324-35 

The wind S.W., rough weather, thunder and light- 
ning. 



** Red Hook; a point on the Brooklyn shore about half a mile south of Governor's 
Island. 

55 Mommaert's Point; see p. 374. 

18 Godijn's Point; now Sandy Hook. 

• ,7 The abbreviations of course, leagues, etc., occur above nearly all the entries up to 
and including Sept. 25th, hut it is not thought worth while to repeat them in this 
translation. 



384 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Wed. 19 E. by S. y, S. 21 36-54 326-12 0-0 0-0 

The wind S.W., stiff topsail breeze. Last night we 
had changeable weather. First we carried two 
courses but now the topsails. We changed our 
course and ran S.E. by E. y 2 E. 

Th. 20 E. by S. 18 36-19 327-39 0-0 0-0 

The wind north, stiff topsail breeze. Last night we 
had much rain and variable wind, mostly S.W. 

N.W. 

Fr. 21 E. by S. y 2 S.29 37-46 329-54 0-0 5-4 

The wind N.E., topsail breeze, S. by W. from the 

baermacdes, 3S fine weather and we sailed east. 
Sat. 22 E. by N. yj E.16 35~54 331-n o-oo-[o] 

The wind north, light breeze and fair weather. 
Sun. 23 E. by N. 8 36-0 331-49 35-18 0-0 

The wind N.W. with [occasional] calms and fair 

weather. 
Mon. 24 E. by N. ]/ 2 E. 23 35-31 331-39 35-28 0-0 

The wind N.W., various breezes and fair weather. 
Tti. 25 E. 5 35-28 333-59 0-0 

fitful winds and calms. 
Wed. 26 E. by N. 23 0-0 335-49 35-45 

The wind S., unsteady. 
Th. 27 E. by N. 18 35-59 337-15 0-0 

The wind S. W., raw weather, low sails. 39 
Fr. 28 E. by N. 36 36-27 340-9 0-0 

The wind S.W., raw weather keeping all hands busy, 

low sails. 
Sat. 29 E. by N. 30 36-50 342-35 0-0 

The wind S.W., weather keeping all bands busy. 
Sun. 30 E. x / 2 N. 38 0-0 345-6 37-0 

The wind S.W. topsail breeze, fair weather. 
Mon. 31 N.E. ]/ 2 N. 23 37-49 346-37 0-0 

The wind S.W., light topsail breeze. We leave the 

Gulf Stream. 
September 

Tu. t E. by N. y 2 N. 22 0-0 348-19 38-16 

The wind S., light topsail breeze, fair weather. 
Wed. 2 E. by N. 28 0-0 350-26 38-37 

The wind S.. fitful weather. 



3S Bermudas. 

,,J lacge seilen; possibly means that lower sails only were set. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS .385 

Th. 3 E.N.E. 23 0-0 352-8 39-10 

The wind S., raw, changeable weather. 
Fr. 4 E. y 2 N. 25 0-0 353-49 39- 2 3 

The wind S., topsail breeze. 
Sat. 5 E. 31 39-23 356-29 0-0 

The wind S., raw, changeable weather. 
Sun. 6 E. by N. ^ N. 12 39-34 356-56 0-0 

The wind S., light breeze and at noon we saw a sail to 

our lee and toward evening it came near us. It was 
with tibbout Capt. tibbout from iiissingen. i0 That night we both 

drifted in a calm. 
Mon. 7 E. / 2 N. 12 0-0 357-54 39-39 . 

parted The wind S.W., light breeze and at sunset the north 

from him point of Coerua il lay two leagues S.E. from us. 

Light breeze. 
Tu. 8 At noon the north point of Coerua lay about 16 

leagues W. from us; latitude 40 deg. 10 min., longi- 
tude 1 deg. 4 min. Calms. 
Wed. 9 N.E. Yi E. 12 40-41 1-5 1 0-0 

The wind S.S.E., light breeze. 
Th. 10 N.N.W. 5 41-0 1-42 0-0 

The wind east, a gale with one sail. 
Fr. 11 N.W. 4 41-11 1-31 0-0 

The wind east, stiff topsail [breeze]. 
Sat. 12 N.E. by N. 11 41-47 2 ~3 4 2 ~44 

The wind S.E., light breeze. 
Sun. 13 N.E. 9 0-0 2-28 43-9 

The wind S.E., calm. 
Mon. 14 E.N.E. 19 0-0 4-0 43-38 

The wind W.S.W., light breeze, fair weather. 
Tu. 15 E.N.E. 26 0-0 6-7 44-19 

The wind W.S.W., light breeze. 
Wed. 16 E.N.E. 30 0-0 8-35 45-2 

The wind W.S.W., light topsail breeze. 
Th. 17 E.N.E. 27 45-43 10-55 0-0 0-0 

The wind W.S.W., gale. 
Fr. 18 E. by N. 5 45-48 n-33 0-0 0-0 

The wind north with calms. 
Sat. 19 E. 22 0-0 1 3-1 45-49 0-0 

The wind north and a light topsail breeze. In the 



40 Vlissingen, on the island of Walcheren, Netherlands. 
u Corvo, one of the Azores; see note on p. 371. 

25 



3^6 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



two sails evening we saw two sails to windward astern. They 

were sailing E.N.E. and we were then steering N.E., 
but it was not long before we changed to E.N.E. 
also and at sunset they were two leagues from us. 

Sun. 20 E. y 2 N. ' 2.7 o-[o] 15-34 45-49 0-0 

The wind north, stiff topsail breeze. This morning 
we saw no sails. 

Mon. 21 In the morning we saw a sail about a half league 

astern of us. He turned and ran W. by N. Seeing 
this we set all our sails and followed him. The wind 
was north and the breeze light so that we could 
make no progress on our voyage. We thought that 
it might be a Portuguese, 
lat. at E. by S. 5 45-56 16- 1 0-0 o-[o] 

noon The wind north with calms. We followed him hard 

and in the night at the end of the first watch we 
came near him and asked him where he came from 
and he replied that he was from roscl 42 and came 
from teereiiooue. 43 We told him to take in his sails 
to stay with us, which he did. 
Tu. 22 In the morning we understood him thoroughly but 

it was not to our liking. We lowered our boat, went 
on board of him and took some fish. We cleaned 
the bottom of our ship somewhat for it was perfectly 
calm, 
at noon W.S.W. 5 0-0 15-36 45-49 0-0 

The wind or breeze east but at noon there was a 
steady breeze as above. We took leave of the other 
ship and both went north and at sunset he was about 
two leagues away from us. The wind as above. 

Wed. 23 N. 25 47-29 15-36 0-0 0-0 

The wind east, topsail breeze. 

Th. 24 N. by E. 35 48-46 18-29 0-0 

The wind S.E., stiff topsail breeze. At noon we saw 
a sail to windward about a league away; he also 
stood toward the Channel. 
Fr. 25 E. by N. ^2 0-0 20-37 48-54 o-[o] 

The wind south, raw weather and at noon we cast 
bottom the lead and struck bottom at 90 fathoms. 

*■ la Rochelle. 

43 Terre Neuve; that is, Newfoundland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 387 

Sat. 26 In the morning we sounded again and found then 

at 80 fathoms fine grayish sand. From that point 
we sailed east. We saw two ships which entered the 
Channel also. At noon we had sailed 36 leagues E. 
by N. and the latitude by reckoning was 49 deg. 20 
min. The wind was west but changed to north. 
We then sounded again and found white sand at 75 
fathoms. We then set our course toward the E.N.E. 
and thought that we were in the Channel near heij 
sant, Ai about 14 leagues away from it ; it began to blow 
hard. That whole night we sailed with the two 
lower sails. 

Sun. 27 In the morning the wind and course was as above. 

We saw three ships coming toward us ; they were 
going S.W. but we did not speak them ; and we saw 
also a fleet which followed them. In the afternoon 
there came another fleet in which were many Scotch 
ships and vessels from Lubeck and Hamburg, which 
we spoke. Bottom here at 60 fathoms. By our 
reckoning we were nine leagues N. by E. from 
lecscrt. 45 The wind north and turned to the west. 

Mon. 28 In the morning it was very calm. We were sur- 

rounded by a fleet and about nine o'clock there was 
a fine breeze from the west. We then sailed N.E. 
and lecsert lay N.E. by N. from us. During the 
night it blew hard and it was very dark. We laid 
to with one lower sail. 

Tu. 29 in the morning we made sail again, but at one 

o'clock in the afternoon we saw leesert lying S.W. 
from us, at a distance of about two leagues and the 
wind changed to N.W. so that we could not make 
faelmuiden** and set course for plcijmuidcu. 47 We 
arrived there in the evening and found no Dutch 
ships there. 



Wed. 30 


The wind south. 


October 




Th. 1 


As above. 


Fr. 2 


As above. 


44 lie d'Ouessant, 


or Ushant Island, department of Finistere, France. 


45 The Lizard. 




" Falmouth. 




47 Plymouth. 





388 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Sat. 3 As above. 

Sun. 4 As above. 

Mon. 5 The wind east, we cleaned. 

Tu. 6 The wind as above. 

Wed. 7 As above. 

Th. 8 As above. 

Fr. 9 As above. 

Sat. 10 As above. 

Sun. 11 As above. 

Mon. 12 As above. 

Tu. 13 A fleet of about 140 sail came here. The wind 

as above. 

Wed. 14 The wind as above. We sailed toward the fleet. 

Th. 15 The wind south. 

Fr. 16 As above. 

Sat. 17 The wind west. We set sail with the fleet and 

toward evening it became calm so that the hindmost 
ship could not get out and we all anchored in the 
roadstead. At night came a breeze so that a ship 
drifted across our bow. We lost our anchor and 
cable, weighed and sailed again behind draecken 
Island. 48 

Sun. 18 In the morning the wind was S.E. and it blew 

hard so that we all entered the harbor again and in 
the afternoon the ship haerlem came in. 

Mon. 19 The ship de sout bergh put in here also. 

Tu. 20 The wind as above. 

Wed. 21 As above with storm. 

Th. 22 As above. 

Fr. 23 The wind northerly, good weather. 

Sat. 24 N.E. good weather. 

Sun. 25 S.E. with storm. 

Mon. 26 As above. 

Tu. 27 As above. 

Wed. 28 As above. 

Th. 29 As above. 

Fr. 30 The wind N.W., sailed out into the roadstead. 

Sat. 31 The wind about west. We sailed with a topsail 

breeze. In the evening we were N. by E. of 
tuirbaeij. 49 



48 St Nicholas or Drake's Island, in Plymouth Sound. 
*■ Tor Bay, on the east coast of Devonshire. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 389 

November 

Sun. 1 In the morning we were about opposite poertiant.^' 

The wind as above, stiff topsail breeze and in the 
afternoon we saw wicht. 51 It blew hard from the 
west and we ran before the wind with the foresail. 
At about midnight we saw beuesier 32 with very 
rough weather from the W.N.W. and the N.W. Wo 
then sailed E. by N. and later N.E. 

Mon. 2 In the morning we were off the French coast, 

south of the oude man, 53 with storm from the 
N.N.W. We turned again toward the west. This 
morning four Dunkirkers came among the fleet but 
did no harm. 

Tu. 3 The wind as above with stiff weather, for lower 

sails only. 

Wed. 4 From morning till noon it was calm and in the 

afternoon the wind became west, and at night we 
sailed between the hoefden. 54 

Th. 5 In the morning the wind was as above with a 

topsail breeze and about noon a stiff topsail breeze. 

Fr. 6 About nine o'clock we came into tessel. 

Sat. 7 About nine o'clock in the morning we arrived in 

God's name before amsterdam. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Peter Minuit 50 

December 25, 1637 

Pietter Minuijtt, commander under the crown of Sweden, on the 
ship dc calmer sleutel 56 lying at the Texel 

This 25th of December 1637 
Heer Commandcur: This sudden change of weather and win 1 
quite upsets me so that I must write today in haste and in an 1111 
becoming fashion. Yesterday evening I had the goods specified in 
the enclosed invoice put on board the lighter of your honor's skip- 



50 Portland. 
" Isle of Wight. 
62 Beachy Head. 
5:; The Old Man. 
" The Headlands. 

1 . 7?. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.osb. This letter is in the handwriting of Kilacn van 
Rensselaer. 

56 The Key of Kalmar. 



390 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

per while the wind was still west, not thinking that this sudden 
change would come. It froze during the night and this morning 
the wind has become northerly with storm and high water and may 
very easily shift to northeast and so be exceedingly awkward for 
me, as none of my people who were to sail with you for my colony 
are at hand ; if the wind becomes easterly, I am therefore con- 
strained to recommend you in the most friendly and urgent manner 
not only to stow away and transport my goods dry in your honor's 
ship, but also at your convenience to deliver thern at the Manhatans 
to my nephew W outer van Twitter, or in his absence to some one 
else with recommendation from me to the director there, named 
Willem Kijcft, to have the same taken at the first opportunity to 
my colony of Rensselaerswyck and delivered to Jacop planck, my 
officer and comniis. If I have time, I shall write to the said 
director, as well as to my nephew JVoutter van TwiUer, Jacop 
planck and others; if not, your honor must in this case do for me 
the best you can ; in return you must command me wherever I can 
do you a service or kindness. I have paid to Jan hendrixsz, the 
skipper of your honor's ship, on account of board, transportation 
of my people and one half of the lighter freight, 70 Dncatons at 
fS '-3 e ach, amounting to f22o:io, which your honor can credit on 
the account of my people. I hope that the weather will stay a while 
as it is, so that some may get on board, especially my cousin arcnt 
van Corlcr, whom I recommend most strongly to your honor as he 
is still young and quite inexperienced; if not, your honor will no 
doubt be able to use yourself the provisions which your honor's 
skipper bought for these people, and, if not, deliver what remains 
at the Manhatans together with my other goods. The box No. M, 
in which are the six firelocks, is not included in the manifest; 57 you 
will be able to defend this [by counting] them among the necessary 
arms of your honor's or my people. Having no more time to 
spare at present, I pray that God Almighty may grant your honor 
a happy and successful voyage to the glory of His holy name and 
to the discomfiture of our common enemy. I had heartily hoped 
that your honor would have come once more yourself, which could 
still take place if the wind and the weather allow. Before your 
departure please advise me of the receipt of this letter and the 
goods. 

N. B. Loaded in the lighter of jacop janscn, lighterman, to be 
taken to the Texcl to the ship dc Calmer Sleutel, commander picttcr 



67 Convoij brijeff. 



Ah 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 391 

Miniiijt and skipper jehan hcndrixsz v de zvacttcr ; this 24th of 
December 1637, in Amsterdam. 

With manifest of the following items marked as in the margin. 
ABC being three wooden boxes, contents according to 
manifest 
^ D E F G H being five packing boxes 58 
> W/ N. B. I one ditto chest also included in the manifest which 
could not be got ready and will be sent herewith or 
later according to the time available 
K L two barrels of salt (smaltonnen) 
M a long box with firelocks ; herewith, ordered by hendrick 

Trip, a keg with 50 lb of fine gunpowder 
N a large wicker hamper with wooden utensils 
O being five winnowing baskets tied together ; a small barrel 
with grapevines for the Commander Miniiijt 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 59 

December 25, 163J 

Jacop planck, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

In Amsterdam, 25 December 1637 
This in haste, serving only to transmit the enclosed invoice of 
the goods which I am sending you through the kindness of Com- 
mander Pietter Miniiijt, who has made accommodation for them in 
his ships. If I have time I shall write you more at length; mean- 
while take proper care of my affairs and enter these goods on my 
account. Do therewith the best you can and do not forget to send 
me at the very first opportunity the account of the goods sent to 
you by my small ship, charging the expenses of the people who 
came over with it according to the contracts sent you. Do not 
delay any longer either the accounts of the farms and my account 
with the Company and what further may be necessary. I must cut 
this short because it is Christmas and the wind now northerly may 
soon shift to the east. Yesterday evening and this morning the 
goods were loaded in the lighter to be taken to the Texel. I have 
not time to write more. 



58 cargasoen kisien. 

50 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.95l>. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 



392 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

P. S. If weather and wind allow, I shall write you about 
everything at length. 1 am very much displeased about the things 
which dirrick Corsscn has clone in my colony contrary to my in- 
structions. This must not happen again or I should have to take 
entirely different measures. The longest of the six firelocks that 
are in the box you will deliver to jchan lebattij, carpenter, who 
ordered it of me, charging the same to his account. The gun itself 
cost f 14, to which must be added the 50$ advance. I have engaged 
six persons to go over this time, but not one is at hand. Among 
others there goes to serve you as assistant, my cousin Arent van 
Corlcr, who can copy everything and write me of all more at length 
than has been done thus far, for I long particularly to have in- 
formation about everything. Do not neglect to keep a daily journal 
of everything that happens in the colony. When my cousin comes 
he will copy it all and relieve you. Enclosed are two letters to 
ghijsbcrt op den dijck which I have left open. You can copy them 
and at the same time inquire about the slate hill, 60 also take notice 
of other things which it contains. Then seal them and have them 
delivered to him unless you go to see him yourself. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 61 

December 26, 1637 

Willem Kijeft, commander in New Netherland 

This 26th of December 1637 
Heer Commandcnr: This sudden east wind come up in the 
midst of our Christmas holidays hinders me on the one hand in 
my devotions and on the other hand makes me commit the im- 
pertinence of not writing properly to your honor as the lighter 
must now go at once. 

[space in original] 

as to my regret a few days after your honor's departure from the 
Texel, my small vessel arrived here from New Netherland, which 
had arrived already on the 29th of September at plcymuijcifi 2 am! 
could have been here. However, luck would not have it that, ac- 



"" Schalijcn bcrch; see also p. 397. 

61 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.9sb. 

62 Plymouth, England. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 393 

cording to my Freedoms, I should send the goods needed by me ii. 
your honor's ships for nothing and I have now been obliged to 
pay duty. 03 But now this opportunity offers itself that Commander 
pieter minnewiet, at present in the service of the crown of Sweden 
and sailing from Gortenborch, 6 * has on account of storm been 
obliged to seek shelter at the Texel, and by reason of old acquain- 
tance does me the kindness to take on board what in haste and 
half in disorder I have been able to bring together in the way of 
necessaries for my people and to forward the same at his convenience 
to the Manhatans to my nephew ivolter van twiller, in order not 
to trouble your honor too much. However, as he may perhaps 
have left before the arrival of this letter, at all events will have 
turned over his command to your honor, I take the liberty of 
recommending these in haste to your honor also, that the said 
necessaries may be sent at the first and best opportunity from the 
manhatans to my colony. On account of lack of time I send en- 
closed the copy [of the invoice] in brief, but if your honor should 
wish to examine the same more fully your will find in the letter to 
my officer and cominis, Jacob planck, the full and itemized invoice 
and will find that there is actually nothing in it but what is needed 
for my people; wherewith, as I have not a minute of time left, on 
account of the short days, I will end, commending your honor to 
the gracious protection of the Most High. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 65 

December 26, 1637 

Woutter van Twiller, commander in New Netherland 

This 26th of December 1637 
Mon Cousin: This sudden east wind not only prevents my de- 
votions during these holidays, for tomorrow is Communion day, 
but does not give me sufficient time to read your honor's letter, 
much less to reply to the same properly, wherefore I postpone that 
to our next meeting, God willing. I had the misfortune that the 
ships of the Company had left before my small vessel arrived and 
not being satisfied with the management of supercargo (dirrick 



03 Convoy, see p. 95. 

64 Goteborg. 

« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.96. 



394 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Cor sen and) 66 the skipper I do not think it advisable to send our 
vessel out (again) 66 before your honor's arrival. However, as 
Iacob plane writes me for various necessaries for my people and 
the ships of the Company with the new director have left, I have 
this unexpected opportunity that pieter minnewiet, who is now in 
the service of the crown of Sweden and presumably will show a 
commission there for the regions about [Virginia?], 67 in which 
enterprise however I do not share in the least, by reason of old 
acquaintance does me the kindness to carry over a few boxes and 
small chests with necessaries for my people, of which I have not time 
to advise you or to send you the invoice. I have sent it in brief 
to the new commander willem kyeft and in detail enclosed 
in the letter to Jacob plaiick. If you care to open that you will find it 
therein and among the items you will find nothing but necessaries 
for my people. I do not have time either to write more fully 
to Iacob planck; please see to it. that these goods be sent to him 
in my colony. I had engaged six persons to go over too, among 
them our cousin Arent van Corlcr, a young man of good principles 
over whom your father is now appointed guardian, but as he went 
home once more to prepare himself, he will probably come too late, 
as the lighter must go at once. Of these six only one goes here- 
with, named Iacob adriaens. 1 : van zvttrecht, m engaged as farm serv- 
ant or tobacco planter or whatever else he is fit for. He has also 
some knowledge of vegetable gardening. I have sent along a small 
barrel with grapevines and other things to be taken to my colony. 
Please send along from the maenatans some apples, pears and other 
fruits, also a few grapevine shoots that have come from here, to 
plant them and see whether they will grow or take hold. I have 
put in his barrel also some of mine; it seems to me it will be best 
that he should go and live with albert andricsscn if his tobacco 
has succeeded well, wherewith ending. Vale. 



88 These words enclosed in parentheses are inserted in the margin of the Letter Book 
in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

07 soo comt my deese onverwachte occasie voor, dot pieter minnewiet hm In dienste 
van de Croon sweeden, die apparcntelyck Commissie aldacr sal vertoonen, ontrent naer 
de quartieren In varilide. See letters to Willem Kieft and to Ulrich Lupoltt, May y 
and May 8, 1638, p. 403, 405. 

08 See p. 395, 397, 398. 










ON ON 



o 

Q s 






Bd 



!h 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 395 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Peter Minuit 09 

December 29, 1637 
Pietter Minuytt 

This 29th of December 1637 

Heer Commandeur: The bearer of this letter, my cousin arcnt 
van Corler, sailing to my colony as assistant, is recommended to 
you to accommodate him as much as your honor's situation will 
allow. I trust that your honor will not fail herein but show me 
friendship. I should also be much pleased, inasmuch as he is still 
young and inexperienced, if you had a little instruction given to 
him in the processes of ship's bookkeeping as well as in the keeping 
of land accounts, as his master Jacob Planck, with whom he will be, 
is not too expert in these matters himself. He takes with him a 
mate's chest marked on the inside No. 1, in which there are some 
Hainault and grass scythes and other hardware which I could not 
put into the lighter which sailed on Saturday and therefore did not 
reach your honor till yesterday. This small chest you will please 
add to the other items mentioned in my last letter, and under super- 
vision or in the keeping of my aforesaid cousin have brought to 
the manatans by the best means you can find. With him go the 
following young men engaged for my colony, to wit : 

Arent van Corler, assistant, 18 years old 
Elbert albert sen, 18 years old 
Claes Jansen, ly years old 
(i err it hen' 1 , 15 years old 
Gijs h Arentscn, 22 years old. 

70 Loaded also 
Z i, one barrel 
^ of pitch, well hooped, 
£18 
2 barrels of tar, together 



W 



( )n Saturday, with the goods, went: 
Jacob A rent sen, 25 years old 

Together six persons, who are recommended to your honor and 
whom, with my goods, you will please cause to reach the manatans 
at the earliest opportunity that circumstances will allow. From 
there I hope they will get further. I wish your honor good luck 
on the voyage. 



00 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.96b. 

70 This marginal note in handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



396 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 71 

[December 29, 163/] 

Willem Kijeft, commander in New Netherland 

Heer Commandcur: Time presses me so that I can not even 
write to my nephew woutter van twiller nor to my commis Jacob 
plane k. I therefore trust all my affairs to your honor. Enclosed 
1 send the invoice at length of all that I have sent your honor and 
in brief also the conditions and contracts with my people, from 
which your honor may see how sincerely I mean not to defraud 
the Company in the least, neither by sending questionable goods 
thither, nor by making contracts which may prejudice their trade, 
yet in everything saving my rights in the matter, as I do not at all 
consider that all the people of my colony but only the patroon or 
his agents have the said rights of article 15. 72 Please hand the 
enclosed papers to my nephew ivoutter van twiller to send them 
under his cover with my people and goods to my colony to the 
commis Iacob plane k, with orders to distribute the people where 
they are most needed, recommending especially my cousin Arent 
van Corler as assistant of Jacob plane k, that he may make note of 
everything; also, that of these young fellows some or most of them 
may be assigned to tobacco planting with Albert andricsen if he has 
had good success, but if the planting of tobacco should not suc- 
ceed well in my colony these people must be distributed among the 
farmers. At all events, please let Jacob planck have the enclosed 
copies, to record them. Please, Sir, after humble salutation to be 
graciously commended to Almighty God and together with my 
nephew woutter van twiller to be heartily saluted. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 73 

December 29, 1637 

This day, 29 December 1637, in Amsterdam 
Jacob planck: 

In addition to what I wrote you of before, I liave also shipped 
the following: 



71 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.97. 

72 Article 15 of the Freedoms and Exemptions. 
7 » V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.o 7 b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



397 



No. i. an old mate's chest containing 

30 Hainault scythes at 30 st f45 

14 scythes at £4 f56 

Zl 12 iron spades at 14^ st f 8 14 74 

X 

>W fi09 14 

one barrel of pitch, well hooped, costs. . f 18 

two barrels of tar, cost f 15 

There are also 2 barrels of salt, No. K. L., cost each f6, together 
fi2; I do not know whether they are entered in the preceding- 
invoice. 

Herewith go also 6 persons : 

1 Arcnt van Coder, to serve you as assistant 

2 Jacob arisch van wttrecht ) can do farm work 

3 Ghysbert aertsen van Bunnick ) 

these 3 fellows 
are intended 
for the tobacco 
planting under 
Albert andriescn, 
if he succeeds, 
otherwise to serve 
with the farmers. 



Elbert elbersz van nieukarck, weaver 
clacs Jansen van nieukerck, tailor 
Gcrrit Hendrickss van nieukerck, 
shoemaker 



The agreements with these people, for how many years they are 
engaged and what they are to receive, I have on account of lack 
of time sent to the director of the Company, Will em Kyejt, to 
hand the same with the invoice of the goods to my nephew woutter 
van twill er or to you. If I have still time I shall enclose them 
herein. This doubtful weather makes us quite confused. I com- 
mend you to God. 

S r . Adam Bessels, coparticipant in my colony, writes the two 
enclosed letters to you to have the slate hill, 75 which I assigned to 
Ghysbert op den dyck in the presence of Minnuyt, named Bessels 
Berth. Please favor him therein if it is at all promising, otherwise 
call one of the farms of Syman walkhsz and Cornells maesen, 
Bessels Berch, as aforesaid, and the other Tripcburch, also after 
one of my participants. 

The tobacco must be sent over not rolled up but in the leaf. 



74 The Letter Book has f8:i9- 

75 schalien Berch oftc leyberch. 



398 NEW YOKK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 70 

December 29, 1637 

Wouttcr Van Twiller 

This day, 29 December 1637, in Amsterdam 

Mon Cousyn: This uncertain weather and the tarrying of my 

people makes me so stupid that I hardly know what I am doing. 

I have sent to the commander willem Kycft my invoice of all my 

goods, also the agreements and names of my people, with request 

to hand the same to your honor or to Jacob planck. The people 

are six in number, among them our cousin Arent van Corler as 

assistant in my colony to Jacob planck. Please give him a little 

instruction and information as I have not time to do so. My 

people are these : 

Arent van Corler, assistant 

Jacob ariaenss van Wttrecht ~\ . 

„, , ... I farm servants 

(jliysbcrt arcntsz van bunnick j 

r tobacco planters under __ 
Elbert elbcrsen van Nieukerck albert Andricsscn, if 

Claes Jansen van nieuivkerck -s it [the planting] has 

Gerritt Hendricxsz van nyckcrck succeeded well, other- 
wise with the farmers. 
I urge your honor to help dispatch these people and my goods 
to my colony at the first opportunity in order that they may still 
plant tobacco this year. I thank your honor for the roll of 
tobacco sent to me through Arent Corssen, which your honor's 
brother hendrick and others have shared also. I shall supply your 
honor with people; please demand of the director willem Kyeft 
the contracts and invoice sent him with the request to hand them to 
your honor and let Jacob planck have all the copies so that he may 
record them. If before your departure you could find time to 
inspect my colony from one end to the other and examine every- 
thing as carefully as possible and then report to me, I should be 
pleased. Your honor is warned that tobacco in the leaf is in better 
demand and more readily sold here than rolled up. 

Please have the enclosed handed to Jacob planck with the goods 
and, if you think fit, feel free to open it, but said planck" must not 
come home yet by the first ship. 



79 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Booh, f.98. 
77 The words "but said planck" are crossed out in the Letter Book. See p. 401. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 399 



Inventory of goods consigned to Jacob Albertsz Planck by the 
ship het Wapen van Noorwegen 78 

April 28, 1638 

Honor be to God, this day, 28 April 1638, in Amsterdam 
Loaded in the ship called hct waepen van noorweegen 79 for the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck, these following goods, consigned to 
Jacob albertsz planck, or whoever may fill his place in 
^-f« his absence, marked as in the margin and numbered as 
i^ follows, sailing as supercargo on said ship; 80 may God 
\^^ watch over the same and bring it to its place of destina- 
tion. 

1 an East India chest in which Norwegian 81 kerseys, canvases, 

linen and divers other goods for the needs of the human body. 

2 an oblong chest in which stockings, blankets, divers articles for 

the care of horses, lead and axes 

3 an oblong chest in which kerseys, pewter dishes, goblets, shoes 

and other articles 

4 a ditto chest in which 29 blankets 

5 a ditto chest in which iron, grass scythes, Hainault scythes, Eng- 

lish coin, wooden handles 82 for Hainault scythes and fish 
hoop nets 

6 a ditto cbest in which 120 shirts, blankets and a few small pack- 

ages which must be delivered at the manhatans, wherefore 
this cbest must be opened there 

7 a ditto cbest in which 13 firelocks and 12 powder horns 

8 6 winnowing baskets 

9 a packing box 83 filled with soil in which some plants are planted 

also . . . , 84 
10 a small barrel with dried currants 
n one half quarter [hogshead] of oil 

12 a barrel with various spices 

13 20 Edam cheeses in a box 

14 9 Leyden cheeses in a box 



s /'. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.oob. 
711 The Arms of Norway. 

* u Name of Cornelis Melyn, the supercargo, not given in Letter Book, nor any blank 
left. 

sl noortse. 

»' werven. • ! ' 

s3 Cargcsocn kist. 

84 Ulank in Letter Book. i I" 1 ; j ;: 



400 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

15 one oil barrel 85 in which 4 firkins of soap 

also 2 casks of pitch and 2 casks of tar, 20 bundles of rods 
from Liege, 10 bundles of French rods, 13 bundles of iron 
bars, 27 pieces of sheet iron, 12 pieces of ploughshare iron and 
5 hoct 86 of smith's coal, one hogshead of vinegar and 4 kegs 
of salt, 8850 hard bricks and 1000 red bricks, a keg of gun- 
powder 

18 young mares with their feed and casks and troughs with 
water 

also a rope, 30 fathoms long 

a copper pot and a long gun for Jan la montangie 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller 87 

May 6, 1638 
wouter van twiller 

Honor be to God, in Amsterdam, this day, 6 May 1638 

Monsieur mon Coitsyn : Enclosed herein are copies of the letters 
sent to your honor by den Harinck and later in the winter by the 
ship de Calmer sleutel. I hope that the people and the goods sent 
therewith have come over safely and have at this time, by the grace 
of God, arrived in my colony of Rensselaerswyck so that I may still 
this year reap the fruits of their labor either in farming or planting 
of tobacco. This letter goes to your honor while I am again in 
uncertainty whether your honor will still be there or will have left 
when this letter arrives, since the commander willem Kijeft, who is 
to relieve your honor, was to leave the Barrilnudes 88 about the 4th 
of February and could have joined you in a few days, but it is 
still uncertain whether he left that exact day ; also, because the 
skipper lange willem? 9 who in return for having hurried your honor 
so was obliged to wait here a year before he could put to sea, will 
now perhaps not make much haste. However, if this should still 
come to hand, you will in answer to yours sent by Martten gerritsz 
under date of 20 November please understand the following : 

First, that I have received your honor's draft for f3OO0 and have 
presented it to some gentlemen'' who gave me little hope of paying 
the same before your arrival here, and as the question between 



85 olicaem = 120 mengelcn = 37 .98 gallons. 
80 hoet = 33.35 bushels. 

87 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.98. 

88 Bermudas. 

80 Long William. 

80 Referring to the directors of the W. I. Co. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 40I 

the Chambers concerning an open trade to Brazil has caused much 
trouble since usually most of the directors are out of town and oc- 
cupied, I have not been able to press the matter very hard. It 
seems that the matter is now settled that the trade to Brazil will be 
carried on by the participants jointly, each in proportion to his in- 
vestment, which is well if the money is used properly and not mis- 
used. What they will do with New Netherland, we shall see in 
course of time. I imagine that they are only waiting for advice 
from the new director Kyeft ; as far as I am concerned they may do 
as they please. I expect to carry on my colony with all courage and 
vigor and send therefore in God's name, by this ship het zvaepen van 
noortweegen, of which Cornells melyn is supercargo and in the 
equipment of which the colony of Rensselaer swyck shares one half, 
in addition, on payment of freight, 18 mares with several farmers, 
their wives and laborers and a quantity of goods for the separate 
account of the said colony, although three of the aforesaid 18 horses 
belong to Jacob wolphersz, as we do not know whether we shall 
divide them or let them go there together. 

Clacs rainaeckcr had also three horses among them, but these I 
have taken over from him and paid for so that there are 15 horses 
for the colony among them. May God Almighty watch over them. 
I recommend your honor to do your best to have them sent up at 
the first opportunity, agreeable to my orders and instructions given 
to Jacob plane k, whom for good reasons I have asked to stay there 
for the present. As to Martten gerritsz? 1 he has begun to make me 
some propositions, but as he is in gelderlant and not in the city very 
little has been done. I shall expect your honor's arrival, God willing, 
by the first ship and then take hold of the matter with more vigor. 
Icronimns La Croix has also communicated to me the circumstances 
of his journeys 02 through the inaquans land to the Sinnekens and 
to the Fresh River where the English come much too high up and 
too near to us. The Company must open their eyes. I think, or they 
will lose the best part of that fair region. As for yourself, you 
would better be careful and well prepared ; all calumnies will disap- 
pear and the curse change to a blessing. Salomon van solderbeeck 
lias been an evil instrument. 

I have received a roll of tobacco of which your honor makes no 
mention in his letter and I have divided it among the friends here 



81 Formerly commis at Fort Orange. See p. 3 2 9- 

w The accounts of these journeys were not among the collection when placed in the 
hands of the present editor. See note about the account of the journey to the Senecas, 
p. 271 of this volume. 
26 



4-02 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and at nyckerck and thank your honor for the remembrance. 
When you come here, God willing, you may still have a taste thereof. 
I hope that ours in the colony has succeeded well too under albert 
diterinck,' 3 although they write from there that it is somewhat hot 
for the reason that it has been picked early. I recommend to you 
to advance and instruct our cousin Arent van Corlcr as much as 
time and place will allow ; only, let him be diligent and record and 
note down everything and advise me on all occasions, not sparingly 
but as fully as he can. 

The animals which are already in the colony, together with the 
horses and the people who go over now, are also recommended 
to you for the time that your honor stays there. In chest No. 6 
are put three packages belonging to your farm servants, with letters 
tied on top of them, which must be taken out at the manhataiis and 
the chest closed again. I do not know whether there are any among 
them from your father, brother or other friends, as your brother 
brought them here as they are from nyckerck. The friends at 
nyckerck as well as here are well, God be praised, except my 
brother in law thomas ran JVccly, who has a fluxion to his thigh so 
that he can not walk. I hope that he will soon be better. Your 
honor's sister Grietgen has had fever several times but was getting 
better. They all send you many greetings. I would write more at 
length, but fear that you will have left before this letter arrives. If 
not, make as much haste as possible to come hither and to defend 
your affairs before the Company ; wherewith ending, I commend 
your honor to the gracious protection of God Almighty and with 
hearty salutations from my wife, our children, mother van weeley 
and all her family, I remain . 

I urge you to keep the farm at the mahhatans for me ; also to 
see that I get some cows from some one or other as I am propor- 
tionately least provided with them. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 04 

May 7, 1638 
S r : Willem Kieft 

This day, 7 May 1638 
1 1< movable, prudent Sir : As shortly after your honor's departure 
from the Texel my small vessel arrived here from New Nethcrland 



m Probably a mistake for albert andriesa 

84 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.ioo. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 403 

bringing me advice of some things needed by my people there and 
it so happened that the ship dc Calmer Slutel, commander fitter 
minict in the service of the crown of Sweden, was obliged to seek 
shelter here at the Texel on account of storm, I did not want to neg- 
lect this opportunity, though in midwinter and in freezing weather, 
of supplying my people as far as possible with necessaries and of 
improving the condition of New Netherland as much as possible a^ 
to population, and, trusting to God's mercy, I have also sent over 
six persons, though his destination was unknown to me. I could 
make out only this much, that he expected to go to Virginia, from 
which region I have asked him to try to find opportunity to send 
my goods and people to the Company's settlement. As I had to 
do this, hesitating between hope and fear, immediately before and 
during the Christmas holidays, when I could ask no letters to 
lepolcfi 5 of the West India Company, I have consigned my aforesaid 
goods and people with all the papers and instructions to your honor. 
I hope that the same have arrived safely and been sent by your 
honor to the proper place. I shall not fail to show myself grateful 
on all occasions where I can do your honor a kindness and if there 
is anything in my colony which your honor might desire, all you 
have to do is to speak to my com 111 is. Also, if there should be any- 
thing among the goods or necessaries which I send over, which your 
honor needs or can use, you have but to request it of him, as I seek in 
every way to keep on good terms not only with the lords directors 
in this country but more especially with their officers and servants 
on your side, in order that the region of New Netherland may not 
decline through discord (with which it has for many years been 
cursed but too much) but may, through harmony, each respecting 
the rights of others, by God's gracious blessing be changed to a 
flourishing and useful state, toward which I on my part do and 
will continue to do all I can. As Claes Cornelisz rademacckcr and 
Jacob zvolfersen van amersfoortt, according to the enclosed extract, 
had obtained consent to send over a ship with cattle, about which 
they did not just know what course to take, I helped them out and 
filled the vacant room with horses and other goods, as you will 
sec from the copy of the manifest signed by the lords directors, 
the original of which is in possession of Cornells melyn, supercargo 
of this present skip het waepen van ndorwegen, in which are 15 
horses for the account of my colony and three for Jacob wolphersen; 
Claes Coriielissen sends over none because there was not room 



■ lepolycke brieven; perhaps intended for bchoorlyckc brieven, proper letters. 



404 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

enough. We had expected to put in many more horses, but the 
water, hay and oats for the horses and the salt and other things 
for the fishery have taken up too much room. 

I urge you in the most friendly manner to lend my people the 
helping hand as much as is possible without detriment to the Com- 
pany, that with the said horses, their baggage and other goods, 
they may be sent to the colony at the earliest moment to perform, 
in God's name, with courage their agreed service and labor. If 
among my horses there should be a particularly fine one which you 
would like, you can take it for yourself and in its stead provide the 
farmers with another or poorer one. 

I shall also be much pleased if detailed lists and accounts are 
sent to me of the goods which my commis furnishes to the Com- 
pany and receives in return, in order that there may arise no mis- 
understanding ; also, if the payment for my grain, which beyond all 
contradiction is a product of the soil, might take place in peltries 
to the satisfaction of both sides and if my people in conformity 
with the Freedoms granted may be allowed to trade and sell what 
the Company does not need — provided they pay for the goods so 
traded such duty or freight as the aforesaid Freedoms prescribe ; 
also, if it could be done without hurting the congregation at the 
manhatans, as the people of the Company at Fort Orange and my 
people in the colony have thus far no minister, though I hope to 
procure one for them at the earliest opportunity, that for a time the 
minister at the manhatans might occasionally go thither to console 
and admonish them and to celebrate the Lord's supper with them, 
which would be an agreeable service to me and undoubtedly also 
to the Company as far as their people are concerned, wherewith 
ending for this time. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Ulrich Lupoltt 96 

May 8, 1638 
S r Vlrich Leopoldtt 

Amsterdam, this 8th of May 1638 
Honorable, prudent very discreet Sir: Some weeks ago in con- 
versation with s r . Guilliame momma, my very good and intimate 
friend, your honor's person happened to be mentioned in connection 
with my colony and T was very glad to learn of the good relations 
between you, as on the strength thereof I may with your permission 



V. R. B. Mss, Letter Booh, f.ioi. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 4O5 

avail myself of your services, as far as your situation and the ser- 
vice of the West India Company will allow. To this end I send 
enclosed the letter of s r . momma to your honor by this our ship het 
waepen van noorwegen, whose cargo is largely composed of horses 
for my colony named Rensselaerswyck and some goods and neces- 
saries for my people who are already there or now going over, and 
herewith I make the following request of you. In case my nephew 
W outer van Wilier, formerly director there, shall have left before 
the arrival of this ship, as I suppose he will have done, I would re- 
quest you very kindly, as I do not know what arrangements he may 
have made in the absence of my commis about the affairs of my 
colony or to whom he has entrusted the forwarding and despatch 
of my animals and goods which might come there meanwhile, to look 
after this matter with the person whom he may have ordered to do 
so or with the commis of my colony, if he should be present, ami 
to help along my people as much as possible that they may get up 
the river with the horses and their goods as soon as there is an op- 
portunity by a vessel sailing thither, the like of which I also recom- 
mend to and request of Director willeni kieft and promise grate- 
fully to repay all favors received on any occasion, as it is my in- 
tention, God willing, to avail myself of every opportunity of pro- 
viding the said regions and my colony with as many people and 
animals as possible. Of this I have already made a good beginning 
and have lately, in the heart of winter and by a ship that came here 
on account of storm, sent six persons with some necessaries who 
have, I hope, arrived there in one way or another, though the said 
ship, which sailed in the service of the crown of Sweden, our ally, 
had another and to me unknown destination but as far as I could 
understand was bound for Virginia, or in case of need would seek 
some fresh supplies in our regions. Although by reason of my not 
knowing your honor, I was then unable to recommend my affairs 
to you, I hope nevertheless that for the sake of promoting the popu- 
lation of the commonwealth you have of your own accord helped 
matters along, if the people have arrived; wherewith, from lack of 
further matter and of knowledge of your honor's person and in 
order not to trouble you too much at the very first, I shall leave off 
and should be much pleased to receive a few words in reply. 



406 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam 97 

May 8, 1638 
Picttcr Cornelijsen, master millwright 

This day, 8 May, in Amsterdam, 1638 

The aforewritten is a copy of our last letter sent to you by the 
ship den harinck, which I hope your honor has received; if not, 
your honor can use the said copy. 

Since then, on the 7th of April last, I received by martten Ger- 
ritsen your letter of November 9, 1637, which made me feel some- 
what better again, for I was dissatisfied not to have received any 
writing from you during the whole voyage of my small vessel in 
which your honor sailed when I long so intensely to know how 
everything goes there, whether successfully or unsuccessfully ; [may 
it be] as the Lord wills, if only we fail not to do our part. I was 
much pleased to learn from your honor's letter that the sawmill 
was in operation and with one frame could saw 30 boards a day 
and that your honor would put another frame in it to saw as many 
more ; also, that your honor had built a house near the aforesaid 
mill and intended to establish a brewery and a farm near it and also 
to build a small yacht to sail out on the ocean and make a trip to 
Canada. The zeal is good but the execution lias its difficulties. 
One must not undertake too much at a time in order not to confuse 
one thing with the other. Your son in law Symon Janscn accord- 
ing to your request goes over herewith to be employed by you where 
he can be of most service to me and to you. I should be pleased if 
you remained as much as possible within the limits of the contract 
made with each other in order that no disorder occur, albart an- 
dris. separated from you ; I hear that he is a strange character and it 
is therefore no wonder that he could not get along with you, but 
I hope that you will be able to agree the better with your other 
partner Claes Janse van naerden so as the better to advance the saw- 
mill and the house building. As to the grist-mill and the brewery 
of which you write, I bad already another plan and await but the 
arrival of my nephew wouter van twitter to draw a general order 
regarding them, for you know well enough that all wind and water 
milling [privileges] go with the juris diction, but your honor will 
do well to note down the expenses of the carpenter work with the 
millstones, hardware and other necessaries in order that we may 



" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.ioib. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS Aff] 

have the benefit thereof. And as to the brewery, it must be under 
the management of the one who has the supreme command in the 
colony or the person who will enter into a special contract regarding 
it ; the various affairs must be kept separate and not be mixed, in 
order that many people may make a living thereby, one under- 
taking this and another something else, for I hope to send over 
people from time to time as I do now once more. This costs me 
a great deal, especially for the number of horses, which with the 
expenses and freight, besides the risk, become incredibly dear ; but 
God willing, they will in time reimburse me for the outlay. As to 
what you write about taking a trip to Canada, I do not know whether 
you are fully aware of the condition of trade [in that region] ; 
the French have several charters respecting it, especially along the 
river of canada, and if you or any one else of our people went there 
they would be attacked as enemies ; but I imagine that you refer to 
the coast of cadic situate between capo brcton and the bayc fran- 
coysc, from whose governor hendrick de foreest has had a letter 
which is now in my hands and of which I send you enclosed here- 
with a copy. His residence is for the present still too far from our 
colony to [go] with such a . . .* 18 

but as a provisional measure it would not seem bad to me if in con- 
formity with my freedoms you took care to trade with the English 
at the south and to the north, if you see any profit in it, taking with 
you such planks and boards and grain as there might be on hand in 
my colony, but this should be done in conjunction with my commis 
and officer of the colony in order not to keep a double account 
thereof, which in the end leads to nothing but confusion. I be- 
lieve that Jacob planch is not best fitted for that [work] but I can 
not do anything in the matter before I have talked with my nephew 
wouter van twitter in order then to make a definite decision about it. 
I can not understand very well either from your letter or from that 
of planch how it is about the servants who have been engaged 
together for the mill company, whether they are still together in the 
service of the said mill company or whether they have been distrib- 
uted. Do not forget to write me about everything in detail and at 
length. I am ready to support your zeal, which I notice is so 
satisfactory, but not being sufficiently informed and in ignorance, 
I stand perplexed. The pen must convey to me what personal 
speech can not, and let me hope that you will get along better with 
Clacs Jansc than with albart andrise, etc. Do your best to think of 



88 At this point a line or more appears to have been omitted in the Letter Book. 



408 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

means to support a minister there; I will do my share to that end 
also. Jacob planck writes about £300 a year, but nobody cares to 
go for that. 

N.B. Forget not to send me yearly our account or settle with 
Jacob planck that he send it to me in order that we may know 
definitely where we stand and what profit we make yearly. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen" 

May 10, 1638 

Maurits Jansen van brockhuijsen 

10 May 1638 

Honorable, discreet cousin Maurits Jansen : These few lines 
will serve to let you know that I duly received your letters from 
England, as also those from the colony, and forwarded the enclosed 
to your uncle wynnant van bylaer but received no reply from him. 
In the expectation of good behavior I have procured your advance- 
ment, namely that you are to have a farm on the conditions of all 
the other farmers, to be established near Pacp Sickenes Island, as 
the commis Jacob planck or whoever shall occupy his place will 
show you more definitely. And in order that you may not be in 
want of servants or animals, I have engaged adriaen cornelysen van 
barsingcrhoom, who is a prudent young man and knows all about 
farming, to be your foreman for the space of three years ; after 
the said three years I have promised in case of good behavior to 
make him farmer for himself. Now, with the advice of my officer 
and commis you might take also one of the boys who go over 
herewith. As to the horses for the farm, I have assigned to you 
four gray mares which are going across in this ship, which I hope 
the Lord will preserve, in order that for the sake of our relation- 
ship you may bave four horses of nearly one color ; and as for 
your house and other necessaries, you will have to address yourself 
to the aforesaid commis that he assist you according to circum- 
stances in getting under cover with your people and horses, while 
provisionally you will also try with the consent [of the farmers] 
to obtain a cow or two from some farm or other, so as to get started. 

I have no doubt, now that I have made you farmer so long be- 
fore your appointed time, that you will deserve the favor by doing 



•» V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io2b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 409 

right, by advising me of everything in writing and also by using 
and treating properly this young man Adriaen cornelysen, who is 
to be your foreman, for the reason that his years far exceed yours. 
Regarding the fur trade and the delivery of grain you must regu- 
late yourself according to the contracts and common justice and 
not trespass as I understand others have done. Trusting that you 
will do this, I commend you to the gracious protection of God. 
Do not forget as a graceful requital to advise me of everything 
that happens in my colony. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz 1 

May io, 1638 

Albart andriescn, tobacco planter 

This day, io May 1638 

albart corncliscn: 2 This -will serve to advise you that I duly re- 
ceived your letter in which you wrote that the tobacco looked fine, 
but I received no news on the arrival of marten gcertscn, although 
by that time it ought already to have been prepared, much less did 
I receive any sample thereof, for which I long very much, as well 
as for full advice of all the particulars as to how it has turned out. 

I have sent some servants and some boys before this and am send- 
ing some now, but I must have but one head in the colony to make 
the distribution of the people and the servants, so you must address 
yourself to him who at the time is my commis there, to whom I 
must send general directions about everything and not particular 
directions to each one. I hear that you have not only parted with 
pittcr Coornclisscn, but have also had a dispute with planck and his 
son, the cause of which I should like to know ; for I must in every 
way uphold my officers whom you, I take it, must obey, as is cus- 
tomary in all places of justice, and if you meet with any harm you 
have yourself to blame for it. Tf you behave well, I will certainly 
stand by you and cause you to be provided with everything, but 
bad behavior I will not suffer. It also seems to me from what not 
a few but many have said that you are very unmerciful to your 
children and very cruel to your wife; this you must avoid and in 
all things have the fear of the Lord before your eyes and not follow 
so much your own inclinations. I understand also that not only 
have you traded beaver furs with dirrick cortssen contrary to your 



1 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.103. 
J So in Letter Book. 



4IO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

contract but also defrauded and cheated him and for seven pieces 
of duffel have given him but the value of 25 merchantable beavers. 
Either you have cheated him and me or else he has cheated me very 
badly. Let me know what the truth of the matter is ; meanwhile, 
do not pay anything to dircck corsscn or to any one in his name, 
as he has been but our servant, but write me all the particulars 
that I may see whether you are belied or whether what is said is 
true. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 3 

May io, 1638 

Arent van Coorlcr, assistant 

This day, 10 May 

Honorable, discreet cousin arent van coorlcr: I hope that by 
this time, with God's help you have arrived in my colony and duly 
delivered there the goods which you took with you and that accord- 
ing to my wish you have already begun noting everything down 
exactly and writing me of it, that I may know how things stand 
there, especially as to the increase of the animals, horses, cows, 
etc. ; also, that you kept a correct account of all the goods which 
I sent heretofore and now send herewith, and where they may be 
sold with profit. In all things, however, you will have to submit 
yourself to your coin 111 is with whom you serve so that he will not 
have to complain of you ; but aside from that you may write me of 
every detail and if you take good care of your affairs and write 
and advise me at length I will, when the opportunity offers itself 
and in proportion to your capacity, also take care of your promotion 
and advancement, but one has to be servant before one can be 
master. Write me also definitely about the tobacco planting, how 
it has succeeded there, and of the farms and of the saw and grist- 
mills and what further there may be of interest, and do not let any 
opportunity for writing me go by as we long very much for news 
here. Your father is still well and your brother is at present 
staying at my house; both send many greetings, etc. 



3 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io3b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS zJ.II 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 4 

May io, 1638 
Jacob Albersen planck 

The 10th of May 1638 
Yours sent by my small boat called Renselaers wyck as well as 
(he other sent by marten gerretsen, I have duly received. All I 
ask for is to have but half as much v/riting from you as you 
have from me; this is certainly reasonable, for if everything does 
not come to your mind, all you have to do is to place my letters 
and papers before you, examine everything and do as I do, advis- 
ing me of each matter separately. I send you the names of the 
people whom I send over, each one by itself, and you write but in 
general that there have arrived 24 persons besides the women. 
That is not enough ; it is important to me to know who has arrived 
and who has not, as I thought that I had many more people, and in 
order that in the future you may make more careful note of every- 
thing I have sent my cousin Arcnt van coder, by dc Calmer Slutcl, 
to be your assistant, as he can serve and assist you in noting down 
everything. I send enclosed a list of the goods sent by the said 
slutel, as also copies of the letters. You must do this too, that is, 
send me each time a copy to serve if the original letter should not 
come. I hope that the people whom I sent have arrived where 
you are and have been distributed either among the farmers or 
among the tobacco planters. I write to albart andrisen that he 
must have more respect for my officers and commiscn or that he 
will rue it. Contrary to his promise, he has traded beavers with 
dircck Coortse and moreover according to the statement of direck 
Coortscn has given but the value of 25 merchantable beavers for 
7 pieces of duffel, so that he must have cheated dircck Coortse as 
well as our commis or dirrech Coortssen must have cheated his 
employers. Therefore, notify albart and all others living in the 
colony not to engage in such detrimental fur trade, conformable 
to their respective agreements, and to make [no] general payments 
to direck Coortse or his agent as he has treated us very badly : 
for I do not care to suffer in my colony those who have their eye 
mainly on the fur trade. That some trifles should be overlooked 
is a different matter, but those who make purely a business of it, 
I do not care to have. He who is my officer and commis knows 



* V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.104. 



412 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

how far my freedoms go, but it is not the business of others. 
These people not only cheat their patroon and master but also 
defraud the West India Company of the duties, and I am firmly 
resolved not knowingly and intentionally to injure the West India 
Company in their rights in the least, as my principal object is 
directed toward farming and things connected therewith. Enclosed 
I send you in God's name the invoice of all the goods which I am 
now sending over for the account of the colony, as well as a record 
of the payments made here to the people, with which together with 
the board during the passage you must not neglect to debit those 
who have to pay it. I send herewith 18 mares, mostly two years 
old, all of which except two are covered. Three of these belong 
to Jacob volpersen, according to the memorandum which he has 
thereof. The other 15 are for the colony, to be distributed as 
follows, namely: 

Four gray mares for marrits Jansen van brockhuysen, my cousin, 
who is to be made head farmer, and adriaen cornelisen van bar- 
singerzvout,** who goes over herewith also, and is to be his foreman 
for the period of three years according to his contract. This farm 
will have its plowed land beyond paep Sickences Island, across the 
Rul opposite Symon walichss and Cornells maessen. 5 

From the seven remaining horses, Tunes Jansc, also called 
dirccksc van rcchten? may choose four horses to establish there- 
with a farm south of the farm of manris Jansen, where there is 
room enough. 

As to the three remaining horses, if with God's help they arrive, 
you will distribute them where they are needed and if possible 
establish a fourth farm therewith. 

The houses and stables of these farms you will push forward 
as much as possible. I hope, now that does Jansen van naerden 
must have arrived there, that better arrangements will be made 
for the building of houses so that the farmers may be better ac- 
commodated. And as these new farms have no cows, you will see 
that the others give each of them some of the young calves to 
make shift for a while, 7 or you will find out whether there are any 



J " In other places referred tn as Adriaen Corneliss van Barsingerhorn and in the 
account books among the Rensselaerswyck Mss also as Adriaen Corneliss Berghoorn. 
Barsingerhorn is a village in the province of North Holland, about 12 miles northeast 
of Alkmaar. 

5 deese bouwerije sal syn bouwlant hebben buyten paep Sickenees eylant ouer de R><! 
tegen oner Symon walichss en Cornells maessen. 

6 Should he ion vechten. 

7 om haer by provisic wat te Connen bchclpen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 413 

to be bought at the mauhatans or to be traded for the remaining 
horses, always remembering that in my opinion one of these mares 
is worth considerably more than two cows. 

You must not fail to send me all accounts in perfect order in- 
cluding your own account. You have not done this very carefully 
as I understand that you have a goodly quantity of beavers and 
have sent but 200 of them by my ship. As you wrote me long ago 
that you had then already 150 skins and the goods of my small 
vessel have been added since, I had expected at least 500, on which 
I insured 300 skins and now but 200 appear, of which I was to 
give one half to your wife without having the account thereof. 1 
have therefore given her provisionally f/oo as I had to pay f200 
duty to the Company because you did not send any paper showing 
that it had been paid. She also had to bear one half of the in- 
surance, as you had not written me that you had a share therein ; 
therefore, you must henceforth send me better and fuller advice, 
which you can do better now that you have as assistant arent van 
Corler, who is pretty good with the pen. In selling the merchan- 
dise, you must not only take into account the first purchase price, 
but all sorts of expenses of ship, boat and lighter freight, also the 
boxes and hauling, etc., for which you must raise the price at least 
one stiver, for example, what cost 20 stivers you must count as 
having cost 21 stivers. Herewith goes again a goodly quantity 
of iron and smith's coal, so that the smith will be well provided. 
I should have liked to have had a helper for the smith and wheel- 
wright but on account of the mortality here I have not been able 
to secure any. It is possible that the Company will throw open 
the beaver trade to some extent; if they should do that, I do not 
intend nor shall I allow any but those of the Company, to whom 
I can not forbid it, to trade furs in my colony; to private indi- 
viduals I do not wish to permit it. With my own people some 
discretion will have to be used, provided that they deliver the skins 
to you at a reasonable price for my account, so that they may have 
some profit and I also and the Company receive its duty. They 
must do likewise with the grain and other products. 

Piter Comelisen writes me that he will put up a grist-mill and 
a brewery; that is all right as far as the building is concerned, 
but respecting milling and beer brewing I intend to make some 
further regulation at the first opportunity, as one man must not 
have too much. This much I would allow to p r . Corneles, now hi< 
son in law Symon Jansen henypot comes over too, that with your 



414 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

advice as the keeper of my place and rights, since I can not be 
present in person, he may build a small yacht to send his planks 
and boards where they may be sold to best advantage and also to 
trade down the river or elsewhere the grain and wheat that is to 
spare in the colony ; all this if there is any profit for me connected 
with it, otherwise it serves but to do damage. To this end I send 
over pitch and tar, also materials and tools to make sails, but you 
must take care of my rights that I may be defrauded by no one. 
When arent van corler has not too much to do, let him occupy 
himself in shooting game and catching fish so as to reduce some- 
what the expense of his board; have him also look after things 
here and there and send him all over the colony to arrange things, 
to note down the grain and animals and especially to look after 
the planting of vines. Jeronimus la Croix believes that above 
broedcr Cornells on the west side of the maquars Kil there are 
suitable hills, which slope to the south and are treeless, that would 
be desirable for the raising of apples, pears, cherries and similar 
fruits. This should be looked after but especially the planting of 
tobacco, whether that will succeed. I am not well satisfied that 
albeert has not sent me a sample of his tobacco by marten Gerritscn 
nor reported how many pounds he expected to have. The said 
albert has a servant, Johan lebattij, who is a carpenter. You can, 
by paying him, employ him also on the building of the houses, so 
that the farms, from which in time the greatest profit is to be ex- 
pected, may be gotten ready. In your last letter, you write nothing 
of your plan, mentioned in an earlier letter, of putting up a building 
for a church, the loft of which could if needed be used for the 
storing of grain. Whether this has been contracted for or not, I 
urge you to promote godliness in every way and to give me some 
further idea of the means of supporting a minister. 

You write me that these may amount to f300 a year ; something 
must be added to that, for no one will care to go there for as much 
again as that amount. However, let me see the list of those who 
would pay the aforesaid f300, and now that more people are 
coming the amount will increase. Lay this matter before the 
schepens some day and have them discuss the means and write 
to me about it. Do not forget to send me at the earliest oppor- 
tunity all the accounts, especially that of the Company and what 
they owe me, as I have furnished them things for years and never 
received anything. Send me also the account of the returns of my 
merchandise, sent at various times by my small boat as well as bv 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 415 

aren't van corler, and also in due course, that of the goods which 
go herewith. May the Lord graciously watch over them and allow 
goods, people and animals to arrive at your place without accident. 
I should also like to have the instrument of purchase of paep 
Sickiels Island. Henceforth it will not be necessary for the grant- 
ors to appear before the director and council of New Netherland, 
but it will be sufficient that they appear before the officer and 
council of the colony of Rensselaer swyck to make the transfer, 
making the same declaration as is put in the former deeds. Please 
to greet bastiacn Jansc Croll, conwiis at Fort Orange, heartily 
from me. I request you to live with him and the Company in all 
friendship and as good neighbors and that you assist each other 
on all occasions with words and deeds and with life and limb 
against all those who would injure the servants or subjects of my 
colony, as the Company on its side has promised to do by the 25th 
article of the Freedoms of New Netherland. 

1 have noticed that the farmers and others without my knowl- 
edge and consent have traded with derreck coortsen and the crew 
of my boat; they must avoid this or I shall punish it with con- 
fiscation. If they have any skins, let them deliver them to you 
for my account, so that I may have something too for my heavy 
expenses, as I have now for seven or eight years received little 
or nothing but always paid out large sums. Take care that the 
servants and others who receive wages are paid there, so that 
I am not bothered about that here. Let the farmers pay the wages 
of their servants in full and debit me for one half of the amount 
which I will pay them and let them not charge me with the full 
wages of the servants so that I must recover one half from the 
masters. In this way I am rid of that for a while and they musr 
find means to satisfy their servants. The councilors whom you 
have chosen are approved by me, but in order that the charges 
do not become too great at least two schepens must retire each 
year and the vacancies be filled by others from among the ablest, 
as is done here in this country. You must see to it that the 
aforesaid schepens hold session at least once a month or if need 
be every week to consider all things touching the administration 
of the colony and to settle all questions and disputes. Each time 
the schepens meet, a prayer must be offered up by the most suitable 
person in order that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon you 
and grant you wisdom and understanding; the fear of the Lord 
and justice I commend to you most highly and before all things. 



416 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

The account of Seegen Jansen must not be put off any longer 
and do not forget to send us a sample of a few muddes of the best 
wheat and rye, which should have been done already. 

With regard to the indemnity of the . . . 8 discretion should be 
used, without being too severe you should by constant admonition 
cause them to entertain a lively sense of their duty and what they 
Owe the colony on account of the damage which they have done. I 
see that Gerret de reux wants to come over some time to make new 
terms. He may then at the same time seek himself a wife. The 
terms must be such that I shall get some return from my land and 
finally enjoy the fruits of the great expenses which I have had. 
With God's help it will no doubt improve each year if I do not 
spare money and pains. Do not neglect to read over this letter 
and my previous letters once in a while to refresh your memory. 

If Cornells melyn, supercargo of the ship het zvdpen van nor- 
wcg n , who must have fiooo for the passage of our people and 
the freight of goods and 15 horses, should load some grain at the 
manhatans, at the current price there, you will replace the same 
and send receipt therefor. 

If you should happen to be at the manhatans and have any 
skins for the colony, you might send by this ship some 100 or 
200 beavers, provided you enter them with the director and take 
a receipt for them, as well as a bill of lading from the supercargo. 

And as direck Coortsen has thus far given me no detailed ac- 
count of the board of my people who went over in my ship, do not 
forget to send me the account thereof at once and to let me know 
what the amount is. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 9 

May 12, 1638 

Jacob Albcrtsen planck, officer and com in is in the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck 

12 May 1638 
Yesterday afternoon all the papers and documents were sent to 
you and now it is discovered that dirck corss., who has deceived 
the inhabitants of my colony in every way and incited and induced 
them to private trading, has declared today that the following- 
persons are guilty and have traded with him, to wit : 



8 Word omitted in Letter Book. Sie p. 243, 267, 270. 
• V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io6b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 417 

Pieter Cornelisz van munnikendam, he alleges owes him 155 
£155:16:8 guilders, 16 stivers and 8 pence, but he does not say for 
what. You will therefore ask the said pieter Cornelisz what this 
debt is for, whether for goods which he has received from him 
or for passage money and board of his men. Let him be frank 
about it, I shall not take it ill of him this time, even if it is different 
from what I think, provided he pay you the said amount to send 
to me for the account of the person whom it may concern. Sijmon, 
jansz. henypot has asked me whether he should pay the said sum 
to dirck corss, but I have forbidden him to do so as I did not 
know what this debt arose from, whether from goods delivered 
or from passage money of his men. Said henypot now goes over 
again; he has told me about some small casks of brandy but, from 
what I hear, it seems that he takes with him several pieces of 
duffel among his beet sacks or other baggage. He should not do 
this without telling me about it. Speak to him about it in a dis- 
creet way, for I do not propose to have people cheat me in this 
underhand fashion and would rather that such traders stayed 
away from there, as these people not only deprive me of my 
returns from my colony but in addition defraud the West India 
Company of its duties, which must be paid first and before every- 
thing else. After that, I must . . . . 10 such expenses not 
profit some one else and I have the dishonor. 

{179:17:0 Jan jansz van Ilpendam, under date of August 5, 1637, 
at the inanJiatans. This man is in the service of the Company. 
If he pays you, I have nothing to say about him. 
£359:0:0 Jacobus van corlacr, under date of August 7, 1637. As 
he is a relative of mine, I shall not accuse him if he pays you. 
f 4 io:o:o Hermanns Minardi abogardy, 11 July 22, 1637, at Fort 
Orange. 

43 % beavers Lubbert Gysbcrtsc, a note of hand for 43^ beavers, 
15 pa ' d dated May 26, 1637, on which 15 beavers have been 

28 % beavers " paid. If this is our wheelwright, you will tell him 
to pay you and to be careful not to do it again. The beavers you 
will send to me, like those which follow, but you will enter them 
with the director of the Company so that the duty may be paid 
here. 



10 At this point a line is apparently omitted in the Letter Book. 

11 Surgeon Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert, commis at Fort Orange, who signs 
his name in the N.Y. Col Mss, Harmannus:A:Booghardij. 

27 



41 8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Brocr Cornells, per balance of account of 20 May 
29 beavers on which 5^2 beavers have been paid. 
60 yards Albert adrvesen, 60 yards of seawan. Let him also 

of seawan . . , . . . . ... 

pay this to you and beware of doing anything like 
it again without my knowledge and consent. 

1221:8 Willem adriaenss. van els scneur, cooper, account against 
the lords directors of Groningen signed by Tyaert brougers, 11 * 
supercargo. Whether this sum is paid I do not know. You must 
find out how this is. There was a power of attorney with it. At 
all events I have received nothing of it. Let this willem adriaensz 
pay you and in case it should be paid to him here, he will be 
fisgiio st notified. Cort pietersz. from the lords directors of 
Groningen with a power of attorney. Hereof I have received 
nothing. 

These aforesaid matters you will quietly investigate one after 
the other and advise me what answer and satisfaction each person 
gives you. If they refer to their note of hand, you will in my 
name reply that I shall indemnify them for all future calls upon 
them, and in case of refusal you will tell those who are in my 
colony that I shall know how and where to recover the money, 
but if they appear willing, I shall smooth things over so that this 
time they need expect no trouble. In the future they must carry 
on such dealings as they have had with dick Corsz or may have 
with others, with my knowledge or at least with yours or that of 
the person who at the time shall be commis of my colony, in order 
that I may have my share and the Company its trade. I could 
not help sending this to you ; and in order that you may be com- 
pensated for your trouble, make every one pay you a small fine 
of one stiver in the guilder or one skin in twenty; wherewith I 
commend you to God. Vale. 

12 Herewith I send also eight small books 
^■-f* called de Practijcke der Godtsalichcyt, 13 very 

N°. ^, 16 useful for the families. Cost 18 st a piece, 

^^(f amounting to lj\\. 



118 This should be Tyaert brongcrs. See p. 289. 

" Note in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

18 The Practice of Godliness. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 419 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells Melyn 14 

May 12, 1638 

Cornells melyn, supercargo of the ship hct wapen van noorweegen 
Honor be to God; in Amsterdam 12 May 1638 

Monsieur Melijn: Enclosed is a letter to be delivered to Jacob 
plane, as I had forgotten to write him something. Advise me at 
your convenience of the receipt of this letter as it is of great im- 
portance. Further, do your best to sail in the name of the Lord as 
soon as possible, to deliver our people, goods and horses as safely 
as possible and to treat them well. Keeping the fear of the Lord 
before your eyes, He will undoubtedly through His divine grace 
grant you a happy and speedy voyage, wherewith, commending 
you to His faithful protection, I remain, with hearty greetings — 
de zvilde sailed on this boat and although I have not seen him — 15 

Herewith also a package of eight very useful books, No. X, 
also to be handed to Jacob planck with the aforesaid letter. Enter 
them also at the end of your bill of lading so as not to forget 
them and keep them in your chest or somewhere else where they 
do not get wet. It would not be bad either to read them on the 
ship; you might take them all out and then wrap them up again 
when you get on land. 

Petition of the officers and crew of het Wapen van Noorwegen 
to lighten the ship 10 

U638] 

Request to Cornells Melijn and Jackop tvolfcrscn 

We, the underwritten, officers and sailors who have hired our- 
selves out to sail with the ship named hct wapen van noonucgen on 
the voyage to Virginia or New Netherland and tecra noua and 
who have come here to proceed on our voyage with the first favor- 
able wind which God may grant, find on the ship so much obstruc- 
tion that we deem it not advisable to gfo to sea in a vessel which is 



14 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.io;b, 

15 The Dutch of this incomplete sentence which seems to have no connection with th" 
letter reads as follows: de wilde is los geracckt p des-a cage ende hoe wel ick hem niet 
gesien hebben. The meaning is uncertain; de wilde may be a personal name, but may 
also be translated " the savage;" cage probably stands for kaag, a one-masted boat for 
inland navigation. 

" V. R. B. Mss, 14. 



420 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

so encumbered with boxes, trunks and forage for the horses, that 
it is impossible to use or move a single piece, yes, we do not know 
where to turn to go to belay a sheet or bowline ; on the other hand 
it is impossible for the ship to sail or float on account of the en- 
cumbrance and heavy weight, as we found out between Amsterdam 
and the Texel. We are therefore resolved rather to leave the 
vessel than to go to sea with such a ship, for no matter who or 
what persons come aboard they are astonished to find so encum- 
bered a ship, and, as moreover the pilot and the bargemaster express 
the same opinion, we now kindly request that you will do your best 
and relieve us from such heavy burden and lighten the vessel so 
that we may cross the ocean in the usual way ; and in order to 
accomplish such lightening at least six horses must be taken out 
and our boxes, chests, casks and other goods put in their place : 
and if you do not please to lighten the vessel, we will not consent 
to go to sea in the ship under any consideration, but first it must 
be lightened ; and if you take six horses out, we will not do as our 
carpenter and another man have done but, with God's help, will 
faithfully accomplish the voyage. 

[signed] skipper IVycUcm ras 

mate Pauivcls mattyscus 
second mate Jan clacsscn 
Cornells bisschop, boatswain's mate 
17 > oyer licndcrickscn, constable 
17 JuirJan Janscn 
17 frans viarscn, cook 
17 f rans simmensen 
Reijer Janscn, pilot 
Sccrck Jones, bargemaster 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Joost van Sandwech 1S 

May or June 1638 

Joost van Sandtwegh, at Leyden 

Mons r Sen 1 til wegh: I have received your letter with the power 
of attorney. 1811 It will be necessary for one or both o\ you 18b to 



17 Names in same handwriting as the document. 

18 V. R. B. MsSj Loiter Booh, f.\ojh. The carelessness with which this letter 1ms been 
entered in the Letter Book makes it impossible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion 
as to tlic meaning of certain passages or to vouch for the accuracy of the translation. 

""> See letter to van Sandwech, June _•;. 1637, p. 348. 

lsb Van Sandwech and Tortarolis? See letters to Cerrard dc Forest, Nov. 28, and 
Dec. 18, 1636, p. 344. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 421 

come here to make a preliminary settlement as I do not like to 
keep any one waiting. I should be pleased if you could come on 
Friday, as I intend to go away from home next week; otherwise 
it would have to be after Pinkster. I have shown the power of 
attorney to my confraters; [they] think it all right and will not 
keep [us] waiting if it is possible. 

Today dirck Corse demanded [payment] and presented the note 
of hand if we would pay him at once [his wages?] and the 
amount of the barrels, etc., to which I have replied briefly, but 
I expect that [the order?] has been drawn. 

We must think of some means whereby we can settle our ac- 
counts. Please [obtain consent?] to having psople deal with us. 
We will [advise?] them [your associates?] of everything that I 
offered to dirck corse in the name of the shipowners. He there- 
upon decided to think the matter over but instead of that . . . 19 
the aforesaid protest which speaks of the directors, most of whom 
are out of the Netherlands. It is now too late to settle this matter, 
especially as we have not yet the note of hand. However, I wrote 
today at length about it to those who are out of the country and 
made a provisional arrangement which I shall communicate to you. 
Commending you to God. 

Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 20 

August 14, 1638 
Sir: 

While sailing to the Bay to dispatch the ship den Haringh, 
wc encountered your ship 't wapen van noorwegen and received 
your honor's letter of the 7th of May, to which I reply but briefly 
owing to the circumstances of the moment. The bearer hereof is 
Mr Cor net is melyn who goes to terra neuf or Canada to trade for 
fish or peltries ; the Lord grant him a profitable and safe journey. 

Your honor's goods have been unloaded, except some things 
which they kept in the ship or which were not sent with it, in 
regard to which Jacob wolpertsen, who has the invoice, writes to 
your honor. 

I have had a shallop loaded and it has gone up the river with the 
people ; the horses are still here in charge of a man and a boy ; all 
the bricks, coal and iron are also here yet but will be sent by the 



19 At this point a few words seem to have been omitted in the Letter Book. 

-" /'. R. P: Mss, 15. 



422 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

next shallop. I am troubled about how to get the horses up the 
river, as we have no vessel in which they can be sent, the bark going 
to the West Indies. 

The yacht s*- merten has gone to the south and does not 
come here till autumn. There are no other vessels by which horses 
can be sent. It is not possible to transport them in the scow, so 
that I shall send them up in an open lighter, which however 
will hardly hold two and oblige us to make many trips, which at 
the moment is very inconvenient, the more so as we have but few 
people and I desire to discharge some in order to lessen the Com- 
pany's burden. Your honor will therefore in the future need a 
vessel or two, especially if the grain is sent to the English, for we 
shall as a rule be able to help ourselves. f2/0 a last is too much. 
It will not bring nearly as much among the English, who have 
also but little cash to pay for the goods on which a duty of two or 
three per cent must be paid, but this will show itself when the trial 
is made. As the population increases here, the price will likely 
for some time remain the same. 

Some time ago I sent a shallop up the river expressly with the 
goods that came with minuyt; now another has gone expressly for 
you; and the lighter will have to do likewise, as we have no busi- 
ness whatever up above. I shall make a note of the trips and of 
the circumstances (your officers in the colony ought to do the same) 
so that later on I can show the directors what I have done with 
their things and servants. 

I thank your honor heartily for your honor's offer of the horses 
and goods; I do not think that wc shall keep any of them, unless 
it were three or four bars of iron. I shall exert myself to the ut 
most to assist your people in every way I can with a clear con- 
science, your honor need have no doubt respecting this ; I only 
wish that your colony might flourish and others become also de- 
sirous of engaging in similar undertakings. If the Company will 
only not get discouraged on account of the continual heavy ex- 
penses, abandon everything an 1 back up the English; for certainly 
)(>u would be caught in a trap and the whole colony not be worth a 
stiver if the English occupy this river, as some say. I am very 
anxious to know what the directors will resolve to do. If they con- 
tinue to do as they have done thus far. I should prefer to be away 
from here and it would be better for them to order us home. 

I have given Cornells mclyu, charged to your account,, fill 13 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 423 

on his bill of freight ; 20a I shall subtract this when the account for 
the grain received shall be liquidated. 

As to your honor's statement that the payment for the grain 
was to be made in beavers, I shall take good care not to do so 
even if Mr van twiller had so decided. I can in no zuise come to 
this resolution, as in this manner the wheat, which is black and 
small anyway and produces but little, would cost us nearly /500 a 
last and the Company zvhich is heavily burdened be almost robbed 
of her beavers, of which she has few enoughe. 21 I also find on the 
books here that your honor has since the beginning been indebted 
to the Company for so much money, goods and also horses and 
cattle that I shall do nothing in this matter without express orders 
from the directors. As I said above, we shall need little or no 
grain. 

Our minister has gone up the river with the shallop to perform 
his duties there. 

Wherewith concluding, I commend your honor, after friendly 
salutations, to the protection of the Most High; may He grant 
your honor whatever tends to eternal and temporal well being. 
Amen. 

Honorable, wise, prudent and very discreet sir 

Your honor's always willing servant 

[signed] Will em kieft 
In Fort Amsterdam on the Manhattens 
this clay 14 August 1638. 
[Addressed] Honorable, wise, prudent and very discreet sir 
Mr. killiacn Van Renzelaer 
at 

Amsterdam 
[Endorsed] Man hatas 

14 [seal] August 
1638 Will em Kieft 

These three letters answered 
the 1 2th of May 1639 at Amsterdam. 



200 A copy of this bill of freight is in N. Y. Col. Mss. 1:34-35- It mentions the 
following passengers for the patroon: michiel J onsen, his wife and 2 men: tonis dncksz, 
his wife, 1 child and 2 men; Jan Michielss and his small son; ariaen corneliss van 
bortingerhoorn. 

21 Underlined in original. 



424 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem 22 

September 14, 1638 

J r . Gerrit van Arnhem, at the Hague 

Amsterdam, this 14th of September 1638 

I take the liberty to address myself to your honor in this matter, 
as no one is better acquainted with it and the more so as your 
honor has been appointed by their High Mightinesses the States 
General as one of the committee 23 [to consider] the difference be- 
tween the West India Company on the one side and the patroons 
of New Netherland on the other side, which matter so far as I am 
concerned is still pending; if one were to judge from results, a 
great difference would be found between the condition of my 
colony, which I have thus far managed and erected at the expense 
of myself and my confraters without charge and with profit to the 
Company, and the condition of other colonies which the Company 
has bought at considerable cost and, though at great yearly expense, 
has brought to a state of ruin and decline, yes, in the South River, 
reduced to almost nothing. 

My intention in this matter is not to dispute with the Company, 
as there is no occasion for it at present, but in all humility to re- 
quest your honor to maintain my dear and precious rights (not 
considered in haste or by a few persons only, but at different times 
in all the respective Chambers after communication with the chief 
participants of each; adopted in various sessions of the XIX, with 
the knowledge of the deputies of their High Mightinesses and also 
approved by letters written to the patroons by their High Mighti- 
nesses themselves) of which I send you enclosed a printed copy. 
It is true that in the new project by the Chamber of Amsterdam 
it is stated " that henceforth no one &c " ; but this is drawn in so 
brief a form that no mention is made of all the previous freedoms 
which have lasted nine years, about which so many reports have 
been made in the Assembly of the XIX and since which so many 
things have happened, notice having been given by many different 
people regarding colonies other than my own, lands and animals 
bought for them by private individuals, and people and farm imple- 
ments sent there, all of which, in my opinion and subject to correc- 



22 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.108. 

■* See resolutions of the States General, Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, 1638, Doc. rel. to Col. 
Hist. N. Y. 1:114-15; also statements by N.de Roever, p. 80 of this work. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 425 

tion, neither can nor ought to be passed • by in silence without 
prejudice to those interested. I request therefore humbly and 
kindly that inasmuch as the Chamber of Amsterdam has taken such 
painstaking care even of the disputable freedoms offered to the 
freetraders to and in Brazil, that my freedoms and those of all 
others interested in this matter may not be allowed to suffer through 
such silence, but that their High Mightinesses according to the 
fifth article of the enclosed Freedoms may please to take care that 
the first occupants be not prejudiced in the rights they have ob- 
tained and that these may be expressly stipulated in the new free- 
doms which are now about to be granted. It seems also very 
strange to me that under the present alteration no patroons or 
colonies are admitted and that the fur trade is thrown open to 
those not interested in New Netherland equally with those who have 
great interests at stake there, to those who do not live there with 
those who do live there, and to those who are not participants with 
those who are participants — for up to the present violent and 
sharp debates have occurred about the said trade, directed even 
against those who control more land there than the Company 
itself. As I understand it, their High Mightinesses are not over 
much pleased with the draft of the Chamber of Amsterdam but, 
as I am out of the board of directors, I* have to look out only for 
the interests of myself and my associates, which is no other than the 
aforementioned clause that the first occupants are not to be pre- 
judiced in the rights which they have obtained. This being in- 
cluded in the Freedoms, I commend the matter at issue to their 
High Mightinesses and to all those who have any voice in it, though 
I am surprised that time can bring about such changes that of 31 
well considered articles not one can stay as it is and that the very 
foundations are turned upside down. It is true, I know, that your 
honor's advice in this matter is also sought by the Amsterdam 
Chamber, but as my request does not interfere with theirs and as 
I seek only to keep what I have, I can not do less for myself and 
my associates than to watch that our rights be preserved, in which 
I urgently pray your honor to lend me the helping hand. If there 
is anything in which according to my small powers I can be of 
service to your honor or do you a kindness, you have on all oc- 
casions but to command me. Excusing myself that I take the 
liberty — 



426 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Ordinance of Director and Council of New Netherland, pro- 
hibiting the sale of firearms to Indians and requiring vessels 
sailing to or from Fort Orange, the South River or Fort 
Hope, to obtain a permit 24 

March 31, 1639 
Copy 

Whereas the director general and council of New Netherland 
have observed that many persons, both servants of the Company 
and inhabitants, contrary to the orders and commands of the High 
and Mighty Lords the States General and the Chartered West India 
Company, have presumed to sell to the Indians in these parts, 
muskets, powder and lead, which has already caused much evil 
and will hereafter result in but greater evil if no means be 
adopted by us here to prevent the same ; therefore every inhabi- 
tant of New Netherland, be his state, quality or condition what it 
may, is most expressly forbidden to sell any muskets, powder or 
lead to the Indians, on pain of being punished by death, and if any 
one shall inform against any person who shall violate this law, he 
shall receive a reward of 50 guilders. Furthermore, all persons 
are hereby notified that no one shall undertake to sail with any 
sloop or other vessel to Fort Orange, the South River or Fort Hope, 
without a permit from the honorable director and, on coming thence, 
bringing with him a pass from the commis of the Company residing 
at the respective place aforesaid ; and in case it be found that any 
one has been at the place above named without the aforesaid permit, 
such vessel and the goods laden therein shall be confiscated to the 
benefit of the Company and, in addition, such fine imposed as ac- 
cording to the merits of the case shall be deemed proper. And all 
our dear and faithful commisen who have authority at the places 
where these presents are sent are ordered and commanded to affix 
the same at the usual place, so that their contents may be known to 
every one and each be on his guard against damage. Thus done 
and published in Fort Amsterdam, this 31st of March 1639. Un- 
derneath was written : Agrees with the Resolution Book of the 
honorable the former director general and council of New Nether- 
land, Cor: Van tienhouen, secretary. 



24 V. R. B. Mss 16. Also in Dutch in N. Y. Col. Mss., 4:36-37. Translation revised 
from those in American Historical Magazine, 1836, 1:36-37, and Laws and Ordinances 
of New Netherland, p. 18—19. 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 427 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 25 

April 8, 1639 

Tousain Mussaert, at Leyden 

1639, 8 April 
This in haste on account of lack of time will serve to inform you 
that I have received yours concerning Jeronimus La Crois. By 
my order, he has sent for 50 blankets, dyed white and green, but 
not fixed, at f 3 115 a piece, which you will please order and send 
up in haste. The amount to be furnished for the colony has been 
fixed at f.4000 for goods, fiooo for my advances and ficoo for 
payment to brant peelen according to his enclosed letter (which 
you will please return to me). During the eight years that he 
has been in that country, his accounts have never been settled and 
he has received but little money. The subscription for each 1/10 
share will therefore be fixed at 600 guilders, which you will please 
communicate to Mr dclaat and through him to Mr blommaert, who 
is at the Hague, in order that I may receive the said money at the 
first opportunity, as I have already advanced money again. I hope 
that we shall not have to make any further subscriptions after this 
and that the colony will be able to take care of itself. As to the 
f25oo which, it is conjectured, are still due to gerrit de reus, we 
must pay that upon advice as to his being living or dead. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 2G 

May 12, 1639 

Willem Kieft, director in New Netherland 

The 1 2th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 
I find myself with your very agreeable letters of the 25th of 
April, the 31st of July, and the 14th of August of last year, to 
which a brief answer follows. In the first place, I thank your 
honor most earnestly for your promptness in dispatching my goods 
and men to the colony, especially for the ingenious way of sending 
up my horses in the lighter, as upon the report of my nephew van 
Twiller I was much worried how it could be done, it having never 
occurred to me that in all these years no better accommodation 
should have been provided. In the future I must regulate myself 



28 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.ioSb. 
28 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.109. 



428 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

accordingly ; and I now hope that, though the lighter must have 
proved expensive, my horses which have cost me so much arrived 
in the colony before winter. How the present horses, which are 
hound for the Manhatans only, will fare on their way remains to 
be seen and in the future, in sending any from here, I must regulate 
myself according to that also. However, I do not intend to send 
any more horses for the present, but should like to avail myself 
of any opportunity of obtaining- some cows for my colony, as last 
season I lost n cows in one year. If there is any chance of buying 
a supply of young cows and if the price is not excessive, I shall be 
much pleased, even if they are only heifers. It might easily be that 
some of those that are sent over now could be obtained towards 
winter on account of lack of hay, which can be had at a reasonable 
price less well at the manhatans than in the colony; however, as 
I have at present no one at the Manhatans, I should not dare com- 
mission your honor herewith, especially as I understand from your 
honor's letter that five farms are unoccupied and the cattle must 
be needed there. • I judge, however, that the land at the manhatans 
must be bad, as the people with their cattle are going to other places 
where they expect to find better land, and that they can do without 
these. 1 may wait till next year, when I hope that there will be 
an opportunity on the return of my nephew van Twiller, who is so 
taken with the country that it will be hard for him to stay away. 
Kindly do me the favor, however, to buy for me at the current price 
six or eight heifers to be sent up the river. I shall be very much 
obliged for this and other kindnesses which I have received from 
your honor and I hope that in time there will be opportunity to 
repay them. 

There are many people in this country, among them some of 
large means, who would like to invest their capital in New Nether- 
land if the Company would admit other colonies, in refusing which 
it makes a great mistake in my opinion, for instead of many poor 
beggars whom it now gets, 117 it would find people of means who 
with their money could send all sorts of men and the patroons who 
stayed here would secure the Company against loss and offense in 
that country. Your honor will sufficiently understand what dif- 
ference there is between commanding a loose mass of people and 
ruling, through representatives from different orders of society, 
according to the custom in this country, a republic composed of 
different members each of which in the first instance prevents as far 



-"•ni plaetse van veele kalissen die sy nu becomen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 429 

as possible all acts of insolence in its own sphere, so that only great 
and important matters resulting' from the lesser ones are referred 
to the general chief, which general chief should be assisted by dele- 
gates from the respective members. However, as it seems that 
the Company is not inclined that way, it will not be possible to 
bring this about gradually and carefully but only to introduce it 
when the charges become too heavy, in order to get relief, though 
it will not be possible to do it then as conveniently as if matters had 
been guided in that direction from the beginning. Your honor will 
please excuse me if I expatiate too much on this subject; it has 
been my object from the beginning and I am not jealous to keep 
my freedoms for myself alone, but am quite willing that others 
should have the same privileges, and dare freely express my opinion 
that, if the Company admits no more colonies, the bounds of New 
Netherland will not be extended but contracted and encroached 
upon, as is done even now by foreigners, English as well as Swedes. 
Returning now again to my private affairs, I enclose the invoice 
of the goods which I send by the ship den Harinck, in order that 
your honor may see that I seek to deal with the Company in all 
sincerity. Your honor can open the boxes as you please and ex- 
amine them to make sure that there is nothing else in them ; but if 
there is anything that your honor needs for the Company or for 
yourself, I wish that I could satisfy you rather than my people 
who are inexperienced, 28 or that your honor would give me fur- 
ther information . . .- J what I entrust in secret to my servants 
they may later when I have made them too wise use against' me. 
They imagine at once that the same prices for grain which I make 
with the Company must also be paid cash to them, although there 
is- a reason for doing this between me and the Company which does 
not exist between them and me who am their master. On the other 
hand, the goods which I receive from the Company by way of pay- 
ment, they would also want to have at the same price if they knew 
too much about it ; therefore, settle this matter if possible by your- 
self in order to have a definite basis for the future, and as to your 
honor having scruples about settling this between you and me, on 
my request, I do not see that it is contrary to the commission from 
the lords directors, for the instructions you have to trade with my 
people does not exclude trading with the principal himself in- 
stead of with his servants; and whether through ignorance of cir- 



:s die onhervaren syn. 

20 Here a line is apparently omitted in the Letter Book. 



430 NEW i ORK s r WE l [BRARY 

cunistances 1 have in this letter ordered anything to my detriment 
or benefit, 1 shall submit myself in fairness to your honor's judg- 
ment, but if there should then still be some difficulty refer the 
matter with the arguments to the Company ami to me. for 1 should 
not like to have my people get too wise and figure out their master's 
profit, especially in matters in which they themselves are somewhat 
interested, 30 for in the course oi time 1 shall have to find means 
with which to pay the wages oi commissi! and others [tor work] 
for which as yet 1 >til! have to employ the farmers ami others. I 
have no objection to their knowing everything, except the freight 
and other charges, the price oi grain and the manner of payment; 
these 1 would rather keep a secret between the Company and my- 
self. 1 ask you kindly to assist me herein without detriment to 
the Company, and to communicate nothing oi this to the servants 
oi the Company but to write freely and openly about it to the lords 
directors, who, 1 hope, will keep it secret also, and to give your ad- 
vice ami reasons on each point separately, as there are but few. [ 
shall then be better able to trade with my people and to satisfy them. 
If your honor approve of this, send only the enclosed invoice 
with the goods to my people, keeping the rest with yourself; but 
if you disapprove, and 1 hope that you will not. your honor wall 
please send the invoice with all these enclosed papers to my cousin 
Areni : . who is still young. They may see what arrange- 

ments they can make with you. 

I am negotiating about sending some people of capacity 81 to my 
colony, but they were not able to make up their minds so quickly 
and to get ready, and in the former officer, Jacob Planck. 1 do not 
find a proper manager, lie knows more about trading furs, which 
have been of greater profit to him than to me; however. T wish to 
part from him in friendship and not to give the least occasion for 
dissatisfaction among my people, for they stir one another up. This 
in secret between your honor and me but little news to the lords 
directors who understand matter- of government 

And as the payment for the grain and the acceptance of the 
merchandise is still uncertain, 1 should like to have the rumor go 
forth that the merchandise was to be sold at an advance of 
and that the wheat had sold at eight guilders Holland value and to 
have your honor settle accounts with my people on that basis. 



unacquainted, or tor mmmJic/i. 
ininiio.il. 

Heeren 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 43 1 

with the understanding that the Company in good faith will pay 
me whatever we shall agree upon in addition ; and in order that 
your honor may not think that I try to defraud my people in the 
least, I will further explain to your honor my reasons. The first 
is that they do not by far give me what they promise in this coun- 
try, for instance I have found out that Gerrit de reux, with whom 
I had agreed that all gains no matter what they might be called 
should be shared half and half, has had nearly 1500 guilders worth 
of goods for himself of which I had no knowledge, and the others 
apparently in proportion, and then they dare sustain that I ought 
to pay them here promptly for the wheat, which was delivered 
to the Company, at 10 guilders a mudde, while up to this date I 
have received from the Company nothing but credits on my ac- 
counts, aside from the fact that I stipulated the right of preemption 
of the animals and consequently also of the grain, which I think 
may fairly be reckoned at eight guilders between them and me. As 
to the merchandise, inasmuch as I have sold that which I have 
thus far sent from here to them at an advance of 50$, they ought 
on account of the increased charges by the Company pay me some- 
thing more too, which they will be the more willing to do when the 
rumor goes forth that they cost me so much from the Company. 
At all events, it is plain to me that I can not defraud them but that 
they can defraud me. Here your honor has now the entire secret 
of my affairs, as to which I would rather deal with your honor or 
with the Company without the knowledge of my people than with 
their knowledge. 

Regarding my nephew van twiller, although they have dealt very 
sharply with him, he has taken all his books and papers with him 
and given them such satisfaction that to this hour the lords direc- 
tors have not been able to accuse him on one single point upon 
which he has not given them satisfaction. He has had to suffer 
many evil tongues, which never fails to be the lot of those who 
occupy any high charge or post. I should be pleased if the minis- 
ter continued to perform religious services a few times a year in 
the colony at Fort Orange. I have thought of some means whereby 
I could engage a minister and other officers but must see how it 
will work. 

Cornells Mclyn is still in France. He sold our ship there with 
profit but through lack of knowledge of the matter has had a poor 
catch and caught not much over 12,000 codfish. In course of 
time this will have to be looked after better, at present we must 
pay for our experience. 



43 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Your honor will please place to my credit whatever goods you 
have kept and each year settle accounts with my men, balancing 
the amount against the grain delivered by them. As to the neces- 
sity for my having a boat, the expenses have truly thus far been so 
high that nothing has been done about it ; and as to the freight 
charges on my goods sent to the colony, as your honor says, these 
ought to be included in the account of the grain and merchandise, 
especially as the Company promises the patroons, for the sake of 
better populating the country, to transport all farm implements 
free, but I shall wait to see what your honor charges me for that. 
I do not in the least desire that the Company shall suffer loss, 
but if their goods are going up or grain comes down it would be 
an accommodation if those of the patroon were shipped with them. 

I did not in the least want to mix my people's goods with my own 
and hope that they like others will pay the duties and freight ; the 
only things that by mistake got among my goods are a small cask 
of gunpowder belonging to Reyer Stoffelsscn and four shirts of 
my cousin arcnt van Corler; I know of no others. As you write 
that I shall need a vessel in case my grain is sold outside the limits 
of the Company, you would do me a kindness by informing me 
thereof in time so that provision can be made, but as your honor 
writes that if the population continues to increase the price of grain 
will keep up for some time, I think that there will be no need for 
it so very soon; moreover, if the English knew that we had a sup- 
ply of grain they would no doubt themselves come for it from 
Virginia and New England. The coming of these horses and other 
animals will spread the rumor of our [efforts at] populating widely 
among our neighbors and show them that the Company is taking 
the matter in hand more earnestly than before. 

Your honor will see from the letter of the Company that they 
do not make so much difficulty about furnishing peltries for grain 
as your honor does, for they put it indifferently either one or the 
other. 33 Your honor makes a mistake in valuing the skins there 
at the price they bring here. In throwing the trade open to every 
one, which does not please me any too well, there will be a great 
deal of fraud, and whether the Company has herein followed the 
best course is not for me to inquire. The difficulties which I 
foresee in it will no doubt reveal themselves in time and I can not 
see how the officers of the Company will thereby rise in estimation 
or find opportunity to let the Company make profits; on the con- 



ii 1- peltries or merchandise, Sec p. 423, 441, 457. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 433 

trary, they will yearly run far behind. At first there will be some- 
what of a rush and duties and freights may increase, but this will 
soon cease. Enclosed is my statement of what I may owe the 
Company, this can be settled here better than there. Please to 
greet oloif Stevesz from me, who has been my . . , 34 and is 
now in your honor's service ; give him the enclosed. I should con- 
sider it a favor if he were advanced a little. 

Commission to Arent van Curler as secretary and bookkeeper 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 35 

May 12, 1639 

Arcnt van Corler, who sailed as assistant of the colony of Rens- 

selaerswyck, is hereby promoted to and qualified as 

Corier, secre- secretary and bookkeeper of the said colony, to enter 

tary and book- U p n the records faithfully all resolutions and public 

keeper 

instruments ; also to keep proper books and accounts 
of the increase of the animals as well as of their deaths, indicating 
the day and month and as far as possible the cause of death: also 
to make proper distinction between expenses which must be charged 
to the patroon or the colony and those that must be charged to the 
farms and to the accounts of the individual farmers, tobacco 
planters or other servants, the patroon's intention being that after 
he has once erected the houses of the respective farmers and pro- 
vided them with [hay] barrack and barn, wagon and plow, the 
same shall thereafter be kept in repair, half at the expense of the 
patroon and the participants and half at the expense of the farmers, 
not including herein the household effects which each farmer must 
provide at his own charge ; moreover, to prevent all carelessness, 
the farmer must bear one half of the damage by fire to his house 
and what belongs to it ; also to enter the 16 guilders a year extra 
for expenses of each farm hand, 36 which covers all small expenses 
and also the earnest money and agent's commission for procuring 
said farm hands and to which shall be added only the annual wages 



34 die tnyn dick over geweest is. The meaning of this phrase which hints at some 
former connection or business relation between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Oloff 
Stevensz van Cortlandt, the future father in law of the patroon's son Jeremias, is not 
clear. By changing a single letter, the phrase can be read die myne ick over geweest is 
(who I believe has been over) but as the patroon would unquestionably have known 
whether Oloff Stevensz had been in Holland or not, it would seem that this interpreta- 
tion must be rejected. 

80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.163. 

30 See p. 611. 

28 



434 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

which they receive : also to demand of the farmers annual returns 
of the increase of the animals and the surplus grain, one half belong- 
ing to the patroon or the participants and the other half to them- 
selves, the wheat being valued provisionally at six guilders a mudde, 
for reasons more fully specified in the instructions, with promise 
that those who will serve him conscientiously, faithfully and justly 
will receive as much more than six guilders as circumstances will 
in his opinion in any way permit : also to keep proper account of 
how much each farmhouse costs and to see to it that the timber 
be hewn for them in winter and that the carpenters do good work 
at reasonable wages, the patroon intending that he shall, with the 
advice of Cornells Theunissen as representative 37 of the patroon and 
the participants, contract at a reasonable rate for the houses which 
may be erected there until other officers or commisen specially 
qualified to do so shall arrive in the colony, in order that the car- 
penters may receive proper wages and the patroon get good and 
cheap work. And as the administration of justice in the said 
colony ought not to be neglected either, the said arcnt Van Corler 
shall advise with the person above mentioned and in more serious 
cases also seek the assistance of Picttcr Cornelissen and with them 
provisionally and until further order fill the post of officer. Upon 
„„«,.„ . , receiving- good reports and results of their services 

N.B. Shall with & & c 

the advice of the patroon will pay proper attention to the pro- 

cerus* ten- motion which is most suitable to them. The pa- 

mssen and if need 

be with the assist- troon recommends to each one to do his duty and 
ance of Picttcr to y lye w j^- n the others in friendship, peace and 

cornelissen pro- 
visionally fill harmony, to hold religious services at the proper 

the post of officer, seasons especially on Sunday by public prayers, 

hymns, thanks, and readings from the Holy Scriptures and the 

authors of the Reformed Christian Church. Further, he orders 

this document to be entered on the records after it and also the 

commissions of the others have first been publicly read in the full 

council of the colony. Done at Amsterdam, this 12th of May of 

the year of our Saviour Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred and 

thirty-nine and in witness of the truth signed by me. Was signed: 

kiliaen van rensselaer, patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 

and further sealed with the seal of the said colony. 



voorsprakc ; see his commission, on p. 435. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 435 

Commission to Cornelisz Teunisz van Breuckelen as repre- 
sentative of the patroon 38 

May 12, 163P 

Cornells Tlicunisscn van breuckelen, farmer on the farm called 
Cornells teunissen, Blocniartsburch, is hereby appointed and author- 
the r patrodn V and f the ized to fill the position and office of representa- 
participants. tive 39 [to defend] the rights of the patroon and 

the interests of the participants in the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck and to represent him and them in everything that may 
tend to the advantage of his aforesaid lords and masters. And 
as the colony for [certain] reasons is as yet not provided with a 
commiSj the aforesaid Cornells Tlicunisscn shall assist with word 
and deed the person of arcnt van Coder, who is secretary and book- 
keeper of the said colony and who will hold the said office pro- 
visionally and until further order, in order that all the goods that 
are received may be carefully entered on the proper accounts and 
that a record may be made of their disposal ; also help to bring 
about that all resolutions and public instruments be entered on the 
records of the colony, among them this present commission, which 
provisionally is to last for a period of two years. Done at Amster- 
dam, this 1 2th of May in the year of our Savior Jesus Christ, 
one thousand six hundred and thirty-nine and in witness of the 
truth signed by me. Was signed: kiliacu van renssclaer, patroon 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and further sealed with the seal 
of the said colony. 



1,8 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.164. 

35 roorspracckc; literally one who speaks for another, one who pleads or defends 
another's cause. In seventeenth century documents the term occurs frequently in the 
legal sense of attorney, or advocate, as for instance in the resolution of the States of 
Holland and West Friesland of July 30, 1603, whereby sellouts and secretaries are for- 
bidden to appear in the courts with which they are connected as voorspraaken or 
woorthoudcrs of parties to actions pending in such courts. As the duties of Cornelis 
Teunisz according to his commission and instructions were apparently less of a legal 
than of a general representative character, to look after the patroon's interests, the term 
" representative " has been preferred in these translations to either attorney or advocate. 



43^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Commission to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam as receiver 
of tithes and supercargo of the vessel 4 " 

May 12, 1639 

Pieter Cornelissen van munnickendam, master millwright of the 
Picttcr Corneiisen m \\\ company, is hereby appointed and authorized to 

receiver of tithes . 

and supercargo of receive and to collect, in accordance with his m- 
the vessel. structioiis sent to him by letter, such tithes as are 

covered by the annexe 1 authentic extract from the contract made 
and entered into with the freemen or inhabitants of the colony of 
Rensselaerswvck executed in the name of the ahsentees before 
Notary joost vande venne on the 28th of March 1639, and this pro- 
visionally for the period of two years, orders being hereby given 
to the council of the said colony to lend him a helping" hand herein 
and especially, in the absence of higher officers whose places for 
certain reasons are for the present still kept vacant, to the secretary 
and bookkeeper of the said colony, arent I 'an Cbrler, and to Cor- 
nells Theunissen ran breuckelen, in his capacity of representative of 
the patroon and the participants in the colony aforesai 1, in order 
that the good and Christian intentions which the patroon and par- 
ticipants of the sail colony have with regard to the holding of 
divine service and the maintenance of justice, though largely at 
their charge and expense, may not be frustrate:!. But since in the 
beginning all dues can not be strictly determined and collected, the 
aforesaid receiver of tithes, advising with the aforesaid two per- 
sons, shall have power to treat and settle in fairness with the per- 
sons concerned and shall yearly render accounts of the proceeds, 
stating the amount thereof, so as to he able to make better calcula- 
tions 111 engaging the minister and other officers of the colony. It 
is hereby agreed that the aforesaid pietter Cornelysen shall receive 
for his trouble and expenses in connection therewith the tenth 
penny of said tithes, and power is given him to apply the said 
receipts in the most economical and useful manner for the interests 
of religion and justice and of the patroon and the participants. 

Tie is also hereby authorized to act as supercargo " of the vessel 
which shall sail Up and down the river. for the said colony and no 
one is to ship anything either up or down withoul his knowledge 



<0 V. R. D. Mss, Letter Book, {.163b. 
'" Commys vant vaertuych. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 437 

and consent, and the said pieter Cornelissen shall cause this commis- 
sion to he entered upon the records of the colon)-. Done at Am- 
sterdam, this 1 2th of May of the year of our Savior Jesus Christ 
one thousand six hundred and thirty-nine. In witness of the truth 
signed by me, and was signed: Kiliaen van rensselaer, patroon of 
the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and further sealed with the seal of 
the said colony. 

Permit to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen to settle as farmer 
on de Laets Burg 42 

May 12, 1639 

Maurits Iansen van broekhuijsen, heretofore appointed as 
, r .. , farmer - ' 1 '' on a farm newly to be established on the 

Mounts Iansen van J 

broeckhusen farmer east side of the river, is hereby authorized [to settle 
on Jdaetsburch. ^ farmer on the farm called de laats burch," 
on which formerly Gerrit de reu.v was farmer, and this 
on the conditions agreed upon with Gerrit de reus in 
the year 1632, and also with the stipulation as to the right 
of preemption of the grain and animals at the option of the patroon 
and participants of the said colony of Rensselaerswyck heretofore 
misconstrued by gerrit de reus; the patroon promises however that 
if the said maurits jansen conducts himself well on the said farm 
and honestly and faithfully accounts for all gains and profits, no 
matter what they may be called or how he may have obtained them, 
not concealing any, then the patroon will allow him more for the 
grain according to circumstances, as is more fully specified in the 
commission given this day to arent van Coder; included herein is 
also the fur trade on half shares and nothing else; reference is 
further made to all parts of the aforesaid commission which relate 
to the farmers as well as to the contract made with Gerrit de reu.r 
aforesaid, especially to the clause providing that the six years of 
the aforesaid lease both with regard to the pasture and the plowed 
land shall commence each year on the first day of the month of 
January and also end exactly on that date, but the wages of the 
farm hands and the leases of the houses shall commence and cease 
or expire on the first of May following. He shall not be permitted 
to have any grain appraised on the field for the account of the 
patroon but the latter shall receive one half of what shall actually 
be in the barn on the first of January, when most of the grain 

« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.164. 

48 bouw-tnr. 

** Situated on the- Mill Creek, in the present city of Rensselaer. 



43$ NE W YORK STATE LIBRARY 

is thrashed, after deduction of the feed of the cattle and [an amount 
equal in value to] the board and wages of the family till the first 
of May, in which the aforesaid Dc reus also tried to make a change 
directly contrary to his just contract ; further he shall willingly 
pledge himself to the payment of the wages of the men, the 16 
guilders a year for each farm hand, and whatever else is specified 
in the commission and instructions given to arcut van Corler, also 
to turn over the surplus of animals whenever he is requested to do 
so and on receiving payment for one half of them according to 
the stipulated price. And he shall have the choice to have settled 
on the farm heretofore assigned him by the patroon, on the same 
conditions as above, either his foreman assigned to him by the 
patroon, to wit, adriaen Comelissen van barsingerhom, if he has 
served him well; or else rocloff Comelissen, 45 or cryn Cornelisz** 
the two brothers either jointly or separately. He shall also cause 
this instrument to be entered upon the records, together with the 
contract of the person who shall have the other farm. In Amster- 
dam, this 12th of May sixteen hundred and thirty-nine. Was 
signed: kiliacn van rensselaer, patroon of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, and further sealed with the seal of the said colony. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 47 

May 13, 1639 
Arundtt Van Curler 

The 13th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 
Mon Consyn: As the wind turns rapidly toward the east I 
must make haste with my business of the colony. I have received 
yours of the 16th of July 1638, to which I will say briefly that you 
do superfluous work by putting the date both at the top and at the 
bottom of the letter, once is enough ; also by adopting the general 
style followed in the schools, for example: If it were other- 
wise I should be heartily sorry. Such and similar words fill the 
paper but give no advice. You might leave these out and in place 



45 Roeloff Cornelisz van Houtcn; first entered in the account books under date of 
June 11, 1638. 

40 In Gerechts Rollc, 1648-52, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, generally referred to 
as Quirijn Cornelisz. The earliest mention of him in the account books is under date 
of April 20, 1637. In Maentgclt Boeck, 1638-44, his account closes on Aug. si, 1639, 
and a new account is opened on Jan. 1, 1 6 4 1 . Between these dates he was apparently 
in Holland, as the patroon in his letter to van Curler, May 30, 1640, states that "i'lijn 
Comelissen goes over now." 

" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 1 1. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 439 

thereof write me definitely about everything that happens in the 
colony, and instead of taking such pains to write letters for others, 
write to me, for your promotion must not come from them but from 
me and you must give me separate answers to everything that is 
mentioned in this letter and in all the papers which I send you. In 
that way I shall see what use I can make of you. You must in- the 
beginning not hold your head too high, for that does not end well. 
I had asked your brother to write to you the situation at nyckerck 
and of the death of your father. He tells me that he has done so but, 
instead of communicating the said letter to me as I expected, he has 
sent it by Sander* 8 for which I am not well pleased with him. I 
am also displeased with you because you sent a letter by acrt which 
he was to deliver himself, and if I understand the reason rightly 
it is because you write about private transactions which you do not 
wish me to know about. This is not the right way for advance- 
ment. Write of such things to me and I shall not refuse you any- 
thing to your advantage which is fair. In the future, therefore, 
enclose letters which you write to others in those to me, and if 
you want to seek your greatest advantage leave them open that I may 
read them. I can then see that you mean to do right by me ; other- 
wise, you give me cause to think that you are seduced by the people 
and that you want to do as they do and conceal everything from 
me that is possible and feasible to conceal. Take this from me as 
a lesson and an admonition to govern yourself accordingly and I 
shall not fail to advance you if I see that you stand by me instead 
of by the people. Urge brandt Peelen also to conduct himself hon- 
estly and not to be led astray by the actions of Gcrrit de reux, who 
has told him a good many things that are not so and that are to 
my disadvantage, for he has managed to leave things so that in 
goods as well as skins and debts and other things, he had about 
1000 daelders 49 which of right belong to me, and of which, if he had 
remained alive, I should apparently not have received much. Brandt 
pelen and claes jansen ruyter were witnesses thereto, which is all 
right except that they should have advised me of it or at least have 
urged Gcrrit dc reux to enter the same in the books, as he was 
careful to do about the grain in the field appraised at 75 guilders a 
morgen, one half of which he was entitled to in June though ac- 
cording to his contract his lease expired in January, as you may 

43 March it, 1649, Sander Leendersz and his wife Catalijn Sanders acknowledge their 
contract with the late patroon, dated March 28, 1639; Gcrechts Rolle, 1648—52, f.27, 
among the Renssclaerswyck Mss. 
49 One daelder=i 1 / & guilders. 



440 Xi-:\V YORK STATE LIBRARY 

read at length in the enclosed documents. I have paid the brother 
in law of brandt peelen 600 guilders and also agreed to pay 1120 
to the heirs of Gerrit de reus, deceased. Let him [ Peelen j conduct 
himself as an honest man and do justice to his master; he will then 
keep a good conscience and I shall not grudge him his profit if I get 
my half [share]. Say this also to Cornells theunissen, with whom 
you will discuss your affairs and communicate to him this letter and 
all my papers. I have for that purpose ma:!e him my own as well 
as my coparticipants' representative. Let him also incline toward 
my side, he will not have to complain of it ; let him help me in my 
rights, more I do not ask and he shall be duly rewarded by me. I 
have no time to write to him ; give him his sealed commission and urge 
him to take good care that his farm be profitable too, as thus far it 
has been a great expense to me and yielded few returns ; let him 
also write to me about everything. Hand also to cousin maurits the 
enclosed appointment as farmer, urging him to be faithful and dili- 
gent, for although I am far out of their sight they ought to be faith- 
ful to me, as they have no expenses in the world and gain whatever 
they gain through my investment. Nor ought they to defraud me 
of any part of my half, no matter how they make it ; my contract 
with Gerrit dc reux says plainly that I am entitled to one half of 
all and everything. This is the secret, they seek to defraud me in 
that and I must therefore secure something for myself too by means 
of the price of grain, till I see that they give me what is due to me; 
then I shall seek their best interests also. 

I have no doubt but you have received the goods which I sent by 
uiiiiuyt. as well as those by Cornells niclyn in twapen van noor- 
wegen, and sold them to my best advantage, either to the people on 
account or to the savages for skins. 

If you and Cornells theunissen do what is right and send me good 
returns of peltries, you will have your profit thereof also, as the 
contract with Iaeob plane provides. At first he looked out for me 
properly, but toward the end mainly for himself; however, we 
have come to an amicable agreement, for when I see that a man 
deals justly with me, I can overlook something. See to it that you 
do not give or lend to people who are not likely to repay me. as 1 
am again sending a large quantity of goods, of which I enclose the 
invoice, which 1 hope that Director kyeft will send you. Of each 
cargo that arrives by the different ships you must keep a separate 
account and yearly send me a correct statement thereof, and in 
order that no stranger swindle us out of the trade in the colony, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 44! 

do not allow any traders to stay with any one in my colony, or 
to be furnished with provisions or grain, for under that pretext 
I get cheated and other inhabitants of the colony are defrauded 
too. The servants of the Company may trade as much as they 
please but strangers and private traders I do not want my people 
to trade with. They must trade with my commisen and my com- 
miscii with the people of the colony, as can be seen from this en- 
closed original contract made with the freemen, which you must 
examine with Cornel is Theunissen. Nor do I want any of my 
grain to be sold or other articles of food to be given to any traders 
who refuse to trade with you, nor my people to exchange any 
goods or merchandise with such traders, on penalty of expulsion 
from the colony. In fine, whatever strangers trade in my colony 
must, as said above, trade with my commisen, and then it will go 
all right and the commisen will also be able to make some profit 
for themselves and for their master. If you notice that you are 
short of merchandise employ means to exchange for such mer- 
chandise as you lack the skins which you have obtained by barter 
or which have been delivered to you by other colonists and carry 
on trade with the neighboring settlements 50 even if this is not 
quite so profitable. Frequent gain, though little at a time, is also 
good. 

The Company has further charged me to write to its director 
that he must pay for my grain either peltries or merchandise at 
reasonable price. I have written my opinion about that to Di- 
rector kyeft and have no doubt but that, if you run short of any 
kind of merchandise, he will give you good merchandise for good 
wheat, as a good deal of wheat must already have been delivered 
or be in process of daily delivery. Each year you must settle 
your accounts. Enclosed is a memorial which I sent him ; act 
as if you had not received it and let no one but Cornells Theunis- 
sen see it. In order that you may recognize it, I have marked 
ii with a large K. B. If he gives you merchandise you can barter 
for skins with it, and if in return for grain he delivers you seawan 
you can also buy skins with that, and if he has neither he must 
deliver you skins and the skins you can exchange for merchan- 
dise and by so doing put most of the trade in my hands, when I 
shall also be able to remunerate you better. For the present, as 
I have no proof of your work, or of that of Cornell's Theunisen, 



nde doct den binnen lantsen handel; literally, and carry on the inland trade. 
See p. 455. 



44 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I have appointed you provisionally as secretary and bookkeeper, 
and I shall advance you further if you stand by me and do me good 
service and if you are diligent about writing and keeping record of 
the farms and animals. And above all be careful not to mix with 
the heathen or savage women, for such things are a great abomi- 
nation to the Lord God and kill the souls of the Christians when 
they debauch themselves with them. Therefore work and move 
in the council that an ordinance be issued imposing severe fines and 
punishment on those who are found guilty of it. 

I have written a letter to albert andriesen, which is herewith 
enclosed. You will copy it and hand it to him open and then 
govern yourself according to the contents. An ordinance should be 
passed in the colony directing the people to sow wheat by itself, 
for otherwise they mix rye and wheat, which is bad in every way, 
especially in reaping, as the rye is ripe sooner than the wheat and 
therefore spills on the ground during the reaping, to the great loss 
of the farmers. Let some be sorted first; this will produce clean 
wheat and can then be used as seed and so increased. 

As to the debts which Direk Corsen claims for merchandise 
delivered at Rensselaerswyck, according to the memorandum sent 
to Jacob plane which he has handed to you, please collect these as 
far as possible and see that Cornell's Theunissen pay his account 
also. 

Cristcn Crist en sen noorman owes his mate who did not go with 
him f20 for tools sold to him. Let him pay this to you, he will 
thereby pay me there what I have advanced him [his mate] here. I 
believe his name is barent. 

Regarding the boards which Peter Comelissen may saw and 
which may be needed for my houses, he must not rate them too 
high, otherwise it were better to divide half and half with him. 51 
I have also given him some office, as you can see by his commission. 
I hear that the mill is working and that plans have been made for 
the erection, at the least expense, of a grist-mill, which is much 
needed there. 

Concerning the goods which I send you or which you receive 
there, separate accounts must be sent as follows : 
proposition First, of those which arc delivered to the people on ac- 

60% count of their wages. To these people things must be 
sold somewhat cheaper than to those who give furs in return. 

7°% Second, of those which you issue to free men or to others 

"Cf. p. 444- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 443 

for furs and these people must be divided into two classes, those 
that give you furs at once receiving things a little cheaper than 
80% those who give you furs afterwards, for one can always 
buy more with ready money than on credit. 

at least Third, an account of the furs which you yourself get 

oo/o or a , barter from the savages for merchandise ; that will 

much as you J ° 

can get be most profitable to me, but I have no objection to 

others of my people making something too if they turn over the 
furs to me or to you in my name. 

plane brought me at least fioo in grain and f30o in skins. The 
duty [to the company] here and the import duty must be counted, 
also the freight charges and the duty for the Company there. 52 

When you receive skins from the director of the Company, for 
wheat at 4^2 guilders a lb, 53 according to the enclosed copy, I need 
not pay any duty as I am free from that, but of other skins I owe 
one guilder on every merchantable skin, in conformity with the 
15th article of the Freedoms of New Netherlands, which I send 
enclosed. You must read through carefully; and when you send me 
skins send me the very best, as I have to pay but one guilder duty 
on every skin no matter how large it is, while you can exchange 
the small ones with other people for merchandise. 

All the skins or tobacco which you send me you must enter with 
Director kyeft, taking a receipt from his hand that the duty has been 
paid. You must pay it in grain and pack the skins in substantial 
boxes, well preserved, tightly nailed and marked as the boxes which 
I send you, and on each box or cask you must put a distinct num- 
ber. If you give me satisfaction in everything you will have enough 
to do and I shall be able to judge of your ability and take care of 
your promotion. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam 54 

May 13, 1639 
P r . Cornclissen 

The 13th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 
Worthy, discreet Sir : As the wind begins to blow and the lords 
directors will immediately leave for the Texel, I can not answer 
vour letter at length. I am sorry about the discord which I notice 



M de recongnity hyer mette convoy moetten gerekent worden, ooc de vrachten en 
ignitye daer aende Compe. 

»»Cf. p. 458. 

M V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.nab. 



444 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

among my people, each complaining of the other, and as yet I can 
not see that it tends much to my profit. I shall therefore await 
further advice before resolving to appoint my principal officers. 
I expect from you also further advice concerning the condition of 
the sawmill. I hope that it is steadily at work and sawing large 
quantities of boards. However, you must not put the price too 
high for the lumber that is used in the colony on my houses, for 
in that way I should receive with one hand and spend twice as much 
with the other. What is sold to others or to strangers is a different 
matter. Therefore, you must make the price reasonable or other- 
wise my people could divide with you, taking as much [lumber] 
as I would need and leaving you an equal quantity to sell to your 
best advantage ; the balance which might then remain could be sold 
for the common benefit. Do not neglect to write all the circum- 
stances, how much profit I can expect from the sawmill, what the 
prospects are for the grist-mills and what they would cost. By the 
same ship goes a carpenter, called Jan Cornelisz, who understands 
mill work thoroughly and who is a freeman. He will no doubt 
assist you in one thing and another, but I recommend to you to 
arrange matters so that I do not suffer loss, for to treat me like 
the Company will not do. I prefer to do nothing rather than suffer 
loss. You write about a house, that is all right for you to live in, 
but the mill must yield me profit, otherwise the house is of no use. 
In the hope that your business will succeed, I have also begun to 
think of your advancement as you will see from the enclosed com- 
mission. I highly recommend you to observe your duties and if any 
one should hinder you in the performance thereof, let me know it, 
but on your part do not be a cause of dispute; and neglect not to 
send me our account that I may see how matters stand. 

It is said that you have many furs with you ; you know how 
many I have given permission for you to have and everything above 
that must be shared half and half and when I notice that goods fol- 
lozv and that I do not receive words instead of money, I shall send 
enough merchandise and not forget you either/' 5 As to the tenths of 
the sawmill, .1 keep this matter under consideration as the contract 
which I sent and the extract 66 which I enclose will show you. I 
have not yet filled the high office or [the posts of] officer and 
counnis, as may be seen from the commissions of the others, which 



e5 Underlined in Letter Book. 
M Extract from the contract with the freemen, mentioned in the commission to Pieter 

Cornelisz of May 12, 1639. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 445 

they will doubtless show yon and cause to be recorded at the same 
time. 57 

The money which you owe Dirck Cornelissen 5 * you must pay me 
and I shall reimburse you for it. However, send me the account 
showing what it is about and deal openly with me about everything. 
When I notice that, I shall do the same with you. / see in your let- 
ter what you have to say about others but tin's docs not vindicate you 
from what they write about you. 59 With God's help I expect better 
advice, better profits and better service and harmony than there have 
been thus far, otherwise it would grieve me and I should be obliged 
to follow an entirely different course, for if every one seeks his oivn 
interests it can not go well with the patroonP From what I hear 
it seems that G err it reus had nearly iooo daelders worth of prop- 
erty with him, in money and skins as well as in outstanding debts, 
which apparently I should have been cheated out of if I had not 
found it out. // others do the same I shall undoubtedly find them 
out also:' 3 If you experience any opposition from the farmers in 
the delivery of the tenths or the entering of the grain which they 
ship, let me know it ; I shall settle that all right and know how to 
guard myself against it. I understand also that an ordinance ought 
to be passed in the colony concerning the grain which is sold to the 
inhabitants of the colony who ought to get it cheaper than it is sold 
at the Manhatans. Finally, I listen in expectation 00 and shall see 
what the results will be. You write about advancing money from 
your purse ; that is speaking in general terms ; you should write me 
what and how much and what has been done with it, and each 
year send me an acount thereof, so that we may yearly settle and 
balance accounts in order to avoid misapprehension. Wherewith 
ending in haste, I commend you to the gracious protection of 
Almighty God and greet you heartily. Vale. 



01 ick hebbe de Hooge OfKtie oock noch met vcrgeven als officio's en Commissen gelyck 
bij dacte van andere te sicn is die sy ul wel sullen vertoonen en gelyckelyck ten 
prothocolle docn rcgistrcren. The Hooge Offitie refers to the office of director general; 
see instructions to Cornells Teunisz, Aug. 4, 1639. 

58 This should be Dirck Corsz; Cors does not stand for Cornelis but is a short form 
for Christian. 

nderlined in Letter Book. 

00 ick Luystere in peres. 



44^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz' !1 

May 13, 1639 
Albert Andriessz 

This 13th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 

Worthy very discreet Sir : As the wind begins to blow from the 
east and the lords directors are on the point of going to the Texel 
to dispatch the ship to New Netherland, I shall not reply at length 
to your letters but must say to your credit that I have received 
returns from no one but your honor. On the other hand, I have 
heard complaints saying that you have cheated Dirck Corse and 
for seven pieces of duffel given him but 25 beaver skins, dirck 
corsz has been an unfaithful supercargo ; write me the truth of the 
matter and pay me what you still owe him and if I then discover 
your honesty therein, I will on my side reach you the helping hand 
in every way, and now. that the trade is open send you by and by 
plenty of merchandise. Arrange it so, however, that every one may 
have something. Provisionally I send herewith some merchandise. 
Go to my cousin A rent van Carter and give him a true account of 
the transaction with dirck Corsz so that he can feel that the matter 
is straight and [if] you satisfy me in this respect I hereby give him 
orders to deliver to you necessaries for yourself and your people 
at an advance in price of 50^, which with the present increase of 
duties and freight charges to the Company cost me more myself, 
as well as merchandise for the Indian trade at an advance of 75$ 
over the purchase price here; in return for this you will furnish 
him skins at such a price that you make something and that I may 
have something too and to such an amount as he can give without 
inconvenience to others and to the trade which he carries on for 
me, and when these things have gotten well started, keep on my side 
and you will thank yourself. 

And to show that I shall also seek your advantage in the 
tobacco which you sent me and that which you are to send this year, 
I will try to sell it at the highest price, which is of benefit to you ; 
furthermore I will give you 25$ more than your half of the net 
proceeds will amount to, which 25^ shall be balanced against the 
75$ that you give me on the merchandise which you trade for skins 
so that the merchandise as far as the said sum goes will in fact cost 
but 50^. I will also grant you 25^ discount on the grain which you 



•» V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.113. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 447 

buy from me or need, so that when wheat costs 10 guilders a mudde, 
you will deduct 25^ and really have to pay but 7 guilders and 10 
stivers a mudde, that is, so far as the money for the tobacco sold 
for you reaches, but for anything above that the old price of fio a 
mudde must remain, unless a lower price be adopted in the colony, 
about which I am also writing to Pieter Cornclisz. 

If the farmers should agree that the market of the wheat for 
the inhabitants of the colony and for no one else were fixed at 8 
guilders a mudde I shall be satisfied, although I do not like it. 
In that case, if the wheat came down to 8 guilders, by balancing 
the 25^ discount against the expenses of the tobacco, it would cost 
you but 6 guilders a mudde, but this must be fixed voluntarily as 
I should not want to force or constrain any one thereto. 

Now as to the tobacco which you sent me, it is a great loss to 
yourself and to me that the tobacco in these barrels was so poor and 
thin of leaf that it could not stand being rolled, which must be due 
to your having left too many leaves on the plants ; furthermore the 
weight was short. On the one hand, I am suspicious about hermen 
den bouliverckcr, - now going to New Netherland, whom for that 
reason I did not want to take into my colony as a freeman, as he 
goes over as a broker and in all sorts of ways tried to induce me 
to put it 03 at 6 stivers [a pound] which I did not want to do ; on the 
other hand, there must be some error, for barrel No. 2, which you put 
down at 292 lb, weighed but 220 lb. I have measured the barrel and 
compared it with others and it is not possible that it could have held so 
much; however, this is the first time for you and me, in the future 
we must be more careful about that. These are the weights as I 
have found them: No. 1, 184 lb; No. 2, 220 lb; No. 3, 190 lb good 
and 13 lb rotten; No. 4, 143 lb; No. 5, 178 lb; No. 6, 140 lb; No. 
7, 187 lb good and three pounds rotten, amounting together to 
1242 lb good [tobacco]. Deducting 6$ 64 for the stems, or 86 lb, 
there remain 1156 lb net, which at 8 st a pound amount to f462 :8. 
I have given them to a man to sell for that amount but not half 
of it is sold yet. Meanwhile I do not want to keep you waiting. 
I have paid for freight according to my Freedoms 30 st per 100 
lb, for which others would have had to pay twice as much. I 
have also paid 1st per lb duty which amounts to f6o, and with 
some small charges by coopers and truckmen, in all to fox). There 



u Should be den bontwercker, the furrier. 

88 The price of the tobacco. 

•* So in original, but should be j%. 



448 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

remains therefore net {372:8, that is for your half f 186 14, against 
which you must credit me with one half of what you have sold 
there, and in order to close this account, reckon the wheat which 
you have received and which you are still to receive at f3 a mudde, 
for so far as these f 186 14 of your half share reach, above that 
the wheat must be counted at fio. Please make out also each 
year a complete account of all expenses and receipts from the 
tobacco so that I can see whether I make progress or not. Had 
this tobacco not been so bad and wretched, I could have gotten 
10 stivers for it, and if in the future you take better care and 
leave fewer leaves on the plants, I hope that we shall get as high 
a price as others. The tobacco from ChristoffeF 5 is here so plen- 
tiful that it brings but 3 stivers a lb, therefore try to grow good 
stuff, for the poor quality brings little money. I can not get many 
people on account of the great mortality which there has been in 
this country. Your brother in law was with me but has not come 
back ; be commended to God Almighty. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Wolfertsz 06 

May 13, 1639 

Jacob Wolverssen, in Xew Netherland 

The 13th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 
I have received yours of the 13th of August 1638 and noticed 
how everything is situated. I have no time to reply as the wind 
begins to blow and the lords directors have already left for the Texel. 
I only urge yon in a general way to help me wherever you can do 
me a kindness and I will return it. I shall also look forward to 
y< mr letter when )'on have been in the colony, stating what you 
have found out there to my best interest and your own. If my 
cousin Arcnt van Corlcr should be dead, which I hope he is not, 
I hereby give you power to receive the goods which I am now 
sending over. Open his letters and follow the directions contained 
in them and keep separate accounts of the said goods, carrying 
out the orders which I have given him. I have not time to write 
more because the time is gone. Commending you to the gracious 
protection of Almighty God, I greet you and your wife and your 
father 07 and all the old acquaintances heartily. 



* 5 St Christopher; an island in tin- Wist Indies. 
80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.114. 
■ Wolfert Gerritsz van Couwcnhoven. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 449 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Ulrich Lupoltt 68 

May 13, 1639 

S r vlrich Lupolt, in New Netherland 

The 13th of May 1639, in Amsterdam 
Worthy, .prudent, very discreet Sir: 1 find myself with your 
honor's favor of the 12th of August 1638, but as the wind forces 
me to be brief, I can not reply as I ought. I thank your honor 
for your friendly offer and would not in the least have your honor 
get in any way into difficulty on my account. I seek your honor's 
favor and assistance only where it does not interfere with the serv- 
ice of your honor's masters and my lawfully obtained Freedoms 
and Exemptions of New Netherland (offered by the Assembly of 
the XIX to all the participants), especially in sending people and 
goods again at the first opportunity and in the most convenient 
way to the colony, so that they may not be detained ; in this you 
can assist me; I shall not neglect to be grateful. I have already 
recommended you to the lords directors with whom I am acquainted 
and think that your honor will now have a better place than the 
office of fiscal has been, wherewith ending, I commend your honor 
after hearty greetings to the gracious protection of Almighty God 
and remain. I thank your honor most sincerely for friendship 
formerly shown me. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 69 

June 11, 1 639 

Toussain Muijssart, at Leyden 

This nth of June 1639, m Amsterdam 
I received yours of the 28th instant, also the i^o^:yy 2 from S r . 
Daniel and Pauwel Godijn on the 6th instant, making with the 
f290:i2^2 for the blankets 600 guilders 70 credited to the account 
of Mr Johan de lact for his tenth share in the consignments pur- 
chased for our colony and its other expenses ; also the 600 guilders 
which by previous letter you made me pay for your tenth as afore- 
said, all subject to proper audit and further settlement. As to our 

88 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.114. 

88 V. R. B. Mss. Letter Book, f.iT4b. The beading and first line of this letter are in 
the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

70 It will be noticed t hat the amounts do not check. 

29 



45° NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

goods, of which notice was given and which were in the store- 
house in time, they were twice sent to the Texel by lighter but 
could not be loaded in the ship den Harinck on account of lack of 
room and consequently came back again, except the iron and steel 
and smith's coal and a few other goods which were taken, as well 
as all our people, to the number of about 12 persons. I was very 
angry, as I had reason to be, and the Company or its commissioners 
finding their mistake have hired another ship to go thither and to 
transport our goods, but when that will get to sea I do not know. 
It is a great loss to us ; we had a fine cargo, amounting to more 
than 14500, which will still bring us good returns if it can be 
gotten to the colony before winter, otherwise we shall lose a year's 
time; this Mr de laet ought at a convenient time and with courtesy 
to urge on Mr Coenradus and the other directors and show them 
how their fault results to our prejudice. I should have written 
before but was sorry that they treated us so. Now a ship has 
been chartered, we may still hope for the best. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Matthijs Muller 71 

June 11, 1639 

Maihys Muller, at the Hague 

This nth of June 1639, m Amsterdam 

Ordinance of the patroon concerning the sale and export of 

furs, grain, etc. 72 

August j, 1639 

Ordinance 
Whereas it is just and fair to prevent and check as much as 
possible all frauds and abuses, and whereas many of them originate 
in the shipment of divers furs and other goods out of the colony 
of Rensselaerswyck by the inhabitants or residents thereof, without 
entering them properly or in any way giving notice thereof, 
whereby the Chartered West India Company may very easily be 

" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.115. The letter itself is not found but only the address 
and date. 

« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Booh, f. 16 ( h. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 451 

deprived and cheated of its dues and their patroon of his profits. 
Therefore, the aforesaid lord patroon, in order to prevent such 
evil, as well as for other reasons, has seen fit hereby earnestly to 
admonish and strictly to enjoin all subjects and inhabitants of the 
said colony that no one of them, whoever he may be, may send 
out of the aforesaid colony, by himself or by the servants of the 
aforesaid Company or by any one else, either directly or indirectly, 
any furs, tobacco or other goods, whether by water or by land, 
up or down, to the manhatans or to the fatherland or wherever 
else it may be, without having legally and properly entered and 
given notice of the same in writing, both to the secretary and to 
the representative of the patroon, to each separately (and this 
before any one has loaded or shipped any of the goods in the 
ships, sloops, canoes or other vessels), with declaration as to the pa- 
troon's share therein, everything on pain of forfeiture of the 
said goods by the sender to the patroon, who shall have the dis- 
posal of them, which aforesaid secretary and representative must 
each for himself keep accurate accounts thereof and furnish the 
senders with proper certificates. And in order that no one may 
be exempt therefrom, the aforesaid secretary and representative 
must, each for himself, notify the supercargo of the vessel of the 
goods they want to send, even if the goods belong to the patroon, 
on forfeiture and disposal as above, and no shipments which have 
not been legally entered shall be sent. And in order that the 
.aforesaid lord patroon may not be deprived of his share of the 
grain, tobacco and other products, no farmers, tobacco planters 
or the like, in his employ and under special contract, shall be 
allowed to alienate, sell or deliver, to whomsoever it may be, any 
grain, tobacco, products of the soil, animals or whatever else it 
may be, in which the patroon has a share, without notice to and 
knowledge and consent of the secretary, representative and super- 
cargo of the vessel, each one separately, or at least two of them, 
with the exception of the tithes which shall be in the hands of 
the receiver of the tithes. And in case any one do this without 
knowledge and consent as above, the half share of the concealer 
shall be void and forfeited, whenever it shall be discovered or 
become known, to wit, one fourth part to the officer and the other 
three fourth parts to the secretary, the representative and the 
supercargo of the vessel, on condition that they take care, jointly 
and separately, before they divide, that the patroon's half be 
properly accounted for and turned over to him. And as the office 
of officer or schout is at present still vacant, the fourth part be- 



45 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

longing to the officer shall be divided into three parts and given 
to the secretary, the representative and the supercargo of the 
vessel, which three shall provisonally and until further orders per- 
form the duties of officer, the secretary having the precedence. 
And the council of the aforesaid colony is hereby ordered and 
authorized to declare such goods confiscated and to proceed against 
the violators of this ordinance as according to circumstances they 
shall see fit, as none of them ought to permit the aforesaid lord 
and patroon to be in any wise injured in his rights or share, or 1* > 
connive thereat, in view of the fact that he is far away and can 
not be present to protect his rights. The aforesaid council shall 
also see to it that this present ordinance be properly proclaimed 
and recorded by the secretary and that this ordinance be made 
known to all the inhabitants, subjects or residents in the said 
colony (without however admitting any residents) by posting of 
public notices, proclamation, personal notification or otherwise, in 
order that no one may claim exemption on account of ignorance, 
and if the council be neglectful herein, they will be held respon- 
sible, since the rights of the aforesaid West India Company and 
the profit of their patroon are most vitally concerned in this matter. 
For which purpose the lord patroon has sealed this original instru- 
ment with the seal of the colony and signed it with his own hand. 
In Amsterdam, this third of August 1639. 

< 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 73 

August ./, 1639 

Arendtt Van Curler, in New Netherland 

In Amsterdam, this 4th of August 1639 
Mon Cousyn: Enclosed 1 send you a copy of my previous letter 
sent by the ship den Harinck ; this you must also do, that is, send by 
each ship copies of what was sent by the preceding one, as the 
ships may meet with disaster, as did the ship de liefde, which lately 
sailed from there and was taken here close to land by the Dunkirk- 
ers. All the letters and papers were torn and thrown overboard 
and I received not a word of writing from any one, for which 1 am 
very sorry, as I do not know how matters stand there. Duck 
styprP 4 told me a good deal by word of mouth but he has acted 

" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.115. 

74 Dirck Stipel was appointed by the director and council of New Netherland, June 3, 
1638, as wachtmeester, or commander, of Fort Orange, at a salary of 10 guilders a 
month, to commence July 15, 1638; sic N. Y. Col. Mss, 4:io. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 453 

in a rash way here, so that I fear that he has told me lies. He is 
at present not to be found, though the banns for his marriage were 
published last Sunday for the third time, and he does not appear. 
He told me that on the east side six farms were completed besides 
the house of Cornells inascn which they were building; further, that 
this year I had already obtained 12 heifer calves in the colony, also 
that Commander kyeft had settled accounts with you and broeder 
Corncllsscn and sent a draft for about 8000 guilders by the captured 
ship, and many other things which I doubt very much. If it is true, 
another draft must be sent to me at the first opportunity. Although 
the lords directors had agreed with me that they would deliver there 
furs or merchandise for the grain, which agreement has been sent 
by den harinck, I am satisfied if this be done for the future; but 
the aforesaid draft must be sent to me and you must not take goods 
for it, as I send herewith by the ship Den cngcl Gabriel such goods 
as could not be loaded in den har'mck, together with many other 
goods, as you can see from the enclosed invoice, the goods sent in 
Den harinck amounting to £565:1:8 and those in this ship to 
£6112:13, for which I shall expect good returns in furs or drafts. 
If any one of my people should desire any money here in this 
country, have that transferred to the books of the Company in the 
custody of Mr kyeft, in order that they may receive it here from 
the Company, the amount to be charged to my account of the grain 
furnished. And pay those to whom I owe anything there as far 
as possible in goods or by transferring their accounts and so avoid 
as much as possible issuing any drafts to me. Enclosed is a sealed 
ordinance for the council to pass and put into effect in the colony, 
together with sealed instructions for Cornells Theunlsscn and the 
copy of a detailed memorandum of payments to the people ; also 
four authentic copies of commissions for yourself, for Cornells 
Thennlssen, for pieter Cornellssen and maurits Jansen ran broeck- 
huysen, the sealed originals of which were sent by the ship den 
harinck; also a copy of the memorial marked NR; from all of 
which, as well as from the copy of the last letter and from this 
letter, you can sufficiently understand my meaning and intention. 
Please record and copy all [the documents] and observe everything 
carefully, for in that way you will do me and yourself a service, 
but it can not be done without pains and I shall soon find out whether 
you can carry out my plans or whether I must make other arrange- 
ments. Now has come the time that you can advance yourself, 
therefore avail yourself of it. Read and reread all my writings as 



454 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

much as possible; if you do not spare pains you will get more 
experience from them than a young man acquires who stays four 
years with a master and pays in addition ioo daelders a year. But 
you must not spare quills and paper and must reply at length and 
punctually to everything I write, not from memory, but by placing 
before you my letters and instructions and answering point for 
point, and do not follow your own mind but the will and intention 
of your master. If any one opposes you, give me discreet infor- 
mation and I shall support you, and do not listen to people who 
seek their own advantage. 

In box No. O.O. is a wooden model of a small church ; 75 please 
use diligence in erecting it at the least cost, if the [building of the] 
farmhouses does not prevent it. I have at Craloo a farmhouse 
of that shape, which is 60 feet wide. This church would be but 
48 feet wide, so that it ought not to cost so very much. However, 
the upper structure is somewhat heavier and a story higher. It 
is my definite intention that this church be put opposite Castle 
Island, north of the small grove 76 and south of the farm of Grrrit 
dc rcux, deceased, not far from the small grove on a small hill, 77 
near or on the bank of the river. Cornells Thcuiiissen would per- 
haps rather have it on the west side of the river, but I am firmly 
resolved to have it on the east side, at the aforesaid spot. Near 
this church ought to be built also a dwelling for the minister and 
one for the sexton and this at the least expense ; to this end the 
eight farmers should bring the timbers to the required place, Pictcr 
Cornelissen furnish the boards cheap and the smith and especially 
the carpenters work diligently. Inquire some time what they 
would ask for wages for these three buildings with a palisade 78 
around the churchyard and write me about it at the earliest oppor- 
tunity, for as long as there is no minister it can stand some delay. 
Tt depends too on whether pictcr Coniclisscii will receive enough 
in tithes to pay the expenses of the church and the salary of the 
minister, but tithes will increase year by year if the [number of] 
farms increases somewhat, for which T long very much; I also 
hope that it may go better henceforth than it has thus far. You 
must in every way look out to whom you give merchandise and 
keep distinct records and send me the accounts of what was sent 
over last and of the skins received in return. T have insured 600 



75 Jndc Cassc No. O.O. lecki ecu houtsmodel van ccn kerexken. 
TB het bosgen. 

77 op ccn hoochtgen. 
7 * pallissade. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 455 

skins to be sent in den harinck and in this ship. You can govern 
yourself accordingly and send me as many as you can possibly get, 
and inasmuch as I have insured them, if you can not get them 
otherwise, try to obtain some from Commander kyeft for grain, 
or buy some from the freemen or others for merchandise, or in 
whatever way seems best, in order that in these two ships the 600 
beavers which are already insured may be sent over and this for 
my own account, as the insurance would be void and of no value 
if any one else should share therein. You must be very careful 
about that, as otherwise I might easily spend money uselessly and 
not be insured. But what is sent for my account must be ex- 
pressly stated in the letters and bills of lading and no one should 
send anything that does not belong to me, as I have insured my 
own goods only and not other people's. Therefore do not allow 
anybody to send anything that does not belong to me; if any one 
should want to send anything to me, he may do so on his own 
account but not under my name. I should also be pleased, and it 
would be advantageous to the people, if some of the mechanics and 
others would build their houses around the church, as for instance 
rcycr St off els en Smith, who would be nearer to the farms there 
than anywhere else; also the wheelwright, the carpenter and such 
like, but as they are freemen, I can not command them. However, 
you will not neglect to inform them of my pleasure in the matter. 
Pay close attention also to the inland trade, giving the people of 
the colony merchandise for furs and selling such furs again for mer- 
chandise at the manhates or to other people, which said merchandise 
you could in turn exchange for furs in the colony and in this way 
do me a great service ; however you must not trade on credit but 
exchange goods for goods and I will take notice of your services 
and give you a proper share of the profits which you realize, or 
advance you. It depends only on good management to bring the 
most of the trade at Fort Orange, aside from that of the Company, 
into my hands 79 but if you want to mix your private interests with 
this and seek your own advantage, you will spoil one thing as well 
as the other, for which you must look out. Wherewith ending, I 
commend you to the gracious protection of Almighty God and 
greet you heartily from us all. I shall not have time to write to 
any one else, especially to pictcr Comelissen and albert andryesen, 
whom I wrote by den harinck: for fear the [letters! were not 



n liet en mancqueeri maer acn goct bcleyt omde meeste handelinge vanl fort orangien 
buyten dc Corner, aen my tc brcngen. 



456 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

received, I send enclosed copies which you will hand them or copy. 
But if they received the originals by den harinck, you may keep 
them or tear them up. Give my greetings to Clacs I an sen van 
naerden and recommend to him to see to the putting up of build- 
ings on my farms, to set a good example to the. men, in everything 
to serve my best interests and to build the church in such a way 
that he may be proud of it. Greet also my cousin manrits Iansen, 
recommending him to be diligent and economical and not to do like 
others but to be straightforward. Greet also the other farmers, 
urging every one to be faithful and diligent, and do not forget 
Cornells Thcnnisscn, reading to him his sealed instructions and 
urging him to observe them carefully and to assist you with his 
best advice. Thys barentsen SeJwemaecker still owes me a good 
deal ; let him pay you in skins at a reasonable price. You must 
know that beaver skins have gone down at least two guilders per 
marketable skin and, since they are sent at my risk, that you must 
get them proportionately cheap. Do not tell anybody that I have 
insured some skins. 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft so 
August 4, 1639 

Willem Kicft, in New Netherland 

In Amsterdam, this 4th of August 1639 
Heer Directeur: On the 12th of May last, by the ship den 
harinck, I advised your honor at length and also sent the invoice 
of the goods amounting to £4551 14, which I intended to ship on 
my account and which were in the warehouse in plenty of time 
but had to be left out of the ship on account of lack of room. On 
my showing my dissatisfaction about this, the lords directors 
resolved to let the present ship den engel Gabriel follow (which 
has taken already pretty long) ; as the fault was on their side 
and I had given notice of my goods at least six weeks before the 
departure of den harinck, they are themselves the cause of 
this double expense. T send enclosed the invoice of what T have 
bought since the former invoice, amounting to £2126:4:8, at the 
utmost, including expenses, which together with the preceding con- 
signment of £4551:4, amounts to £6677:8:8. Hereof has been 
shipped in den harinck £565:] :K, consisting of ironwork and smith's 



V.R- B.Mss, Letter Hook, f.ij6. In tlic handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 457 

coal shipped by Jerouimus la crois to the amount of £459:9; a 
stnall square box No. D.D. at 187 :o :8 ; a small keg of soap No. V, 
at fi8:8. The rest, amounting' to f6ll2:i3, 81 goes in this ship, of 
which the lords directors will send your honor the invoice and if 
they fail to do so, which I hope they will not, your honor can see 
[what this rest is J from my invoice sent by den harinck and the en- 
closed additional invoice itself. May Almighty God watch over it 
all that it may arrive in time to be sent to the colony before winter, 
in furthering which your honor's diligence will oblige me ex- 
ceedingly. 

Since my last letter I have learned to my sorrow that the ship 
de lijefde which was nearly safe before 't Vlije 82 (which it did 
not want to enter) was taken by the Dunkirkers between there and 
the Texel, ail letters and papers being cut to pieces 83 and thrown 
overboard, so that 1 have not received a word of writing, though 
I am told that there were many letters addressed to me, especially 
one from your honor, the loss of which annoys me exceedingly, 
as it seems to have contained an order on the Company for a 
considerable sum which I can not demand now for lack of advice 
and proof. If this is so it must be for grain furnished, the pay 
for which I shall now have to forego so much longer. I request 
your honor therefore and shall depend on you to send me another 
order, as well as copies of your honor's letters. I had agreed with 
the Company that your honor should there pay for my grain in 
furs, merchandise, money or credits, and your honor has been 
notified hereof by den harinck, but as it has not been done that 
way now, I shall once more expect the aforesaid order on the 
Company and hope that in the future the grain which is furnished 
your honor will be paid for in merchandise or furs as aforesaid. 
I send herewith a copy of my last letter sent by den harinck, but 
as I hope that the originals have arrived safely I keep the [copies 
of the] documents and papers which were sent to your honor with 
the original letter. / send your honor also a power of attorney 
from tJie heirs of Gerrit de reux, deceased, which I accept for so 
far as I am concerned, requesting your honor to send all the papers, 
goods and effects, together with the inventory of the said de Reux 
to me, in order to settle all accounts zvith the said heirs, I should 
also 84 be very glad to know your honor's future intentions regard- 



M It will be seen thai the amounts here given do not check properly. 
82 The Vlie; channel between the islands of Vlieland and Terschelling, on the north 
coast ot Holland. 

M in stuckett gesneden. 

84 This passage is underlined in the Letter Book 



458 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ing my grain, whether I must expect beaver skins or merchandise 
or other payment for it, for if beavers, I could insure them here 
if I knew in advance how many to expect and by what ship, and if 
merchandise, I would send so much less from here, so that this 
ignorance of what to expect is quite detrimental to me. Mean- 
while, the farmers who have their share in the grain might wish 
to go insured under my name and I might suffer loss, as would 
have happened if I had had beaver skins in the ship de lijefde. 
And as I have as yet no one among my people who has any 
business training, I ask you kindly to help them a little in drawing 
up bills of lading and other receipts in order that in case of loss 
1 may satisfy the insurance agents and that no one's goods mas- 
be mixed with mine. In the hope of a good consignment both by 
the ship den harinck and by this ship, I have insured 600 beaver 
skins on the home voyage. If my people should hot be able to 
send that number in both ships, please to add some at my risk, 
in payment for the grain which I furnished since the aforesaid 
order on the Company, in order that I may not have to ask for any 
rebate from the insurance agents. Said beaver skins must also 
be entered on my bill of lading under my name. Your honor can 
do this in conformity with the letter from the lords directors and 
it would be an accommodation with respect to the rebate ; also, 
since the said beavers have so much depreciated, a price of fyy? 
a lb, according to the former resolution of the council there, is 
not as favorable to me as your honor has made it out to be. I 
have written to my people that they must pay the duty on my 
furs to your honor, but in view of the fact that the freight of the 
merchandise must be paid there, the lords directors would be 
pleased to receive the duty here, as I have always done formerly 
and even now recently with Jacob pianck. In that case my ac- 
count there should not be charged with it. The 15th article of 
the Freedoms says also clearly that the guilder on each merchant- 
able skin must be paid here. I intended to send several farm 
laborers by this ship, but Dirrick Stijpel, on whom I relied, has 
deceived me. The banns for his marriage were published here 
for the third time; at present he can not be found. Apparently 
he has told me many lies, so that I am anxious to get copies of the 
letters sent by de lijefde together with the new ones. Vale. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



459 



Instructions to Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen as repre- 
sentative of the patroon^ 

August 4, 1639 

Instructions for Cornells Theunisscn van breuckel, representative of 
the patroon and the participants of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, according to which as well as other [rules] he must 
govern himself in defending the rights of his lord and master 

First, he shall take care and help hring it about that means be 
found to pay the persons connected with the church and the govern- 
ment and to that end give the receiver of the tithes every possible 
help and assistance; also at the least expense to the patroon further 
the erection of the church, a model of which is sent herewith (and 
which must be put up north of the pine grove and south of the 
farm of dc laets burch on a hill which is there near the river) s,: 
seeking to contract for the same with the carpenters and writing to 
me what wages they ask ; also, further the erection of a dwelling 
house for the minister and one for the sexton, and if necessary 
cause them to be surrounded with palisades, for which the eight 
farmers ought to bring the timber to the place and to which other.^ 
must contribute proportionally. 

Next, he shall see to it that the council of the colony shall as a 
rule be complete and consist of seven capable persons, or, when the 
inhabitants increase, of nine persons, leaving vacant the following- 
three places till they shall be filled by the patroon by commissions 
under seal : first, the place of director general of the colony till the 
patroon shall qualify somebody for it; secondly, the place of opper- 
commis of the colony till such time as aforesaid; thirdly, the place 
of officer of justice till such time as aforesaid. And as the place of 
officer of justice ought not to be vacant, the patroon has provision- 
ally and till further orders qualified thereto the following three 
persons : Arundt Van Curler, who is at the same time secretary 
and bookkeeper; Cornells T-heunissen van breuckel, who is also rep- 
resentative of the patroon and of the participants of the colony; 
Pieter Cornelissen van inunnekendam, who is also receiver of the 
tithes and supercargo of the vessel. Which three persons, for the 
prevention of all disorder, abuse, violence and trouble, shall in good 



86 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.165. Extracts in V. R. B. Mss 36. 

80 moddel vande kercke idle gestclt sail worden, benoorden het grene bos, ende 
besuyden de bouweryc vande laets burch, op een hoochte die aldaer is byde reviere) 
dat hyer nevens gesonden wordt. 



4^0 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

accord fill the place of officer and execute the same either by unan- 
imity or majority of votes, without however outvoting arent van 
Corler, to whom the care of the office is chiefly entrusted though he 
is to be assisted by the others. 

And as the office of opper-commis' can not very well be left vacant 
either, since the patroon has already sent various goods and hereby 
sends others, arent van Corler who was engaged as assistant shall 
provisionally and till further orders fill the said office also. But as 
he already has several positions and the patroon does not dare 
charge him with so many nor trust him with the provisional ex- 
ecution, he shall accept the aid of Iacob wolfertsen, the son of 
wolfert gerritsen, in the capacity of onder-comniis living at the 
manhatans, who has offered his services by letter. But if he should 
not want to be onder-eonunis, arent will have to do the best he can 
with the advice of Cornells Theitnissen van breuckel, till the patroon 
shall make other arrangements according to circumstances. At all 
events he shall take care that the books are not neglected and that 
yearly all accounts be closed and sent over, as well of the farms, 
showing what the houses cost and what the farms yearly produce, 
as of the tobacco plantations, sawmills and the like authorized by 
the patroon ; also the yearly accounts of the carpenters, showing 
what profit or loss each one in particular is to him, matters about 
which Jacob plane has been very negligent, having brought home 
his books entirely unclosed. And in case arent van Corler could not 
close all accounts at the end of the year he must nevertheless send 
the books, as from these the patroon shall best be able to judge of 
his capacity and know whether he can advance him to a higher 
office, for everything depends on the closing of the accounts and 
without that it is entirely blind man's work. Therefore if arent has 
the least hesitation about accepting this office, let him write about it 
at once and the patroon will immediately make the necessary ar- 
rangements ; for that he keeps the office open is principally to see 
what ability arendi has and it depends upon this whether the patroon 
shall let him remain commercial assistant* 7 or promote him to such 
higher office as he shall deem him capable of filling, which is of the 
utmost importance with regard to his future advancement, as in 
this way he can climb in a few years higher than he otherwise could 
in many. 

Coming now to the director-generalship of the colony, as the 
other offices are well filled, the patroon can await a favorable op- 



87 assistant vande ncgotie. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 461 

portunity without hurrying about it, as time will reveal to him who 
will further his interests most and who is most suitable to the office. 

Taking the matter as it is at present, leaving open the three 
aforesaid places, the present council shall consist of arent van Corler } 
Cornells Theunissen van breuckel and Pictcr Cornelissen van 
munnekendam, to whom the aforesaid three councilors shall add 
four persons to be selected from among those who have been coun- 
cilors before or other suitable persons who have come later. The 
secretary shall communicate the names of those chosen to the 
patroon who, if he thinks them suitable, shall approve them, as the 
patroon does not intend that any election of councilors shall be final 
unless he has nominated or at least approved them. And as to the 
instructions for the aforesaid councilors, the patroon will according 
to circumstances cause them to be drawn up later after careful de- 
liberation. Meanwhile he warns and orders the aforesaid councilors 
not to make any changes in, or put any interpretation upon, the con- 
tracts made here in the fatherland by the patroon with any in- 
dividuals, as he begins to notice already that each contracting party 
is inclined to interpret and violate the contract made with his patroon 
according to his own liking, whereas the patroon intends that all 
contracts made with him here in the fatherland shall be subject to 
the judicature of this country, to which the patroon also freely 
submits himself, not wanting in the least to be a judge in his own 
case. However, if any necessary or useful changes not intended for 
selfish purposes are needed in the contracts made, the representative 
of the patroon shall propose them to the council in the presence of 
the party interested, if they come from the side of the patroon, or 
coming from the side of the contracting party, such person shall 
propose them in the presence of the representative, whereupon both 
parties withdrawing, the council shall carefully consider the matter 
without favor or disfavor to either side and finding the change use- 
ful or further interpretation desirable shall communicate their advice 
to the patroon for his approval or further order. This they shall 
do also with regard to all contracts or agreements with the patroon 
for which application may be made- in that country. 

Coming now to the private interests of the patroon, the repre- 
sentative shall see to it that in the matter of prices of such goods or 
materials as are entered on his account, such as boards or other 
lumber sawn by hand or by the mill, the patroon is not overcharged 
and, subject to the approval of the patroon, shall have a schedule of 
prices prepared by neutral persons appointed by the council of the 



4^ 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

colony; also of the wages in so far as they are not fixed by contracts 
with the freemen. It is a selfish principle that they want to make 
the patroon pay as much as they claim they can get from others 
when one bears in mind that they use his lumber, for if they use 
such arguments against him, could he not maintain with much 
more reason that they ought first to satisfy him for his lumber and 
that then he would be on the same basis as others ? The principal 
question therefore, as far as he is concerned, is that of the wages, 
which he will gladly pay if they are fair, but he has not the slightest 
intention of purchasing at a high price his own lumber from people 
to whom he gives it for nothing; therefore a fixed rate ought to be 
decided upon as to how much he shall pay for all sorts of boards, 
of which he has thus far received no advice or information and the 
representative shall submit the said prices to the patroon's approval. 

The representative shall warn all persons who are unwilling or 
not ready, to hand in their yearly account to the secretary and 
bookkeeper, or to come to him to liquidate their accounts in con- 
formity to his instructions, and those who refuse to do so after sev- 
eral warnings he shall summon before the council in order to com- 
pel them thereto by law. He shall also see to it that the ordinance 
relating to the registration and shipment of goods as well as to the 
delivery of grain by the farmers, issued on the third of this month 
and properly sealed and signed, may have its full effect and in case 
any one shall undertake to oppose it he shall proceed against him 
according to law and send the name to the patroon. 

He shall also see to it that all furs, tobacco or goods which are 
sent to the fatherland by the commis of the colony or whoevei\shall 
fill that place, be properly packed and marked, specifying for whose 
account they were sent, and shall procure three bills of lading or 
receipts therefor either from the skipper or from the honorable 
director general of the Chartered West India Company, one of these 
to be sent to the patroon with the goods, the second to be sent at the 
next opportunity and the third one to remain there. 

Tic shrill also see to it that each year accounts be settled with the 
honorable director general of the aforesaid Company as to the grain 
delivered, the accounts to specify whether it was paid for in furs 
or merchandise or other goods, always procuring the best advantage 
for the patroon and taking care that the furs be sent to the father- 
land at the first opportunity and in the best ships. 

He shall further see to it that all persons in the colony who need 
any goods shall each year notify thereof the commis or whoever 
takes his place in order that these orders may be sent together to 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 463 

the patroon and the goods bought here in a regular manner and 
sent thither when convenient, as it is inconvenient for the patroon to 
correspond about this with every one individually; and this he shall 
let every one know. 

He shall also see to it that a sharp distinction be made between 
goods which on the patroon's behalf are given to any one in discount 
of salary, daily wages, sums due for grain and boards delivered and 
the like and such other goods as are furnished to be bartered for 
furs, which furs must in turn be delivered to the commis of the 
colony or to his substitute, in conformity with the conditions and 
contract of the freemen heretofore sent by the ship den Harinck, 
and he shall exclude all persons who should want to violate the 
same and in no wise admit to the colony any residents who intend 
to do so. 

It is not the intention of the patroon that his representative shall 
actually perform all that is written above, as every one is charged 
with his own duties, but that he shall see to it and cause those whom 
it concerns to do so and in order that no one may have any doubt 
that what is above written is the will of his patroon, the said 
patroon has thought fit to seal these instructions with the seal of the 
colony and to sign the same this fourth of August 1639, in 
Amsterdam. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem RS 

October 29, 1639 

Jonckcr Gerrit van Arnhem, deputy to the assembly of the High 
and Mighty Lords the States General, at the Hague 

This 29th of October 1639 
I still find myself with your honor's very agreeable letter dated 
September 17, 1638, from which I understand that it is your 
honor's sincere opinion and intention concerning the colonies in 
New Netherland that the first occupants ought not to be preju- 
diced in the rights which they have obtained, to which you add 
that one can not pass conditions [in favor of one person] which 
are to the prejudice of another who has already obtained rights; 
truly the upright feeling of a faithful magistrate, and would to 
God that all the directors of the West India Company had the 
same feeling, they would not then pass freedoms contrary to it. 



V.R.B. Mss : T.eiter Book. f.n6b. 



464 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

It has pleased the Assembly of the XIX in its last session, without 
mention of the matter in the call for the meeting, to devise other 
and less liberal freedoms than those of the years 1628 and 1629, 80 
and they try to bring me indirectly under that yoke and to take 
away from me what I have possessed so long and what has cost 
me so many thousands. The net which they have spread is this, 
that quite improperly they make the heading read : Freedoms and 
Exemptions, etc., for all patroons, masters, or private individuals 
who — N.B. — have planted or who shall plant any colonies in 
New Netherland, which words " have planted " are the venom with 
which they try to poison me. They have kept this so secret that 
I did not know anything about it before the close of the session 
of the XIX and later found it out accidentally when I requested 
Mr Hamel to let me read the said Freedoms, which he refused, 
notwithstanding the same in my absence seem to have been read 
in the meeting of the chief participants practically without remark, 
and what has happened further your honor will be able to see from 
the enclosed petition. And as your honor in the aforesaid letter 
was pleased to give me a favorable reply, stating that you would 
gladly see to it that I am not injured in my good rights, and also 
because your honor, the first named of the committee of their High 
Mightinesses, is also appointed to investigate my case, I take the 
liberty to address myself to your honor in the first place, the 
matter being now so much more dangerous than when through 
the earnest appeal of the honorable Burgomaster Cocnradus in 
brief these words were inserted, namely "that no one — N.B. — ■ 
henceforth or hereafter," and now in his honor's absence instead 
of "hereafter," we get practically the sense of "here before," 
which is a shameful distortion and a sly Italian trick ; where it 
comes from I do not know. Inasmuch then as this is as much 
more dangerous as no differs from yes, 00 I must be more careful 
and such persons ought to be given a sharp reprimand for this 
distortion by their High Mightinesses. My request is that your 
honor will please once more take trouble and in your capacity as 
member of the committee present the accompanying petition at the 
meeting of their High Mightinesses, or else to have this done by 
the Hon. Mr van voorhout, m deputy to the XIX ; as I had no cer- 
tain knowledge of this deceit till the very last. I had the honor 



*• andre servile vryheedeti te beramen als die vattde Jaren 1628 en 1629. 

'" Dewijle dan deesen soo reel t'periculeuser is als hct neen van hct iae verscheelt. 

*' Duyst van Voorhout; see Doc. rcl, to Col. Hist. N. Y., 1:io6. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 465 

to speak to his honor about it but once, the day before his de- 
parture, at least when I came again the next day he had left ; 
however, I think that his honor pretty well understood the matter. 
Or else, if your honor deem it advisable, you might have the 
petition handed in by the president of their High Mightinesses ; 
whatever your honor may do in the matter will be agreeable to 
me. Although the petition may be somewhat prolix, the con- 
clusion and my request are very brief, asking only for a certificate 
de non praejudicando 92 in order not to be judged without having 
been heard or summoned. I hope that their High Mightinesses 
will not refuse me this and I should be still more pleased if your 
honor would send me the same with a letter; or else, if this is too 
much trouble for your honor, if you would indicate to my friend 
matthys miller, 95 the bringer of this letter, from whom he should 
demand my aforesaid petition, with a view of returning it to me. 
If, as I hope, I should obtain an apostil to the above effect, no 
matter how simple it may be, I think that the directors will in the 
future, leave me unmolested and not use further tricks, for their 
dispute with me is without foundation, especially now that they 
throw open to everybody the fur trade, about which they have so 
violently disputed and litigated with the patroons. I hope that 
before the end of this year I shall receive some more returns of 
furs, in which case I shall not neglect to send your honor some of the 
best beavers in view of the repeated trouble which your honor 
has had in this difficult matter. My nephew, the director, has 
come back ; the Company can not convict him on a single point and 
the former fiscal, dincklagen, who slandered him so shamefully, 
instead of coming himself has sent his wife, and I take it that 
they received such a reply that they will henceforth leave the Hon 
Company and the director unmolested. 



92 arte van Nonprciuditic ; an instrument safeguarding the patroon's rights. 
m Written Mathys Muller, on p. 450. 



466 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Memorandum of matters for cousin de Casembroot to bring to 
the attention of Secretary Musch 94 

November 1639 

Memorandum of matters for cousin Casembrooth* 5 to commend to 
the attention of the Hon. Secretary Musch 

1639, November 

When the question of New Netherland, or the freedoms lately 
framed by the Assembly of the XIX shall be presented to their 
High Mightinesses for approval, that his honorable worship will 
please to remember that the said Assembly of the XIX did, first 
in the year 1628 and then in the year 1629 by way of resumption 
and amendment, issue similar Freedoms and Exemptions, upon 
which several patroons established their colonies, of whom some 
indeed have sold theirs to the Company; and that, inasmuch as 
kiliaen van rcnsselacr, patroon of the colony called Rensselaers- 
wyck, and acknowledged as such patroon in several letters 96 from 
their High Mightinesses, has so far kept and maintained his 
colony upon the aforesaid Freedoms, he begs the aforesaid secre- 
tary to recommend that before these new freedoms which are very 
injurious to him and his associates are appr@ved, their High 
Mightinesses will take care that the aforesaid patroons and private 
persons be maintained without prejudice in all the rights an 1 
possessions which they have already obtained, and that in these 
new Freedoms a clause be inserted to the effect that the first occu- 
pants (according to article 5) be not curtailed or prejudiced in 
their acquired rights ; to which matter he, rcnsselacr, is obliged 
to pay the more diligent attention as the Company in these new 
freedoms makes no mention whatever of the preceding, but on the 
contrary seems to try to include him under the new ones, calling 
them in the title, not " Freedoms, etc., for those who shall plant 
colonies or send cattle," but " Freedoms etc. for those who have 
already planted colonics or sent cattle and who shall yet do so," 
which being the case, their High Mightinesses would without their 
knowledge and intention deprive him, rcnsselacr, of what they have 
already acknowledged to be his ; and as the Hon. Messrs Arnhem 



M V. R. B. Mss, T.ctlcr Book, f.Ti;h. 

m nicht Ca.tcmbrooth ; presumably the widow of Councilor Tan Leonard de Casem- 
broot; see note on p. 525. Nicht may mean cither female cousin or niece. 
•• missiien. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 467 

and van Voorhout have some knowledge of this also, the hon- 
orable secretary is very kindly requested and prayed to take care, 
when this matter comes up, that no one be unwittingly defrauded. 
Which doing, etc. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jacob Albertsz Planck 97 

December 9, 1639 
Jacop p la nek, at Edam 

This 9th of December 1639, in Amsterdam 
Having received by the ship den harinck the account of the grain 
furnished to the Company and comparing the same with your 
memorandum, I discover some discrepancies which you can no doubt 
explain to me. In your memorandum is written : from Gcrrit de 
renx, 1638, 8 x\pril, 169 schepels of wheat, again 140, again 34, 
again 81 schepels ; from Brant Peelen, 108 schepels, again 108, 
again 98 schepels; from Cornells theunissen, 115 schepels; together 
853 schepels of wheat. In the account of Director kijeft is written, 
1638, 19 March, from brandt peelen, 43 schepels ; 12 April, from 
Jacob planch, 275 schepels ; 18 May, from Jacob planch, 355 schepels; 
together 673 schepels. Advise me at the earliest opportunity how 
this difference is to be accounted for, that Kijeft pays me less than 
you have noted down. On account of high water, I have suffered 
great loss'" in my colony, both in grain and in animals which were 
drowned. It is the Lord's will and we must have patience. On 
the other hand, eight farms have been established which have a 
surplus of horses but are much short of cattle. When you meet 
some good farm laborers, please keep an eye on them, as I intend 
to send some more thither. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 9S 

May 3, 1640 

Toussain Mitijssart, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, this 3d of May 1640 
Yours with the 12 duffels and 25 blankets in two packages re- 
ceived. I deem it advisable to keep the rugs 99 and have credited 
the amount 603 guilders 16 st on [your share of] the seventh as- 
sessment for the colony. As T have already paid for the greater 

07 V. R. B. Ms.*. Letter Booh, f.uyb. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 

• 8 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.118. 
*• Carpetten. 



468 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

part of the cargo which we shall send and as I shall also have to 
provide the assessment of trip together with the money required 
for buying him out, I am quite short of funds. Please therefore 
do me the kindness to request Mr dc laet that his honor will please 
send me his quota, being 600 guilders, at the first opportunity. I 
hope that the Lord will grant us good returns. 

The Campen duffels I have also in the house. They contain a 
good many yards more than those from Leyden and are at least 
two or three fingers wider. Before I pack them, I shall com- 
pare them with the others and see which I like better at the price. 

I shall expect the three blankets at the first opportunity, as the 
ship is beginning to make preparations. I have already engaged 
four worthy farm laborers and two free men and it seems that 
the daughters of brant pcclcn are both resolving to go along, while 
their father hopes to secure some boys also, so that I hope that no 
less than 12 persons will go to the colony; may God protect them. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 1 

May 1, 1640 

Toussain Muijssart, at Leyden 

This 7th of May 1640 

Your favor of the 5th received. I shall expect the three blankets 
at the earliest opportunity and also examine closely into the re- 
spective qualities of the Campen and Leyden duffels. We were 
already last Saturday busy comparing them. In general the Cam- 
pen duffels are much wider than those from Leyden, but that is not 
strange as I had them made that way on purpose. The pieces are 
also about 10 yards longer than those from Leyden. The wool 
of one of the consignments from Campen, for I have two of them, 
is also fully as good as that of the other but the red color of the 
Leyden duffels is superior. We shall look into this more closely 
yet and weigh every piece to see how much wool it contains, and 
for our guidance make a note of the quality, the price, the color 
and whatever else is of importance. I see your advice as to the 
tobacco. I have a hard time selling it; there are many people thai- 
look at it but few that make an offer. 

I am further surprised and grieved that Mr dc laet refuses to 
pay his quota unless I declare myself as to my understanding oi 

1 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.118. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 469 

the patroonship. It seems to me that this request is rn^de of me 
at an inopportune time, as the goods have been boughtftt common 
expense and nearly all are paid for and as this declaration needs 
ripe deliberation and consideration, so that I can not make it so 
promptly without perhaps injuring myself. This declaration I 
make with all my heart over my signature, that I do not seek in the 
least to defraud any one of the participants of what belongs to them, 
trusting that they in the same way will not curtail me in my rights 
of prerogative or patroonship, for which I refer to the documents, 
the discussions and the Freedoms granted by the Assembly of the 
XIX concerning it ; all of which is plain and clear and to my knowl- 
edge without any obscurity, and according to this I have from the 
beginning till now governed myself without to my knowledge having 
in any way extended or exceeded my power. I have also given 
notice of everything I did and in the matter of contributions and 
merchandise, usually taken special advice of the participants and 
frequently asked Air dc lact in particular to read the reports of 
those who went to the colony and returned from there, where- 
upon his honor has usually acted as if he cared little, which gives 
me the more reason to be surprised that he should at present be so 
particular. At our last conference I noticed that there was some 
dissatisfaction; had the cause of it been revealed to me I could 
doubtless have removed it, but not being aware that in ten years 
there has been any misunderstanding between me and any of my co- 
participants, I thought it quite alarming that at the said conference 
so much stress was laid on an explanation of the patroonship, as the 
documents concerning it, which by subsequent resolutions con- 
tinued from year to year have been further strengthened and con- 
firmed, are at hand. And if in anything I have gone too far or 
curtailed the rights of the participants, I wish that it had been 
pointed out to me. All these years I have as a rule, coining now to 
the main point, had all the burden, care and trouble and from 
none of the participants received any assistance except when it 
happened to suit one or the other. I have also, in order to de- 
liberate on certain points, called various meetings at which perchance 
one or two, but as a rule no one, appeared, every one appealing 
to his private affairs [as an excuse]. Finding now to my joy 
that the last meeting on the contrary was very fully attended, I 
hoped that our business would relate to the points stated in the call 
issued by me and that the participants would leave me the honor of 
presiding over the said meeting, but instead I found that my ques- 



47° NE W YORK STATE LIBRARY 

tions for consideration were either forgotten or unknown and that 
business was introduced not from my side but from the side of 
the participants, very much like a separate body against me. Such 
thing's, Mr Muijssart, ought not to occur or the colony is ruined. 
There is, there should be and there must be but one head to rule the 
colony or we shall be in each other's way. Each one will think he 
knows what is best and meanwhile nothing but quarreling can be 
expected, as in the colony of Swanendal, which was placed under 
a board of directors ; 2 this is proved by experience. Truly I should 
be unhappy if, after I have had so much expense and trouble, others 
should knock over my foundations now that business looks bright, 
and so injure themselves and me. I hope that I respect my partici- 
pants enough to heed their advice and recommendations so carefully 
that they have nothing more to wish for themselves, to render true 
accounts and to let them see, read, yes, gladly and willingly to 
let them have copy of, everything that concerns them, but I do not 
in the least approve of, much less do I want to subject myself to, 
the proposition of Mr de laet, among other things, that a case be 
made in which to lock all the books and papers and that to this 
case there shall be two keys, one to be kept by me and the other by 
some one of the participants, in such way that I should have to 
trust the participants with a key to go over all my papers while they 
do not seem to trust me by myself and alone to keep the papers in 
which they are concerned also. To tell the truth, though I am 
not as learned as Mr de Laet, I can easily foresee the consequence 
of this work. Pray, which of the two plans is the better for the 
participants, that the patroon, who also has the largest interest, 
alone keep the papers, and let the participants see them and have 
a copy of them, or that there be two keepers, each of whom has a 
key? If they can each get at the papers and unlock the case and 
anything should be missed, of whom of the two can it be demanded? 
If they must come together before they can get at the papers, would 
not the patroon then be locked out of his own house by the partici- 
pants and instead of the head become the tail? What reason have 
the participants to trust their coparticipants more than the patroon, 
and the said participants having in turn become suspect, could not 
each of the remaining participants claim a key also, and would 
the papers not be kept well then? In short, Mr Muijssart, I see 
well that there must be somebody who makes the others dissatisfied. 
I can not help that ; I do not desire greater rights than I have and 
they can not leave me less. Please to greet Mr de laet from me 



1 die veclhoofdich wicrdc gemaeckt; literally, which was made many headed. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 47 1 

and ask his honor to be pleased to pay his assessment, as otherwise 
it will cause great confusion. When we left each other I did 
not know but that Mr de laet was satisfied and I promise on my 
side to do all that an honest man and a Christian ought to do and 
more I can not say. If Mr de Laet pleases to hold back his money, 
it is already provided, and herewith I commend you, etc. 

We have further examined the duffels and find that the wool, 
workmanship and color of the Leyden make are better or at least 
as good as those of Campen, but they are fully two inches narrower, 
which we must keep in mind in the future. As to the three gray- 
colored duffels there is great misunderstanding. They should be 
only steel blue and not gray ; they will not sell as well as if they were 
white. Another time we must send a quantity of white ones among 
them, which may perhaps bring as good a price as the colored ones, 
but they must be washed quite clean and be as white as chalk, like 
the white blankets. I expect the answers of your honor and Mr de 
Laet at the earliest opportunity. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 3 

May 14, 1640 

Toussain Muijssart, at Leyden 

The 14th of May 1640 
Yesterday being Sunday, I could not write you an answer for rea- 
sons which I will state later. Today being Monday, I have decided 
(though I expect other merchants who have not seen it to inspect 
the tobacco and though 10 st have been positively offered to me 
for it before) to let your merchants have the said tobacco, in order 
to make these buyers more wide awake another time. I will deal 
with no one unless with your buyers till Friday afternoon, as Wed- 
nesday and Thursday are holidays. The price when they see it 
will be 10 st cash, just as it is, 4 without allowance for defects.* 
Upon this condition I shall expect the buyers Friday by the first 
boat, as they can hardly come tomorrow. I doubt not but our 
Amsterdam merchants will make pretty long faces, for it seems 
that they collude with one another. I shall also expect a reply to 
my letter with the order to receive the money from Mr de laet, or 



1 V.R. B.Mss, Letter Book, f.ii9b. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 

4 mette voet te stootten; literally, to push with the foot; to sell a thing as it is, without 
guaranty. 

8 sondcr refactie. 



472 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

else shall have reason for most serious complaint; for up to f4OO0 
the majority of votes may decide and including this last assessment 
Mr de laet has not yet advanced f4000, counting the assessments 
and not the sales. 

I have engaged some worthy farm laborers, and the daughters 
of brant peelcn go along also, so that already more than 12 persons 
intend to go thither and the goods are already in the storehouse 
of the Company. May the Almighty direct all well. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 6 

May 25, 1640 

IV ill cm Kieft, director in New Netherland 

25 May 1640 

The bringer of this letter, hcnirick van dijck, who sails to New 
Netherland on the ship den zvaterhont, as military commander, 
being at present still fiscal of the military court 7 of the province of 
Utrecht, which office he has held for five years, during which he 
has been mainly employed in the service of the country, has asked 
me to give him a few lines of recommendation to your honor. See- 
ing his ability and his rank, which your honor can further learn from 
his commission from the honorable lords directors and find out by 
experience, and because some of my friends in the government of 
the city of Utrecht declared to me yesterday that they were well 
acquainted with the said person, I can not help recommending him 
to your honor for such favors as the service of the Company in 
accordance with his commission and instructions and your honor's 
affection and inclination will in anywise allow, by which you will 
do me an especial favor which I shall try to return on every oc- 
casion as much as is in my power. For the rest I refer to my letter, 
which God willing I hope to write to your honor tomorrow, in 
reply to your favor of September 30, 1631), although time presses 
now so that I can hardly get ready. 

Meanwhile, if the time should fail me, as I have not written any 
letter either to my people or to any one, being busy with the copy- 
ing of the invoice of my goods, I commend my private affairs to 
your honor, etc. Vale. 



• V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.120. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 

7 fiscael vande Crijghsraet. Fiscael is the title of the prosecuting officer. In Breeden 
Raedl it is stated that the fiscal Ilenclrick van Hyck " had committed a well known 
murder at Utrecht, and had been compelled 1<> go from thence on account of it;" see 
Vertoogh van Nieu Nederland mid Breeden Raedt, translated by II. C. Murphy, N. V. 
1854. P. '73- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 473 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 8 

May 29, 1640 

Willem Kieft, director in New Netherland 

29 May 1640 
At the kind and urgent request of the commander of the militia, 
called Hendrick van Dyck, who sails thither in the ship den water- 
hondt, I could not help giving him a short letter of recommendation 
to your honor, though I sufficiently gave him to understand that 
your honor was not in any way bound to pay attention to my 
recommendation. Please therefore to excuse my taking such liberty. 
I trust that he correctly stated his function to me, as I have read 
neither his commission nor his instructions from the lords directors, 
which were none of my business. During the little conversation 
which I had with him I noticed in him some good qualities both as- 
to his intelligence and courage, which will be of great service to your 
honor. Though it was not my business, I talked also briefly with 
him about the extent of his commission as compared with that of 
your honor as director general. He said frankly that he was con- 
tent with the command over the militia, recognizing your honor as 
director general, so that I hope that your honor will in every way 
be satisfied with his service, as he must have learned by experience 
what rank every one is entitled to according to his commission. 
He offered also in case of disturbance in my colony to assist me 
with some soldiers, and as I know that (unless his commission is 
broader than I suppose) this can not be done without your honor's 
order, I request your honor in all kindness, in case of need which 
may easily occur, and if your honor should be asked to do so by 
my cousin Arent Van Corler, to second or rather to fortify him in 
his good intention, as far as the service of the Company and of my 
colony will in any way permit. As to an ordinance made by me 
providing that no one shall carry any skins or grain out of my 
colony without having given due notice of the same and entered 
them there, which is of the utmost importance to the Company with 
regard to their -duties and to me with regard to my profit, your 
honor is right in writing that the shoulders of this young man are 
still too weak to take charge of such matters. I have been delayed 
here in this country more than two years with regard to two per- 
sons whom 1 bad in view, without receiving any refusal or accept- 

* V. R- B. Mss, Letter Book, f.120. 



474 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ance, and as to the material in that country in the Company, 9 if I 
were as sure of the faithfulness of any as I am of the aforesaid 
young man, I would certainly decide to appoint some one else. 
But these are still years of probation, and I rather suffer some 
definite loss than bind myself to untried persons without certainty 
as to quality and faithfulness. 

No matter what I write, I can neither from Picter Cornclisscn 
nor from Cornells Theunissen van Brcuckcl get a final account, 
which account would soon open my eyes as to [their] capacity and 
honesty. I ask you in all kindness to give me a little of your 
honor's good advice in this matter, which I promise your honor 
to keep as secret as I ask you to keep the above. Believe me, Sir, 
the success of my colony depends mainly on the good relations be- 
tween your honor and myself and it is far from my purpose inten- 
tionally or knowingly to hurt the Company in the least in their power 
or revenue. If my people speak any foolish words, it is by reason of 
their weakness and not of my orders. I can not believe either that 
Croll has caused my flag to be hauled down from my house by 
your honor's special order, for in this country not only are those 
who have high, middle and low jurisdiction allowed to put out such 
flags but even the country inns during the fairs may do so. I have 
no advice of this matter except a verbal report and do not know 
what the truth is, nor do I know what my people did to prevent 
it. The least I could do was to ask Croll whether he did it by 
your honor's order, and if so to communicate and send over to me 
the order, that I might discuss the matter with the lords directors 
as principal with principal. It is well known that I have established 
a court of justice in my colony; even if the persons who hold office 
are not of much capacity (which with God's help I hope to remedy 
soon), this does not lessen the fact that there is one; and as a sign 
that it is a country where justice is administered I sent such a flag 
thither. Now as to Fort Orange, this was kept from the beginning 
as a trading place, the fortifications having served no other pur- 
pose than to secure the people and the goods against attacks of the 
savages, and that it is still kept as such by your honor I can see 
from your honor's letters. The person who holds the highest office 
there has never had any other rank than that of comniis, without 
power, so far as my knowledge goes, to administer justice and 
execute sentence among his men, and even if he had full power to 

• inde compaignie; evidently a mistake either for inde colonic, in the colony, or for 
inde dirtist vande compaignie, in the service of the Company. The first reading seems 
to make the better sense here. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 475 

exercise high jurisdiction, could not the baliff of Amsterdam 10 at 
the limit of his jurisdiction, which is close to the gates of Amster- 
dam, hoist a flag of jurisdiction without infringing on the high 
jurisdiction of the city? 

Have I not a certificate under the seal of the Company of my 
registration of the colony with the Chamber of Amsterdam on No- 
vember 19, 1629, which reads as follows : " Kiliden van Rensselaer 
declares himself from now on as patroon on the North River of 
New Netherland, extending above and below Fort Orange on both 
sides of the river, with the islands situate therein, so many leagues 
downwards as has been fixed by the Assembly of the XIX, intend- 
ing to send a colony thither by the first opportunity on the condi- 
tions framed by the aforesaid Assembly of the XIX"? Examine 
in connection herewith the deed of conveyance to me executed 
before the director and council under date of August 8, 1630, 11 of 
which a copy is undoubtedly in your honor's custody, whereby the 
high jurisdiction of the owners and their chiefs is transferred to 
me. Add to that the 5th and 6th articles of the Freedoms of New 
Netherland, which are equally as effective and binding as the rights 
which the Company holds of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
General. These pregnant reasons have induced their High Mighti- 
nesses to acknowledge me as patroon and to style me such in formal 
communications, 12 as likewise his Highness the Prince of Orange 
has acknowledged me as such in his decision 13 in the matter of 
Cornells van Vorst. It would not be necessary to relate this to 
your honor at such length, except to prevent the rise of misunder- 
standing through ignorance of the circumstances and because I 
do not wish to get into conflict with the Company, as happened with 
the colony of Pavonia ; and in order that everything might be duly 
considered I could not refrain from informing your honor of it, the 
more so as your honor writes that it seems that the Company has no 
subjects but [only] partners. If they pleased or should still please 
to take partners, who would prevent them? But then I ask whether 
they are partners who pay duty? And whether the inhabitants of 
this county cease to be the subjects of the High and Mighty Lords 



10 This should be: bailiff of Amstelland. The patroon draws a parallel between the 
situation of Fort Orange in the colony of Rensselaerswyck and that of the city of 
Amsterdam in the bailiwick of Amstelland, each being within the geographical limits of 
the larger district but outside of its jurisdiction. 

11 This document is recorded in Dutch Patents, GG, p. 4, where the date is given as 
the 6th. Compare also J. G. Wilson, Memorial History of the City of New York, 
vol. 1, facsimile facing p. 162. 

11 by expresse missiven. 
u bij acte van Renvoy. 



476 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the States General, though the provinces and the cities retain their 
high authority and jurisdictions? The form of government of our 
fatherland interprets the work itself. 

As to the contracts which I have made with my people, they do 
not infringe on the right to hear cases on appeal, 14 for a judge is 
not appointed to seek cases but [to act] in case of need when 
parties can not agree, and I take it that if all contracting parties 
in Amsterdam could settle their disputes and differences by submit- 
ting them to arbitrators, the schepens would not take it ill but 
approve of it ; also that the members of the Supreme Court of Hol- 
land would not take it ill if parties having some dispute should by 
agreement exclude the Court and not appeal to it. The contracts 
with my servants, therefore, are but agreements [to the same 
effect] and not in any way restrictions on the appeal to the director 
and council of the Company; and this for the reason that, since I 
must furnish all my people not only with houses but also with ani- 
mals and land, I should not like to have them waste their money 
and time checkmating one another with pleadings, for which I 
should have to pay the bills on both sides. These contracts 
are also not permanent but made for a certain number of years. 
When the people are their own masters and have their own money 
and property, let them plead and appeal all they please, but I will 
not allow my servants to do so. I am not aware either that the 
freemen of the colony are included in this agreement. Therefore, 
Sir, interpret my affairs in the most favorable manner according 
to the spirit of love and I think that your honor will be completely 
satisfied about my actions. Should I, however, make a mistake 
somewhere, I shall set everything right on being properly informed. 
This much as to Lucifer's question. 15 I shall now set myself to 
answering your honor's favors of the 30th of September 1639 and 
the last of March 1640, but especially to thank your honor for the 
good disposition and kindness, duty and diligence, shown in that 
of the 10th of April, wherein you report the good condition of my 
colony, about which such bad rumors were circulated, as well as 
that your honor on the 15th of March sent a shallop with goods 
to the colony and that on its return you would send the rest thither 
also. Indeed, T have reason to be thankful and I should like to 
know how I can repay you for everything, for if your honor had 
refused me this favor I should have had to employ others of lesser 



14 deroRcroi hct wesen ran appcl niet; literally, <lo not injure the system of appeal. 

15 luci fors questie; that is, strife occasioned by pride, rivalry and jealousy. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 477 

rank who could not have helped me very much. Provisionally and 
as a first mark of gratitude I am satisfied to let your honor have a 
commission of one per cent on all my goods which your honor shall 
send up the river, as well as of all that they may consign from there 
to your honor to be shipped to me. It is but little at present, but 
when my colony increases it may get larger, and as long as I have 
no special person or house at the Manhatans, I can not find any one 
more suitable than your honor. In case you should please to accept 
this offer, it will not be in the least prejudicial to the Company but 
in every way advantageous that I consign my goods to their 
director, who has taken the oath of fidelity to them, so that they 
need not fear the least smuggling on my part. As to the ship's 
freight charges expressed in the Freedoms, I do not care to press the 
question very hard as to whether the goods ought not to be de- 
livered in the colony for them, but 1 do not see any reason which 
would preclude this altogether, the less so, as the Company has 
canceled the boat charges for my horses which were inserted in 
your honor's account (but not crossed out) ; and in order to ac- 
commodate each other in every way, so that the Company may 
not suffer the least loss on my account, I would request that the 
shallops which take my goods up the river might be used to bring 
down again grain or skins, if there is any opportunity, in order to 
make the expense on both sides as little as possible, and in case 
your honor should please to accommodate me with this commission, 
you could advise my people when they should send their skins and 
other goods down to your honor so as to ship them to me at the 
first opportunity. Your honor could then assist A rent Van Coder 
in the carrying out of my ordinance that no one is to send any 
goods out of the colony without having duly entered them, and as 
I claim with justice the right of preemption of my people's half 
of the grain and of the animals, I would order that all the grain, 
with the exception of the tenths intended for the support of religion, 
administration and other purposes, be delivered to my provisional 
commis, Arent van corler, who could then send it to your honor to 
sell to the best advantage. 

Provisionally, I am content to carry out whatever decision the 
director and council may make in the dispute between myself and 
my farmers, without prejudice to the rights involved. Our dispute 
consists as far as I can see in that they concede that I have the 
right of preemption but claim that de facto I should pay them, in 
this country or there, their half at 10 guilders a muddle^ which is in 
many respects unreasonable; for 10 guilders in money here is 



47§ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

better than 10 guilders there; also, the money for the wheat fur- 
nished in 1638 I did not receive here from the Company till the 
year 1640, as appears from the accompanying papers, and all pre- 
vious deliveries of grain are extinguished by goods and provisions 
furnished to my people without specification as to who received 
them, as also appears from the accompanying papers; aside 
from this, the freight charges, salaries of my agents and other 
expenses must be paid out of that also; and further than all that, 
I claim not the mere right of preemption but preemption at the 
price at which the first and earliest farmers were obliged to furnish 
wheat to the Company, namely at six guilders a mudde. Against 
this, they allege that in the contract with Gerrit de Reus grain is 
not specified but only animals; in reply to which I did not merely 
afterwards and at the present time declare that this was but a slip 
of the pen and that Gerrit de Reux would not have made any ob- 
jection if the contract had read grain and animals, instead of ani- 
mals, but sustained such [contention] long ago, already during the 
lifetime of Gerrit de Reux deceased, and I also received a written 
answer which does not dispute the preemption but says that six 
guilders a mudde is too little. These later colonists can not have 
better terms than Gent de Reux himself, especially those who have 
no other lease than my declaration, like Maurits Janssen, Adriaen 
van barsingerhorn and others whose first years have expired or 
will soon expire. I have however waived a good many of my rights 
which they agreed to observe, namely that they bound themselves 
not to barter, buy or accept as presents any furs without the con- 
sent of the Company and without my consent; this was the tie by 
which I held Gerrit de Reux~ and by which I can still hold them 
all, for they are dependent not only on the throwing open of the 
trade by the Company but also on the promise to and contract made 
with me. If they say that according to its strict letter grain is not 
mentioned in the contract, I reply that the prohibition of the fur 
trade is expressly stated therein in strict terms and on forfeiture 
of everything. And to find a middle way I have not declared that 
I will pay them only six guilders a mudde, except for the present, 
for if they do the right thing by me and pay me half of the profit 
on the fur, which [share] is also for me to accept or to reject, and 
honestly fulfil their contract, I will also deal honestly with them 
and not bind myself by the six guilders but according to their indus- 
try and fidelity pay them the highest price. Truly, if a master who 
is Ear from his property could not slop there, I do not know 
whether he had not better be a servant than master, and hereafter 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 479 

leave such men at home or rather lease the farms to the highest 
bidder, which every one will have to expect next when his lease 
expires, for according to reports they cheat me in every way and 
hardly a vessel comes down that does not contain some smuggled 
grain, whereas it is my wish that everything be delivered to my 
commis and that this be then consigned to your honor for the pur- 
pose of supplying the Company first with as much as it may need 
and then of selling the rest to the best advantage, especially as your 
honor writes that the English themselves will let us have furs 
for wheat so that it is in every way necessary that the grain of the 
colony remain in one hand to avoid cheating and underselling. 
If any one then should fail to do his duty, I am willing, while re- 
serving my half, to have the other half, belonging to those who act 
contrary to my order in shipping grain, confiscated and hope that 
it may be divided among your honor, the fiscal, the informer and 
the process server 10 as your honor shall see fit, and this till the 
time that they give me other satisfaction. I should write about this 
to the fiscal himself also but prefer to confine myself to the head. 
Your honor will therefore communicate it yourself to the fiscal, 
and in order that your honor may have less trouble I send here- 
with an extract from the terms expressly stipulated by me, though 
the patroon has power of his own and in his own right to make 
ordinances against all frauds. In this connection high jurisdiction 
is quite useful to the patroon, for those who have middle and low 
jurisdiction are not allowed to confiscate, but the high jurisdiction 
of the patroon must not be opposed to the Company, as little as the 
high jurisdiction of the Company must be placed in opposition to 
the High and Mighty Lords the States General, but every one 
[acting] in his own sphere, one having proceeded out of the other, 
in such way however that each one may and must preserve with a 
good conscience the jurisdiction which has been ceded him. Which 
being duly observed on all sides, the higher not hurting the lower 
and the lower not offending or defrauding the higher, the state oi 
New Netherland would be in a happy condition. 

Coming now to my private business, it has so happened that I have 
an old and long account with the Company from the year 1630 to 
the departure of Director van Tiviller, and also the accounts during 
the time of your administration sent to me and to the Company. 
I had several conferences with the lords commissioners of New 
Netherland and at last, on ratification by the full Assembly on the 
17th of March 1640, got things so tar as the two enclosed resolu- 

14 exploicteur. 



480 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



tions drawn up by me show, the originals of which I gave Bcllc- 
chere to keep. Report having been made thereof in the Assembly, 
the same, on the 19th ditto, was pleased to approve them in full, 
as will appear from the enclosed extract of its resolutions, which 
though differing in their original form somewhat from the enclosed 
copies were finally completely approved as drafted by me. I doubt 
not but the Company will send your honor copies of them also, as 
for greater security I do herewith too. And as several things 
which needed further proof have not been settled, namely the first 
number of schepels of wheat entered on my accounts by Jacob 
planck and amounting to 853 schepels, while in your honor's ac- 
count I find only 630, I enclose a letter from Jacob planck which will 
show your honor how the mistake occurred. Planck thinks that the 
mistake is in the wheat which was furnished to Croll for baking and 
delivered on the loft. Please to straighten this out for me, as I have 
already waited so long for my money. The other schepels I consider 
also to be beyond dispute, as your honor's accounts stop on the 
20th of May and the later consignments will follow in my next 
account ; herewith, by way of memorandum, that I have not settled 
further with the Company. 

Coming now to the question of private persons who have had 
goods from the commisen of the Company, since the Company 
has conceded to me that no private persons may have anything 
charged or credited to my account but that this must be done upon 
order of those who have been so empowered, and since I find in 
your honor's account : 
1639 

To provisions from Eslandt f 42 7 

To ditto for Cornell's theunissen fii2 13 
To arent van Corl'er for 2 lb gun- 
powder 
To merchandise from Wybrant pie 

ters for comclis Theunissen i 47 2 

To ditto for Planck received 1038 f 20 4 
To Lubbert gysbertssen van Blari- 

citm f 165 9 10 

To provisions from Elslandt for 

brant Peelen 
To provisions to Elslandt 
To carpenter's tools for comclis 
Theunissen 
do To 5 yards of canvas at 14 st a yard 



I January 

do 

do 

do 

do 
do 

1 September 

do 
do 



25 


1 


97 




14 


7 


3 


10 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 481 

Your honor will in the future please see to this and tell and 
warn all your honor's commisen that they must give nothing on 
credit to any of my people personally but must refer them to Areni 
van coder, who provisionally holds the office of commis, to whom 
they can state what they want and who can then, not every time in 
small quantities but when it is worth while, request of your honor 
as head of the Company whatever he may need for himself and his 
people, turning over to your honor a detailed list signed by him, 
Corlcr, and by pieter cornclisscu and comelis Thcunissen as his 
assistants. If your honor will then please cause your commisen to 
send as much as they can spare to said corlcr, who will distribute it 
to the people and charge each one with the amount which he has 
had, your honor will have much less trouble and I much more cer- 
tainty that everything has been duly recorded, for many of the 
above items may be unknown to Arent van corlcr, and if I pay them 
here to the Company I may lose them altogether in two ways, first 
because Arent may be unaware of them, and secondly because even 
if he had been notified of them the people might not have so much 
due to them from me, as I mean to give no goods or provisions 
on credit to any one but those to whom I owe something. Please 
therefore, Sir, settle the account of the above items with areni 
and let him give your honor a receipt or discharge for the quanti- 
ties which he takes, with specification of the goods and the persons; 
whereupon, if you send these to the Company I will pay them the 
said items, but unless that is done the Company itself will have 
to seek the people to whom their honors gave credit and force them 
to pay by legal proceedings, among them those whom they may have 
given credit on the 2000 put down in one item, as otherwise these 
people could ruin me ; in the future I do not intend to let any pri- 
vate person have anything on credit, of which in all friendship I 
give warning to the lords directors by memorial and to your honor 
by sending you herewith a copy of the same; and as to what has 
passed, I hope that with Arent J 'an Corlcr your honor will find 
means whereby the Company may be paid for the aforesaid items 
and I through the crediting of the same may not suffer loss. How- 
ever this rule can stand this exception, that when my people come 
from the fatherland to go to the colony, some provisions may be 
furnished them on my account till they get to the colony, provided 
that Arent is advised to enter them on their account and that no 
goods are lent to them, while those who wish to go from the colony 
to the fatherland must defray their own expenses. Now concerning 

31 



4^2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the money for board during the passage of Clacs Jansscn Ruijter 16 * 
and his wife, amounting to f 133 114, let him pay this to the Company 
or bring proof that he paid it to the commis in the colony, other- 
wise tell him that he must go to the colony and work off the amount, 
as is indicated in my aforesaid memorial. And as to Jan Willems- 
sen cuijpcr, 1 ' if the Company desires to keep him, I shall this time 
accommodate them, but Jan Willemssen will have to provide the 
money for his board himself or the Company may debit him with it 
like others ; the lords directors likewise promised me by word of 
mouth to write your honor that they would do for my people whom 
I sent over and am sending over now as for others, granting them 
free passage. But although this would have to be done out of 
kindness of their honors and I can not constrain them to do so, 
it is very improper to charge my people that came over on den 
harinck more than 6 st a day according to the first article of the 
Freedoms also mentioned in my memorial. Mr de Raadt promised 
me in the presence of Messrs Berck and harinck hocck, and also of 
Director Twitter, that the}- would do with my people who go over 
now as with the others, and as they may have forgotten to write 
this to your honor, please take this by way of notification and 
(freely quoting the above) remind the directors of it in reply to this, 
for I think that my farming people will, in proportion man for 
man, grow more grain than any others and thus help to make the 
country rich in grain so as in time to nourish Brazil and bring home 
sugar in return for meal sent there ; then New Netherland would 
flourish. I also kindly request you, Sir, in future to help me main- 
tain the 19th article of the Freedoms concerning the discharge of 
my people and to see to it that no one is dismissed before his time 
without my consent (except such as go astray, who should be 
sent out of the colony or banished as useless members) which the 
directors have also granted me according to my memorial. 

When these things shall be thus reformed and if your honor 
will please to accept my above proposition regarding the shipment of 
my goods, I shall be a great deal more at ease than I have been thus 
far. It will not lessen the respect for your honor either but cause 
all my people to stand more in awe of you. Now as to the grain 
which my commis will deliver to your honor for the account of the 
Company, therefrom must be deducted such goods and provisions 
as in return will be furnished to my commis for my people, and the 



•*■ Same as Clacs Jansz van Nacrdcn. His wife was Pictertie Jans. 
17 Jan Willemssen, the coopsr. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 483 

rest must each time be settled and paid in beaver skins at £4 ^2 a 
lb in conformity with the resolution of the director and council 
dated September 11, 1637, which being also contained in my me- 
morial drawn up in the presence of the lords commissioners and de- 
posited with bcllcchicr, has been approved and granted by the others. 
And thereby, Sir, we shall right along have a fixed basis for set- 
tling our accounts and if your honor help my cousin Arent a little 
you will back up the chief administration of my colony sufficiently 
that for some time I shall have no need of such learned people and 
be able provisionally to get along with Arent, who I fear is not too 
accurate in his bookkeeping but whom your honor with a little in- 
struction could make efficient, for which service or other I shall not 
fail to compensate your honor. And inasmuch as the Company au- 
thorizes your honor by letter, according to the enclosed extract, to 
settle all things in that country without referring them to the Com- 
pany, your honor can by corresponding with me instead of with my 
people settle things to our mutual satisfaction in accordance with 
the papers sent, in which all things are set forth and decided. I 
may conclude by saying that [if] Arent is too weak in carrying 
plans through, he will give the greater contentment to your honor, 
who in many things can be of assistance to me and set me right. 

Enclosed is the invoice of the goods which go in this ship, being 
8 items distinguished by figures and 16 items by letters from No. A to 
No. P, also 7 items which lie loose in the ship, amounting to f5in : 
15. Also the roll of my people, consisting together, old and young, 
of 13 persons. I kindly request that no one be exchanged for \\c\y 
one else and no one detained, but that the people and the goods at 
the earliest opportunity be sent to the colony, thanking your honor 
very much for the expeditious way in which my horses were sent 
to the colony two years ago. I am exceedingly sorry that Rroer 
Cornelissen so deceived our honor in the furnishing of grain; it 
must be that they themselves have not much to spare or that they 
carry it off secretly, in which case it is necessary to catch the cheats. 
I hope that from now on conditions will improve and that greater 
quantities will be delivered, as I shall otherwise fare badly. 

I can not get over my surprise as to the changes which are said 
to have occurred in the fur trade at Fort Orange, whence for at 
least 15 years in succession yearly 5000 or 6000 skins have come. 
There is no lack of furs, therefore there must be a lack of merchan- 
dise or the trouble must be that Crol holds the merchandise too 
high and that the English on the Fresh River, by corresponding with 



484 NEW YORK STATIC LIBRARY 

the Mohicans lying about two leagues below Fort Orange and 
through these in turn with the macquaas, draw everything away 
from us over land. That my people spoiled the fur trade can not 
by any means be true ; they may have outbid and brought about 
the high prices of the skins, but such outbidding does not divert 
the fur trade, but causes a greater supply. Now, as far as I can 
see, the trouble is not with the price of the skins but with the quan- 
tity, which is a great paradox to me that I can not understand ; 
for according to what I hear Croll has few skins and also little 
merchandise, which conflicts directly and diametrically with the 
outbidding which my people may be guilty of, for as a result of 
that there ought to have come more skins than before. It may be 
perhaps that Croll has placed the prices of skins so low for the 
magnaas 18 that it drove them away and diverted the trade. If that 
is so he will get great thanks from his masters and have done the 
Company good service. 

The sister of Gcrrit de Reu.v has been here bothering me a num- 
ber of times. Please to further her business as quickly as possible ; 
even if it can not be brought to a final settlement let it be brought 
to it as closely as possible. 

The victory at the Downs 19 is bloody, but the victory for the 
Company in Brazil 20 has been miraculous. Today comes the news 
that Admirals UchtHart and houttcbccn 21 accidentally met the re- 
mainder of the fleet and completely destroyed it. What the Prince 
of Orange will do in Flanders remains to be seen, the commence- 
ments, etc. 

P. S. 22 Mr Kicft. This is the true account of the purchase of my 
goods, on which according to the 10th article of the Freedoms I am 
obliged to pay 5$ for freight, and though the farm implements are 
free I make it 5$ throughout, amounting to f25o. The bills of 
lading of the Company are drawn in the usual way so as not to 
establish a bad precedent for others, but I do not owe more. 

Arent van Curler is ordered to pay to the honorable director 
genera] Willem Kijeft in grain or other articles the sum of two 

18 So in Letter Book ; intended for Maquaas. 

19 Battle of the Downs, Oct. 21, 1639, when Tromp defeated the Spaniards under 
Admiral d'Oquendo. 

-° Battle near the coast of Parahiba, Tan. 12-14, '7. 1(> t°, in which the Dutch with 
41 vessels under Admiral Willem Cornelisz Loos and Vice Admiral Jacob Huygen 
succeeded in defeating the Spanish-Portuguese fleet of 86 sail under Count da Torre. 
21 Ki ornelisz Jol, nicknamed rloutebeen; literally. Wooden Le| 

-- The following postcripts arc in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 485 

hundred and fifty guilders for freight of the above-mentioned 
goods, which with the receipt to be sent to me will be his warrant 
for payment, this 30th of May 1640. 

Mr Kijeft. The wind is beginning to blow, the skipper left long 
ago and I fear that 1 shall not have time to write to arent van Cur- 
ler or to any one of my people. As I have not received letters from 
them either, oblige me in addition to so many other services for 
which I am obliged to your honor, by giving arent van Curler an 
extract from your honor's letter so far as it in any way concerns 
him and is to my advantage and guide him a little; I promise your 
honor I shall not forget it. Also send him the enclosed package 
containing nothing but the invoice of my goods with several letters 
from private persons. If I have time I shall still write to him and 
others. Vale, 30 May 1640. 

The following papers sent to Arendt van Curler: 

3 extracts from the negotiations between the commissioners 
and myself and the approval of the Assembly 

— invoice of the goods sent in the ship den waterhont, amount- 

ing to 151 1 1 115 

— list of the people who go over 

— payments to the said people and other items 

— account of the sale .of the tobacco of albert and arent 

andriesen 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler-'" 

May 30, 1640 

Arent J 'an Curler, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

30 May 1640 
Worthy, affectionate cousin : As I received neither goods nor 
letter from you by the lately arrived ship den Engel Gabriel, I am 
much surprised that you let pass the opportunity of den harinck 
because of talk of the ship den Dolfyn. which was to follow soon. 
The letters sent by the ship de Lieffde I did not get, as the ship was 
taken by the Dunkirkers, so that for the present T get neither ac- 
counts nor returns, just as if all the goods which I sent thither were 
confiscated. T wrote yon that if the task should prove too- heavy 



■ V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.u.d>. On f. 126 of the Letter Book, the clerk once 
more wrote the heading and first words of this letter, then canceled the date, writing 
" should be June 16, 1640." This date probably refers to the instructions to van 
Curler, which instead of being given in this place were copied into the section of the 
Letter Book, f. 163—71, containing papers of that character. 



486 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

for you yon should warn me in time and you must not let any oppor- 
tunities go by in the hope of later ones. You could also have sent 
me a copy of the letter sent by de Lieffde. You look for the hen's 
egg and you let go the goose's egg. I hear that you spend too 
much time in the woods, that ought not to be ; you must stick to 
writing and never again neglect to copy your papers and accounts 
but always have some ready to send when there is an opportunity. 
This time I can overlook it because the ship den Engel Gabriel left 
so soon, but let no opportunity pass without sending me copies of 
all your books and papers and accounts of all the people. 

I have not time to reply fully to yours of the 23d of August 
1639, as all the other papers have gone and as I have written at 
great length to Director Kieft to instruct you a little and to com- 
municate to you the documents which I send him. Let me know 
privately how he acts toward you. I have addressed to you the 
invoice of the goods which go over now, amounting to f5in :iS- If 
I have time I shall enclose another copy of it herewith. As you have 
now so much merchandise, try to buy skins to the best advantage 
and as soon as you have a reasonable amount send them down at 
once to Mr Kieft, that he may send them to me at the first oppor- 
tunity; however, pack them, mark them and store them well that 
they be not exchanged and make every effort to send a good sup- 
ply of skins by this ship. Enclosed is a bill of lading of the skipper; 
do not show this if it is not necessary for I have given Mr Kieft an 
order on you for f25o to pay for the freight. Now if he should 
have further advice from the Company about i6ij, as this bill of 
lading shows, give him only f25o according to the Freedoms, and 
appeal to me, stating that if I owe it I will pay it here to the Com- 
pany. I have made an agreement with the Company concerning the 
old accounts and sent the papers to Kieft, who will no doubt hand 
them to you. They refer to many matters for which you have to 
look out, especially the 19th article of the Freedoms, to let no one 
leave my service before lie has completed his time and paid his debt, 
for I reserve that power to myself; secondly, that no one have 
charged to my account anything gotten from the Company for his 
own use, but pay for it himself. When they need anything, let them 
notify yon and you can then ask it of the Company and distribute it 
among those who have a credit balance with us, but be careful that 
you lend to no one whom we do not owe and Ao not let them deceive 
you. Keep Jelian barip* with you when he has no carpentering to 



24 Jean I.abatie. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 487 

do. You need not ask such things of the council, for I see that 
the council instead of being my council is their own council. If 
they act that way I shall appoint others. I am surprised that they 
dare call themselves an [independent] community, 25 as they are 
altogether my servants and subjects and every one promised to 
subject himself willingly to the laws and ordinances which I had 
made and might make. If they rise against me, they will ride an 
easy horse. What reason have niaurits 2 ^ and Ariacn-' to join the 
others? If they do not want to accept the promotion which I offer 
them, they may leave it and serve me as many years and for such 
wages as I have engage! them and they are bound to serve me. 
It seems that they want me to trust them and that they do not want 
to trust me. I wrote to Mr kicft to please to support my ordinance 
concerning the shipping of goods from the colony and to confiscate 
all grain and furs sent by any one which are not entered according 
to the aforesaid ordinance at the manhatans, with reservation of my 
half. I see tbat these insolent people who hold everything that they 
have from me would like to defy me, so that I prefer to have these 
fellows far off rather than near by. I have also explained to Kicft 
the provisional valuation of the grain at f6, stating that it is not my 
intention to keep it at that figure (though if it came to the worst, I 
could claim the right) but that this is done only provisionally to see 
how they will treat me. I want them to trust me or I will not trust 
them in the least, and in case any one should be refractory, the com- 
mander of the militia, 28 who now goes to the Manhatans with a 
good many soldiers, has offered to assist me if need be with a suffi- 
cient unmber against any one of my people who should be refrac- 
tory. I write this also to Mr Kycft in case you should ask him for 
such assistance. I do not wish to injure any one but neither do I 
want to be injured. I write to Mr Kicft that, saving my rights in 
the matter, I am satisfied to submit the differences between me and 
my farmers to the arbitration of the director and council of New 
Netherland, to show that I do not wish to injure them ; but if they 
mean to threaten me by refusing flatly to accept my terms, I shall 
with God's help prevent this and in due time know how to find the 
bellwethers. They ought to be ashamed to refuse me yearly the f 16 
of which I must pay half. It would cost them a great deal more 
if they had to look out for that themselves. Distribute the men 



-■"■ verwonder mij <lat sy haer een gemeynte derven noemen. 
2,1 Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen. 

27 Adriaen Cornelisz van Barsingerhorn. 

28 Hendrick van Dyck. 



4^8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

who go over now properly among- those who behave most honestly 
and decently toward me and who are most faithful to me. You 
will do this with the advice of dirrick Cornelissen 29 and Cornells 
Theunissen and no one else shall have anything to say about it. I 
will teach the peasant councilors to mutiny against their lord. You 
will do the same with respect to the distribution of the supplies, 
advising only with the two above-named persons; and if broer 
Cornells mutinies too, he may see what he can gain thereby, for if 
I notice that he encourages others you will pass him by and advise 
with pictcr Cornelisz only. I can not find out what service Cornells 
Theunissen has rendered me in his capacity of my representative. 
If, because he is a farmer, he should side with the others, he would 
be of no use to me and it would be a lesson to me not to grant any 
of my officers or coiunusen any farms, for instead of looking out 
for me they would look out for themselves. Tell Cornells Theunis- 
sen to write me some time what he has done for me. If you do not 
know better, he ought to know better than to let you be put off 
with such a poor answer from the farmers in common ; you should 
have asked each one individually and one by one what his inten- 
tions with regard to the patroon were and have asked them this in 
the presence of P r . eornelisseu and broer cornellsen, or else have 
had them sign their answers with their own hands. If they want to 
submit the matter to the director and council of New Netherland, I 
am satisfied to do so for the present ; the letter to Klefft contains my 
reasons. 

As to the new farmers or those whose lease has expired, I do not 
want to let any one have a farm except on the terms of the permit 
to Maurits Janssen 30 and of the contracts of Cornells moesen and 
Symon wallchsen 31 even if I should not rent a single one, for I 
do not want to be defied by them whom I have made men. You 
will tell this freely to every one individually. The uncle of Maurits 
is here now ; I have complained to him that maurits, who really has 
no reason to do so and who should favor me so that I might treat 
him better, sides with the others who arc of no concern to him. 
He therefore writes him the enclosed letter; greet him from me 
and. tell him that I had nut expected such an answer from him; 
that every one will hereafter think that he is master and can do as 
he pleases is wrong; they must follow my instructions and not I 

20 Should be Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam. 
•"Dated May 12, 1639; printed on p. 437-38. 

"' Dated August 15, 1636; see p. 401. These contracts are not among the van 
Rensselaer Bowier Mss. Cornells Moesen is intended for Cornells Macscn. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 489 

theirs. I shall not do them any harm for I am far enough from 
them and from my property. 

Crijn comelissen 32 goes over now. I have granted him a farm 
on the above conditions ; he had most of the trouble in engaging 
the men and should be allowed to pick out the best of them. How- 
ever, let him sign the agreement of mauritz, as I have not time to 
write out his agreement. Send me without fail some barrels of the 
crystal found in the hill of michiel janss. Have the expense of 
digging it noted down, I can see then whether there is any money 
in it or not, for it is of little importance; yet if it is large, white and 
clear, it is worth something. But send me good and bad as it comes 
and let no one pick out the best pieces and hold them back. It 
would be best if Michiel did it himself and got some profit from it 
too; I think he is one of the most upright farmers in the colony, 
and when there is an opportunity I shall have an eye to his advantage 
also. He writes most politely of all ; let him do what is right and 
he will be treated well by me. All these quarrels originated with 
Gerrit de Reux deceased, who made the people believe whatever 
he saw fit. I would write to him 33 and to others but the time has 
gone by. Give />''. Comelissen my compliments and tell him that I 
expect his final account; I shall then have the more confidence in 
him. Let him make protest against those who will not pay him the 
tithes and if they will not pay them from what belongs to us in 
common, let them pay them provisionally from my share, for I 
desire by all means to have the right of the tithes for the future 
support of religion, the officers and other charges of the colony. 
It is childish to think of a minister going from here to be paid by 
the inhabitants individually. He, who is a servant of Jesus Christ, 
would then have to become a servant of the people, and when it 
came into the farmers' heads they would give nothing at all. Truly 
such ministers can not be found. 34 It seems to me that it would 
be a good plan if Cryn comelissen established a farm on the West 
Island where brant peelcn lives, as I am quite determined that there 
shall be two farms on that island, one to be called Rensselaers 
burghte and the other IVelys burgh. 



3 - See note on p. 438. 

** To Michiel Jansz. 

84 See note to next document. 



49° NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Order of Wouter van Twiller to Aert Willemsz 35 

May 30, 1640 

Aert IVillcmssen, foreman 

On receipt of this, deliver from among the animals which are on 
my farm and in your keeping to Cryn cornelissen van houten, for 
the account of the colony called Rensselaerswyck, two milch cows, 
now three years old, to be drawn by lot from the three which are 
on the farm, also two heifer calves born this year; and although this 
memorandum contradicts my letter, you are to comply with this last 
order and do right. Done at Amsterdam, this thirtieth of May 
1640. 

Instructions to Arent van Curler as secretary and bookkeeper 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 3 ' 3 

June 16, 1640 

Arundtt Van Curler, secretary and bookkeeper of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, is hereby provisionally and till further orders 
authorized, with the advice of pietcr Cornelisscn van niuuuckcndam, 
receiver of tithes and supercargo of the vessel, and also with the 
advice of Cornelis Theunisscn van Brcuckelcn, provided he uncon- 
ditionally accepts and consents to further this matter, and if he is 
not willing to do so then in his place mauris jansen van Brocck- 
huysen, and on his refusal Brandt pelen vander nykcrck, and if he 
also objects Cornells niasen van Buyrnialsen, and on his refusal 
michiel jansc van Schrabbekercke, and if they all refuse with pie- 
tcr Cornelisscn alone, subject to ratification by the patroon, to pro- 
vide other farmers for the farms on which the farmers refuse 
to accept without change the conditions of maurits jansen van 
Brocckhuysen. The patroon exempts herefrom, however, the two 
oldest farmers, namely Brandt pclen and Cornelis Theunisen afore- 
said, not because he grants their argument, but taking that for 



30 V. R. B.Mss, Letter Hook, f.i66b. Mentioned in letter of Kiliaen van Rensselaer 
to Arent van Curler. July z, [640; see p. 51,?. At the tup of f.126 of the Letter Book, 
after the wort's " such ministers can not be found," of t lie preceding letter to van Curler, 
were written, and then canceled, the following: " Aert wallcncssen, foreman. On 

receipt of this, deliver from among the animals which are on my ." It is clear 

that when the clerk found himself copying this order among the letters he stopped 
abruptly and turned to the section of the Letter Book, f. 163-71, containing orders and 
similar papers. The form of the name seems to be a mere copyist's error. 

»K. JR. B. Mss, Letter Booh, f . 1 66b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 491 

what it is worth, mainly because at the time when they took posses- 
sion of their farms, they had not yet signed the pledge to submit 
themselves freely and to obey his laws and ordinances ; this exemp- 
tion to last till the expiration of their first lease, and no longer. As 
to the farmers who followed later, since the patroon noticed that 
Gerret de reux, deceased, took the liberty to construe the contract 
made with his master to his own advantage by strictly adhering to 
the letter of the text in which by mistake a word had been left out, 
by changing dates and by passing by and rejecting other clauses 
by which he was strictly bound, the patroon wishing to prevent 
such things in the future, ordered his officer Iacob planck on the 
one hand to inform him of the impertinences of the said de rcux 
and on the other hand, in order to avoid all contradictions, ex- 
ceptions and obscurities, to be strict in obliging all future farmers 
to submit themselves to his rules and ordinances and to obey him 
as their said lord and master, which [obligation] began with the 
arrival of Cornells ma e sen and Symon walichs agreeable to their 
contracts dated the 15th of August 1636 in Amsterdam and has 
continued thus till recently. In order not to have his rights dis- 
puted, the patroon at present and for the future intends to accept 
no one for his colony except "upon said pledge. Meanwhile noticing 
that several people seek, not the patroon's advantage but their own, 
he has been obliged further to declare his honest and sincere inten- 
tion regarding those who will serve faithfully and justly as appears 
by the permit to maurits jansz and adriaen Cornelissen aforesaid 
under date of the 12th of May 1639. Fully trusting that at least 
those who had made all their profits on, from and by means of his 
goods would have helped him in his good intentions and conducted 
themselves most properly, he has learned on the contrary that, not- 
withstanding the farmers are not on an equal basis with one another 
but are divided into three groups, namely those who came first, those 
who came later and those who came last, they have nevertheless all 
together like one man plotted against their lord and master, just 
as if the patroon had asked of them something which it was in their 
power to refuse if they saw fit, styling themselves an [independent] 
community 37 and even offering to find means of their own choice 
for the support of religion and the payment of the ministers. And 
although the patroon would gladly excuse their ignorance in this 
matter he can not help but resent and keenly feel it, as such pre- 
tensions and rejections of the ordinances of their lord and master, 

s; haer qualificct ende eene gemeente te syn. 



49 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

especially as to his right to the tithes, are of such consequence that 
in course of time he might be deprived, not only of his revenue 
and his right ot jurisdiction, but finally even of his entire colony, 
his own grounds and lands, in the way and by such farmers as are 
spoken of in the gospel of Matthew 21 133-39, who must also ex- 
pect the consequences set forth in verses 40 and 41. Wishing now 
to make timely provision in regard to these matters, the patroon 
authorizes the aforesaid arundt van Corler and pietter Cornelissen 
aforesaid to categorically ask the aforesaid Brandt Pcclcn and 
Cornells Theunisscn separately, first one and then the other, first 
what their intentions are with regard to the first term of their 
lease; secondly, whether they are willing at the expiration of the 
said lease to ask the patroon for [a renewal on] the aforesaid 
conditions of maurits janss just as they are; and in case they refuse 
to do the latter, to cancel their lease immediately on the expiration 
of the first term, on the first of January next. But in case Cor- 
nells Theunisscn agrees to do so, he shall with pieter Cornelissen 
and arundt aforesaid be the third man to put this commission into 
effect with regard to the evil-doers; if not, such persons as were 
mentioned in the beginning. Thereafter they shall ask each one, 
man by man, namely, Cornells masen, Symon watichs, viichlcls 
jansz and Cornells dlrcxsen van vechten, whether or not they are 
willing to accept the conditions of niaurits as aforesaid, the patroon 
granting, however, that as these farms were only recently estab- 
lished they shall be free from paying tithes for the years 1640, 
1641 and 1642, each answer to be put in writing and sent to the 
patroon. Finally, they shall ask maurits jansz and adriaen Cor- 
nelissen whether or no they are willing to accept the conditions as 
they are now (provided that niaurits shall be free from paying 
tithes for the years 1640 and 1641, as his farm is somewhat lack- 
ing in equipment and adriaen Cornelissen also for the year 1642, 
since Cryn Cornelissen van houlcn, who now goes over, has already 
accepted the conditions over his signature, provided he also shall 
be exempted from the tithes for three years, till the year 1643 in- 
clusive) ; and if maurits or adriaen are at all unwilling, expressly 
tell diem in the name of their patroon that they shall not have liberty 
to leave but must serve him for the remaining years of their con- 
tract as farm hands on such farms as arundt aforesaid and his ad- 
juncts shall assign to each of them, and 'this upon such pains and 
tines as they have freely submitted themselves to by their signature. 
Now as to those who freelv submit themselves to the rule of the 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 493 

patroon or his commissioners, the patroon not only promises to 
overlook their faults and ignorance but to grant them upon their 
request such privileges as reasonable subjects might properly de- 
mand of their lord and master, always reserving his right of high 
jurisdiction, which will teach them that they can not have any 
rights, much less call themselves an [independent] community 33 
without his consent. If they desire any privileges, let them very 
discreetly ask them of their patroon, for if they fancy themselves 
too important they may commit a great crime which will then hurt 
the bellwethers most. All those who are willing to accept the 
conditions shall have contracts similar to that of maurits janss re- 
corded and sign the record, the names of those who are unwilling 
to be noted down and sent hither. And in case any farms should be 
deprived of farmers the following order shall be observed. If it 
is the farm of maurits jansen or [that of] adriaen Cornelissen, it 
shall be publicly leased or rented for three years to the" highest 
bidder for a certain sum of free money, 39 the tithes, preemption of 
grain and of the animals and 16 guilders per year for each farm 
band to be at the charge and for the benefit of the lessee, but the 
increase of the animals as usual one half for the patroon and one 
half for the lessee, oats and wheat to be bought at the price of eight 
guilders a mudde, [the lease to] commence the first of January 
next, all upon condition that the lessees may be no other than free- 
men who have a knowledge of farming and who give sufficient 
surety fur the payment of the rent and the return of everything at 
the expiration of the three years in the same condition as they found 
it. If after the expiration of the lease of Brandt peelen, his farm 
called rensselaers burch should be without a farmer, instead of 
engaging a farmer, arundt van Curler shall take this farm for him- 
self for three years on the conditions of maurits janss and shall 
keep a good foreman thereon at his own expense. Pieter Corne- 
lissen may do the same with the farm of Cornells Theunisseu, if 
upon tlie expiration of tbc first term of his lease he does not ask 
and obtain from his patroon [a renewal on] the conditions of mau- 
rits janss. And as it seems that submission to the right of collect- 
ing tithes is one of the principal objections of the farmers, though 
the patroon is not bound to give his subjects and servants any 
reasons therefor, he will nevertheless indulge their weakness and say 
that the said right is the most just, the oldest and the means ap- 

cente. 

Its vrygell. 



494 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

pointed by the Lord God himself, from which also the greatest 
blessing and protection against loss of everything, whether animals, 
fruits, crops or anything else, may be expected ; that it is used in all 
Christendom and from it no lands are free (aside from those of the 
popish clergy) but those [whose owners] have transferred this charge 
from one piece of land to another, redeemed it or bought it off; 
also, that the freemen who went to the colony in the year 1639 and 
those who go thither now in 1640, have considered it fair and just 
and freely submitted themselves to it, while at present it differs 
in effect little or not at all from the offers which some seem to make 
for the furtherance of religion unless their object be to become 
themselves paymasters of the servants of Jesus Christ and to re- 
ceive credit in proportion to their gifts. Some may also think that 
these tithes might in time amount to a great deal ; this concerns the 
owner but not those who rent his land for a certain number of 
years unless they cast envious eyes on the property of the patroon 
and his copartners. Such property can not be obtained by lease but 
by cession and sale; the patroon, however, is not averse to selling 
in course of time a few farms in perpetuity to those who shall be 
inclined and have means to take them and in this way gradually 
to form an [independent] community, 40 for tenants can not form a 
community apart from their landlord. It is also an obligation 
imposed upon the patroons by the 27th article of the Freedoms 
to endeavor to find means for the promotion of the service of Go J, 
so that by virtue of the said article, even if the land were owned by 
the farmers, the patroon would have the right and the power to 
introduce the levying of tithes for this purpose. How shamefully 
those persons act who oppose the patroon because by the conditions 
of the contracts and leases he provisionally charges his own land 
with this in order to save his inhabitants personally, bearing him- 
self one half of the expense. On the contrary, those who have a 
sound judgment and who do not let themselves be stirred up will 
find great cause for gratitude that the patroon at his own expense 
seeks to promote the service of God. And in order that no one 
may think but that what is aforewritten is the patroon's entire will, 
intention and meaning, he has besides his signature confirmed this 
with his own seal and that of the colony and ordered the secretary 
to enter the same upon the records. Done at Amsterdam this 
sixteenth of June in the year of our Saviour Jesus Christ sixteen 
hundred and forty. Was signed: kiliaen ran rensselaer, patroon of 
the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



*° eene gemeyntte oprechten. 



VAN RENSSELAER B0W1ER MANUSCRIPTS 495 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells Teunisz van Breuckelen 41 

June 23, 1640 

Cornells Teunissen Van Breuckelen, farmer in the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck 

This 25th of June 1640, in Amsterdam 
I have not received any letter from you for a long time, more 
particularly not since I sent you the commission as representative 
of the patroon and the participants, nor can I find that you have 
done me in that connection any service in defending' my rights 
against the unwilling farmers or advanced my interests in other 
ways, for instead of defending my rights — but be that as it may, 
it will show itself and I shall soon find out whether the farmers 
are my master or whether I am their master. I have signed com- 
missions for my cousin arent van Corler and pieter Cornelissen 
and also for you if you will defend my rights; if not, some one 
else must do it. You can read the commission and then make 
your statement. I hear and see by the letters of most of the farmers 
that they object greatly to the conditions of Mauris Janseu. Who 
does not want to accept them as they are, need not. I can easily 
find masters enough if I can get servants enough, even if I have 
to send them from here. I am no child and know very well what 
profit the farmers can make, but if they think that they can become 
rich in a few years, they will find themselves mistaken. I, who 
have paid all the expenses and still daily pay them, must have the 
better part. I shall not dispute with you long, the four years of 
your lease will end on the first of January 1641. If you please to 
accept the conditions of mauris as they are, in God's name I shall 
extend your lease on these conditions for six or for four years 
at your choice, provided that you maintain my rigtits against others 
who are unwilling, for which I shall compensate you so honestly 
that you will have reason to thank me. And if you faithfully 
accept to do this according to my commission let me know how much 
extra I should pay you yearly for this office and if you serve me 
well I shall in the future also see that you get promoted. You 
should first find out also who is most faithful toward me. I am 
far from my property and must therefore pay close attention so as 
to prevent losses. The farmers are keen in noticing that in writing 
the contract of Gcrrit de reux, I omitted to mention the preemption 
of the grain. I wrote at length to Jacob planck in the years 1635 



" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 26. 



49^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and 1636, that he must notify gerrit de rcux of it and I also spoke 
about it to Cornells mascn and Symon Walings here at Amsterdam, 
and as to yourself, I engaged you in my service at a yearly salary 
and also paid you f30 extra allowance, which the farmers do not get 
and in addition have to pay their own passage, and when you said 
that your goods had been taken, I paid you f30 more as an advance ; 
and further paid your board during the passage to the Company and 
instead of serving me so many years you have tried to establish a 
farm, promising me and making me believe by your letter of June 
26, 1636, that the house would be finished much sooner than others 
and at half the expense. Now what the truth of this matter is you 
know best yourself, aside from the fact that the first house burnt 
down and that the next one was erected not by you but by others 
at an excessive cost to me, as I wrote to Jacob planck. They 
know how to lay great stress on the words of gerrit dc rcux but 
my own words are not even taken into consideration and what 
you and others have promised me is kept only as the wind which 
blows past. What became in 1636 of your 25 or 30 morgens of 
summer and winter grain which you promised me and what has 
become of the servant whom your brother would bring with him? 
Is it not true, on the contrary, that in the year 1638 you had but 
13 morgens of winter grain and 3 morgens of summer grain? 
From the account of grain delivered it is shown how much was 
furnished by your farm but not at what great and excessive expense 
it was reerected. Where do you find in the contract which I made 
with gerrit de rcux that the lease of his land will begin in May? 
It is true the lease of the house expires in May but the use of the 
land ceases on the first of January. 42 In all these ways they try to 
deceive and cheat me and then they dare to refer to the contract of 
gerrit de rcux. Who gave you and others orders to appraise the 
grain on the field in June 1638 at £75 a morgen, chargeable to my 
account? You should have seen to it that the morgen produced 
fioo, and what has become of the grain? I see people are only 
seeking commissions and, when they have them, they do not even 
think of their master, f write this somewhat fully because it 
grieves me to see that those who should in every way further his 
interests become at once arrogant and selfish. If you want to do 
me a favor, assist my cousin arcut van corler and seek to observe 
[your duty under] my commission as much as possible and give 
me a reliable answer so that I may know how to govern myself and 
how far I can depend upon you. 



■"■' maer het lani en den • mo r o i arij uijt. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 497 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Pieter Cornelisz van Munnickendam 43 

June 25, 1640 

Pietter Cornelisen van Munnickendam, in the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck 

The 25th of June 1640 
I have received yours of the 25th of August 1639, which on 
account of the hasty departure of den waterhondt I could not 
answer, and what is more, all my other letters came too late, not- 
withstanding I handed them to the president of the Company; 
theirs, however, did not come too late. I rejoice to learn that the 
sawmill is working and, from oral accounts of others, that the 
grist-mill is also completed. There remains therefore only for you 
to send me a correct account, having the same examined and 
entered there by my cousin arent van corler as bookkeeper of the 
colony, to whom I have sent a commission which he is to execute 
with your advice and assistance and that of Cornells teunissen van 
breuckelen. However, as I am not sufficiently sure of Cornel is 
teunissen because he is himself a farmer, and may perhaps act con- 
trary to my orders instead of bringing others to reason, 44 I have 
framed the said commission as you may see for yourself. It is 
necessary that arent make a copy of it for you, for I fully intend to 
reserve to myself the right to the tithes and the shipment of the 
grain, even if I have to provide other masters for the farms, if 
they stir one another up there, or have them worked by faithful 
foremen, as rutgert hendricksen has been, who has brought me 
the greatest profit ; but after the arrival of gerrit de reus, who is 
the sole cause of this ill-will, thing- took quite a different turn. 
It is surprising that people who could get along so well should be 
so avaricious that they show themselves in every way rebellious 
and disobedient to their master who has provided them with every- 
thing at his expense. They may do as they please ; some of them 
will hud out how well it is for them to continue therein. The Com 
panv has sent a letter to their director stating that no one may 
leave the colony without my express will and consent thereto; I 
have sent a copy of it to arent van Corler. The commander 4 -"' of 
the militia who sails in den waterhondt promised to assist me with 

« I'. R. B. Mss. Letter Book, f.i:>6b. 

** en misschien om andren tet redenen te persuaderen deselve tegen my strijt. 

u Hendrick van Dyck. 



49$ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

soldiers if any one of ray people should become rebellious or tur- 
bulent, but Director kieft must always be consulted in the matter, 
as I wrote him. I shall not give them any cause, but those who 
urge and press me to it will soon find out, if not the first time 
then the next. I shall have patience but I want to remain master, 
even if I have to request the strong arm of the High and Mighty 
States General and the Prince of Orange, who will not refuse me 
the same against those who oppose me and refuse to obey my 
orders, which they promised to do over their signatures. 

Xow as to [the execution of] your provisional commission, as 
the lease of brant pclen expires next January and also that of 
Cornells teyunissen, these farmers must leave or pay tithes to you 
[beginning with] the year 1641, in conformity with the commission 
given to crant 4 ® and yourself. The farm of mauris Jansen must 
pay the tithes [beginning with] the year 1642. Cornells macscn 
and Symon wolichs ought also to pay in the year 1642, but as they 
suffered some loss last year they shall with the rest pay tithes [be- 
ginning with] the year 1642 ; 47 protest must be made against those 
who pay too little and the protest sent to me that I may take the 
necessary measures. As to. the commission concerning the vessel, 48 
I desire that everything shall be entered according to my orders 
and who neglects to do so must expect confiscation by me as well 
as by the director and the fiscal at the manhatans, whom I have 
provisionally authorized to do so till further order. I am far from 
my property and must look sharply to prevent loss. As to [myj 
paying [you] in that country, I do not know what you mean, for 
there is no money, so that it would have to be in furs or merchan- 
dise or in grain, but if you sell the boards to others you could for 
your half take such payment at the rate charged for boards which 
you furnished for my farmhouses. Does this [demand] become 
less, a plan might be adopted for selling the boards for our mutual 
profit at the manhatans, to the English or wherever else they are 
wanted most. Deal properly with me and I shall do as much for 
you. Therefore, assist my cousin arent van Corler; it will in the 
end do you no harm; meanwhile I expect your accounts and the 
reporl of your doings. 



48 Arc-in van Curler. 

47 This should probably 1>o 1643. 

** wai aengaei de commissie vant vaer fuygh. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 499 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Michiel Jansz van Scrabbekercke 49 

June 25, 1640 

Michiel Jansen van Scrabbekercke,™ in the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck 

The 25th of June 1640 
I have received your letter and can hardly understand or read 
what you mean. I see only that you seek to make a definite lease 
at a fixed sum a year, but I can not make any change till I have 
arrived at a definite understanding - with the other farmers. I can 
not conceive what they intend to do and why they should be so 
foolish as to stir one another up [to insubordination] , as you may 
see by the commission 51 to arent van Corlcr, in which I also men- 
tioned you. Because you came last I have given you this farm, but 
do right, be honest and do not let them stir you up ; I shall re- 
member you in such way that you will get along well. The f400 
a year do not come near [the real rental value ; at that rate] I 
should lose my whole [investment in the] country. You know 
what the horses, cattle, houses, barns and hay barracks cost and 
what trouble I have in having good servants hunted up. Keep on 
the side of my cousin arent van Curler. You will oblige me by 
doing right and he will in the future also remember you and pro- 
vide you before others with good servants and other necessaries. 
I can not understand what sort of people I have in the colony. 
The four of them have appraised the estate of gerrit de reux, to 
my displeasure, as follows: 31 morgens of winter grain at £75 the 
morgen, amounting to $232$, also 7 morgens of summer grain at 
f3C amounting to t'210, besides what may be expected in the way 
of butter and cows and from the fattening of hogs and the increase 
of the animals and what was. still on the field and had to run the 
risk of reaping and bear the expenses of binding and bringing 
home. Truly, they have fully opened my eyes as to what such a 



49 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, {.127b. 

r, ° Erroneously given by O'Callaghan, History of New Nethcrland, 1:43 6 > as Michiel 
Jansen van Broeckhuysen. Michiel Jansz came over with liis wife and two servants 
cm het Wapen t>an Xoorwegen, in 1638, and from 1640 to 1646 leased from the patroon 
the farm called de Hoogcberch. In 1646 he moved to New Amsterdam, where he 
attained prominence as one of the Nine Men. Dec. 14, 1646, his age is given ao 
36 years. See Macntgelt Boeck, 1638-44, f.6 and Gereclits Rolle, 1648-52, f.iob, among 
the Rznsselaerswyck Mss, and A. Y. Col. Mss, 1:34, 2: 154. Scrabbekercke is a collo- 
quial form of the name of the village of 's Hecr-Abtskerke, on the island of Zuid- 
Beveland, in the province of Zeeland. 

fx comtnissic; probably referring to the instructions of June 16. 1640; see p. 490-94. 



5O0 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

farm can produce yearly and they must have shamefully forgotten 
their lord and master, who has done so much for them, to cheat 
him so grossly ; these fellows will find that their avarice will de- 
ceive them. Read my reasons which I set forth in the letter to 
Arcnt van Corler; you will in your conscience find that all their 
doings are hut empty air and vanity. What will they say to this? 
A few days ago the Company framed new freedoms for New 
Xetherland by which the Company stipulates that all the lands 
of the patroons shall pay their tithes; however, this does not con- 
cern me, as I obtained my freedoms before, and I write it only 
to shut the mouths of such instigators who are unwilling to pay 
and to convince them of their mutiny. 51 * 

As to the crystal which you found on the hill, keep that matter 
as secret as you can and advise with arcnt van Corler about it. 
Perhaps it will be a source of profit to you if you serve me faith- 
full}-. Have some barrels of it dug, good and bad, large and small,. 
and send it to me : I shall know then what price it will bring. 
However, you must make an estimate as to the labor it takes for 
each barrel and look out carefully that the people do not keep back 
the whitest and largest and clearest pieces, for they are the best,, 
and when I see how many of such pieces there are among it, I shall 
give yon further orders to the profit both of myself and you. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz r ' 2 

June 25, i6.fr> 

. Ubert Andricsen, tobacco planter, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck" 

This 25th of June 1640 

I have received your letters with the accounts, but I can not 

understand them very well. You should settle and liquidate ac- 

nts there with arcnt van Curler. I see that you put in my 

unt all charges for yourself and for your whole household. 

Tins is not according to our agreement and should not be done. 

There must be other reasons which induce you thereto and you 

lit not to write to me about these. 53 The account of the sale 

the four cases of tobacco, among which there was one o\ your 

ther arcnt, 1 send in another package of letters to arcnt van 

let. You have caused me and yourself great loss by making 



. f.i: 

ghy mv n 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 5OI 

me hold the tobacco so high. It would have been left entirely 
unsold and have spoiled and I should not have dared to sell it 
except for the advice of huybert jansen, tobacco roller, the son of 
jan Cornelisen, who had rated it so high. One must follow the 
market here. The tobacco which has lately come from the man- 
hat as is held high. They must probably pay two stivers duty and 
I paid but one stiver ; they must pay a stiver a pound for freight 
and I paid but 30 st a 100, which makes a considerable difference, 
and they will not get as much for it as they imagine. As to the 
goods which you request by letter, you should have given this letter 
to arent van Corler; he would then know what to furnish you in 
proportion to others. It is inconvenient for me to correspond with 
everybody. By so doing I should become everybody's servant : I 
think that I do you enough kindness by selling your tobacco to- 
gether with mine and by sending the merchandise in return for it 
to my com mis, who will supply you in the same proportion as others 
as I wrote him also. And if you are not satisfied with that you 
must make another contract with me. Each inhabitant of the col- 
ony would no doubt like to have a master at his beck and call ; 54 
that can not be. When your term expires we must enter into a 
different contract, so that I may know what I have above expenses, 
as my nephew twitter does at the manhatas with his people. I see 
that you are diligent ; I am therefore willing to help you along, 
but I can as yet not comprehend or understand from your accounts 
what your yearly profit to me is. Could you arrange things so 
that I made something, I shall see that you get something, even if 
it were in merchandise or in furs to be delivered to you, 55 but 
everything must pass through the hands of the commis whom I 
shall appoint in the colony. If you know a better way, I will 
accommodate you but you must not make me your servant nor 
write as you did about the soap and other things ; I can not tolerate 
that from you. 

Meanwhile, I shall feel favorably toward you if you will give 
me further explanations and a more detailed account with arent 
7 'an Corler. 



"sonde wcl een heere r>/> syn hant willen hebben; literally, would no doubt like to 
have a master on his hand, or side. 

6!i al -core het mede in Cargasoen in pelterryen aen u te leveren. 



502 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Reyer Stoffelsz™ 

June 25, 1640 

Reijcr stoff risen, smith, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

The 25th of June 1640 
I have not yet received any letter from you but understand that 
your wife's sister, the banns of whose marriage were published in 
my colony, married at the manhatans and stayed there. It would 
have been better if she had married in the colony, as she would 
have been more company to you in that way. How much iron and 
coal I sent by den ivaterhondt, you will see from the invoice which 
I sent lo arent van Corler. I trust that you will serve me faithfully 
and live up to your contract, unlike to others, who 1 understand do 
nothing but misconstrue my contracts and seek to stir up others. 
According to what I am told here they make my contracts out to 
be much worse than I do in order to arouse others thereby to 
mutiny. 07 They make the charges out to be greater so as to have 
reason for not paying anything; as for example, they make the 
freemen, who should receive 30 st a day, believe that they are to 
get but 25 st, saying that the patroon must have one sixth part 
which is 5 st, therefore there remain but 25 st. That is a shameful 
misconstruction, for in case they spend 30 st I am not to have a 
penny, as I get but one sixth part of the gain at the end of 
the year. In the same way they misconstrue the tithes, as well 
as the guilder on each hog, the idea being not to pay a guilder 
as often as the hog is sold but only when it is sold to be slaughtered, 
to be sent away or for some such purpose, and it seems to me that 
it is little enough to be able to keep a hog in the field or in the 
woods for one guilder a year. Therefore please construe every- 
thing to my best advantage and do not listen to the instigator to 
evil. The Lord will bless you the more for doing so and I shah 
return kindness for kindness, but those who want to oppose me 
will find themselves deceived. 



00 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.uSb. 
' 7 muytinatie. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 503 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen 58 

June 2j, 1640 

Mauris Jansen, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

The 25th of June 1640 
Cousyu mauris Jansen: If you had thought of me as I thought 
of you, you would not have sent such an answer instead of thank- 
ing me. Something must have been wrong in your mind or you 
must have allowed yourself to be stirred up with others. You may 
be sure I shall find who is the cause of it all and whether it was 
not clone by those who had the least reason for it. How much 1 
thought of you appears from the fact that although you were but 
19 years old I gave you such wages as men of 24 years and over 
received and that while I had engaged you for six years, having 
arrived in the colony in the year 1637, I made you at once in the 
year 1638 master instead of servant on a new farm and in the year 
1639 gave you one of the best farms on which under the present 
terms and in your present capacity, you could earn yearly accord- 
ing to your own diligence and God's blessing, three, yes, four times 
as much as at the time I engaged you. Now see what thanks I 
receive for this. You know or at least ought to know that Gerrit 
de rcu.r, deceased, during his lifetime misinterpreted the conditions 
made with me and frequently acted impertinently toward me, which 
deeds it would take too long to relate. All these abuses I wanted 
to remedy, trusting that a relative of mine, and one whom I had 
so soon and while he was so young promoted from servant to 
master would as a sign of gratitude help me therein. On the con- 
trary I discover that you are the principal one to oppose me, 
threatening to leave (as if you had a right to do so, which would 
soon appear not to be the case) if I do not grant you the conditions 
which you dictate in your letter. 

Examine your conduct conscientiously and you will find other 
matters to fill your letters than you have put in so far. Even if 
geerit de rcu.r had been right, which he was not, was I, after his 
death and after the expiration of his lease, bound to observe the 
contract made with him when there was but one farm in the colon)'' 
and when he, being the second [farmer], promised to erect a new 
farm on the fifth kill far from the fort and where nobody lived? 



V. R. B. Mss. Later Booh, f.i32b. 



504 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

On this farm which you obtained, on the contrary, there were in 
the year 1638 3J morgens of winter wheat, which the farmers ap- 
praised at £75 a morgen, chargeable to the patroon. They have 
either scandalously overvalued it or you are not grateful that you 
are master instead of servant on such a farm. And as to the tithes, 
if according to my high jurisdiction I might impose tithes on all 
lands within that jurisdiction which do not belong to me, how 
much the more right have I and also how Christian and proper is it 
to stipulate the same in the lease of the land which I own. There- 
fore, think well what you do, and if you want to expect further 
promotion do not dispute my terms but accept them as they are 
and serve out the time which you have promised me, to which I 
shall expect a more carefully considered reply than I have received 
so far. Enclosed is a letter from your uncle. Understand me well, 
when you do right you will also be treated rightly, but remember 
all you gain there, so that I must remain the master and the oldest 
child; 60 and if you wish to have any prospect of advancement, do 
not oppose my cousin van korler but help him in every way. It 
will be better for you than if you did otherwise, for I shall not let 
myself be overruled by the farmers, even if not one of those 
fellows remain in the colony. Meanwhile, best wishes from your 
trusting, &c. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jan Cornelisz 61 

June 26, 1640 

Jehan Corndiscn^ 2 tobacco planter and carpenter in the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck 

This 26th of June 1640, in Amsterdam 
I shall briefly answer your undated letter to me. I understand 
your meaning and see that you are greatly mistaken about your 
stipulated wages, and that others have stirred you up and made 
you believe that instead of 30 st you arc to get but 25 st. If you 
have saved 30 st free money, 63 5 st thereof belong to me, but if 



'" Omission in Letter Book. 

00 dan gedenckt alles vihai ghy dacr wint sule.r dat ick meester en het ousten hint 
nwet blyven. 

'•' l'. A', n. Mss, Letter Book, f. 128b. The heading and first four words of this letter 
are in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 

'- In the account hooks of the colony, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. this man is 
designated a; Tan < orneliss Timtnerman, Jan Cornelisz, carpenter, to distinguish him 
from Jan Cornelisz van llouten. 

63 vry gelt. 



i 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 505 

you spend 30 st on board and clothes, I do not get a penny. 
Therefore be at ease and satisfied with the contract made with me; 
the years will soon pass. And urge others to do their duty and to 
fulfil their promises instead of stirring each other up against their 
patroon. It seems that many people have no conscience and while 
here in the country promise me a great deal which on their arrival 
there they do not think of giving me ; but I do not think this of 
you and shall favor you as much as the opportunity will in any 
wise allow. For this reason I have clone your wife this favor 
that I have packed a small package for you in case no. 8, which 
now goes thither in den waterhondt and which you can get upon 
request from my cousin arent van Corler when the case with God's 
help shall have arrived. Cask D contains a fishing net and what 
belongs to it, for which albert also has asked me. You may pay 
for it and use it together, as well as michiel Jansen and sunder 
leendersz, according to your letter. 

The grist-mill, I understand from pieter wyncoop, is entirely 
finished and grinds excellent meal and as to the 8 st a schepel for 
grinding, this must be so arranged that people have no ground for 
complaint. I am longing to hear how your tobacco plantation 
goes. Your son huybert writes you; his letter is enclosed in 
another packet of letters. You had valued the tobacco of albert 
too high; one can not fix there the market of this country. I shall 
make regular use of your son to advance and to recommend him ; 
return me the favor, especially in seeing to it that the necessary 
farmhouses be erected strongly and conveniently and at the least 
expense, and as I have sent a model of a church, see to that also, 
as Claes jansen ruijtcr has gone to the manhatans, and look around 
for suitable timber to be cut during the winter and brought to the 
[place of] building by the farmers. You must not make a mistake 
and take it too large; the dimensions of the building are indicated 
in the memorandum. And as to sending a minister, I make every 
effort to find suitable means but it seems that there are restless 
spirits in the colony who want to thwart my good work. I wish 
that I knew who they were, I would make a note of them. Is it 
not a shameful thing that they try to arouse you and other freemen 
against [paying] the tithes which you granted me here in the 
country according to the contract of freemen? They want to 
dictate another way of paying the minister, but these fellows will 
find out whether they are my masters or whether I am theirs. 
There' is no more divine means than the tithes for where the Lord 



506 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

God gives and lets grow nine trees, fish, or schepels of grain, he 
[the freeman] can easily give the tenth in addition and will be 
blessed more than those who try to keep it in their purse. I would 
rather yield my own right than allow myself to be deprived of the 
right to the tithes ; therefore, do your best also to manage everything 
according to the terms made with the freemen and put in the lease 
of the farmers. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Albert Andriesz' 54 

July 2, 1640 

Albert Andriesen, tobacco planter 

1640, 2 July 
Albert andriesen: I have examined your letters and your ac- 
counts as well as those of arent, your brother. I can not get any 
clear idea from them. I have shown them also to my nephew 
van tzviller, the former director, but he can not make them out 
either; therefore, as you sent me duplicates of your accounts I 
return herewith one copy to arent van Corler. You must settle 
with him there. Just as I send you a clear account of your 
tobacco, you must send me a clear account of everything that has 
been advanced there. That I should share in all the expenses of 
the household is contrary to your agreement. The three of you 
were like one man and if you had remained so you would together 
have needed but one house. That it must now be divided into 
three dwellings is to my disadvantage and not my fault but yours 
jointly. Therefore, you must not count as you do but as follows : 
first, you must calculate what your dwelling house costs you, which 
concerns you alone ; then what the drying houses or the tobacco, 
cost you, half of which is to be charged to you and half to me; 
further, as to my half of your board and that of the men whom 
you have employed, this must not be mixed and entered with the 
expenses for board, clothes and household articles of the whole 
household, but every week, year or month, you must charge each 
one with the amount which I think reasonable and also credit 
each with one half of what he has contribute 1 to the kitchen by 
fishing, fowling or hunting. As to your wife, she should be 
credited daily or weekly with such wages as she has earned by her 
work, one half of which is to be charged to me; hereto must be 

<-' V. R. B. Mss, Lettei B. ok, 1. 129. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS S°7 

added one half of the wages of the men or other people whom 
you have employed in planting" tobacco or in work connected 
with it. 

In return you must credit me with one half of all the tobacco 
which you have sold there to one person or another; also, one 
half of all the profit on the furs, which you do not mention in 
your accounts, though it is included in your contract. You must 
also credit me in your account with the iys an d the 50$ additional, 
together f 112:10, which I advanced you here in this country; with 
your Ys share of the goods bought for the mill company, amount- 
ing to 448:18:8, of which my half is f224:o,:4 and that for the 
three of you f 224 -.9:4, your third part amounting to £74:8:14, 
which you have paid me, but not the above if^, on which you 
promised me 50$ additional and which will be paid when you give 
me the f 112:10. 

You must also pay for board of yourself, your wife and the 
children in the colony, to the 24th of March 1637, amounting accord- 
ing to the account of dirck Cor sen to f 104 8 

for the children f 52 4 



f 156 12 



I also paid for you to the West India Company fio duty on the 
10 skins sent to your godmother by Dirck corsen, "for which I paid 
her fioo. Further [you must pay for] the merchandise and the 
like received from Jacob planch and arcnt van corlcr, or which you 
may have bought from the Company or others on my credit, to 
which must be added whatever else I may have forgotten. 

Against this I owe you for }4 of the tobacco of the year 1639, 
amounting to f372 :8 ; for your half f 186 4 

for the tobacco of the year 1640, of your brother arent 
f63i :i8; for your half ±3 J 5 l 9 

This is the way you must count, or everything will be confused 
and mixed up. No other result is possible ; I can not understand 
your accounts. 



508 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler'"' 

July -\ 10 jo 

Arundt Van Curler, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

2 July 1640 

As the preceding letters came too late on account of the hasty 
departure o\ the ship den waterhondt, 1 shall answer somewhat 
more fully yours oi the 23d of August 1639, scnt n . v Cornells 
melyn. 

By the letter oi my brother in law twiller, yon will see the care 
taken of yon with regard to the inheritance of your father and 
mother j especially regarding the succession to the estate near 
nieckerck. Your uncle boldewyn has been here hut he did not 
even speak to me, as he is angry at having missed what was coming 
to him by right of primogeniture. 66 It will turn (nit all right for 
you if yon will only fear the Lord and he faithful in your service 
and let no one induce you to sin against God or to injure your 
master. Remember that all things have their time and that one 
must not he too hasty and attempt to fly too high. If you do 
right, things will come o\ themselves, for which otherwise you 
would have to serve or solicit much; and when you consider your- 
self too weak, let me know it and I will have no trouble in getting 
others; however, 1 do not trust every one whom I chance to meet. 

1 have this fault to find with several of your accounts, as for 
instance those relating to albert andriesen and Cryn Corneliss and 
his brother, that you put on the one side what they owe you hut 
not on the other side what you owe them in return, while another 
time you put down what you owe them and not what they owe you 
in return, so that this must he a lesson to you to keep debit and 
credit accounts. Even if there he nothing to put down, this must 
he indicated, otherwise one thinks that it may have been forgotten. 
When you give anything to any one you must add briefly o\ what 
and to whom, so as to give a clearer idea. 

Herewith goes by Cornells melyn a cargo chest RQ, which 
came to,, late for den waterhont. It contains three very fine 
blankets which you will give in my name to three chiefs; one to 
Sader Juchta, chief of the maquaes, the other two to the two chiefs 
who have the greatest credit and power among the maquaes or to 

* V. K. B. Mss, Letter /<< oh, f. 129b. 

c,r ' h\ is quaet omdat ky syn eerstgeboorte versuijtnt heeft. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 509 

one of the principal men of the mahikans. You will write out for 
these people my name in large characters, to wit: kiliaen van 
renselaer, patroon of the colony of Reusselaerswyck, presents and 
gives you (N.B. putting his name) as a sign of peace and friend- 
ship and good neighborly relations, this present which you receive 
here from my hand. And although he does not see you with his 
own eyes you are nevertheless remembered in his heart by similar 
ceremonies of friendship. You might do this in the presence of 
pieter cornelissen and coniclis teunissen, who can then further ex- 
tend the matter. There are also four blankets in case no. 8, sent 
by de waterhondt. One is a present for you, the second for pieter 
corneliss, the third for coniclis teunissen if he behaves well, and the 
fourth you must sell for me as high as you can so as to have 
some compensation. These small presents to the savages may 
sometimes cause great friendship and prevent much enmity. It 
would also serve as a means of making them acquainted with God, 
saying this person knows you, although he has not seen you, 
through those persons whom he has heard speak and who have 
written of you. How much better then can God, who made the 
heavens and the earth and created the sun which you can see, see 
your works, He who each day lets his bountiful gifts come to man 
through the fruitfulness which He gives to the products of the 
earth and to man's sinful body. 

I have seen the accounts of Albert andriesen but can not under- 
stand them. I send them to you herewith for your examination. 
I write to albert as to the way I think the accounts ought to be 
drawn up. Talk with him about it and tell him that he must 
render the accounts in that form or there will be a great confusion, 
which 1 do not want, and before handing him his letter you will 
please first copy what I have written at the close about drawing 
up the accounts accordingly. However, if he should complain too 
much at bearing alone the expense of his dwelling house and if 
everything went well, I would consent to pay one half of it, pro- 
vided that half the house then belonged to me; but the other 
freemen must pay tor their own houses themselves. I have en- 
closed all these six letters under cover of yours. You must read 
them through carefully and copy what is of use to you and then 
give them to each one individually. Give mauris his letter first 
before he has spoken to any one an 1 see how he takes it. Then 
give coniclis teunissen his letter without anybody being present and 
see whether he takes it well or not, thereafter give pieter coniclis- 



5IO NEW YORK STATE. LIBRARY 

sen his letter ; also alone, and read him a commission which I send 
you, in which he is also mentioned with comelis teunissen if the 
latter is willing- to comply, otherwise pietcr cornelisscn alone. The 
other letters you must give one by one but in such a way that one 
does not know about the others and as soon after each other as 
you can. If you do not trust yourself to manage the matter alone, 
take pietcr cornelisscn from the first as your counselor. When you 
notice that he behaves well, listen more to him and trust him more ; 
but if he should not carry out my intention you must be somewhat 
cautious. You can reply to all objections that you must follow 
your commission and that I have strictly ordered it, asking them 
whether they would be served better if I sent another man to carry 
out my instructions than by having them carried out by you. I 
have no doubt that the bond will be broken and the net will be 
torn, which will prevent them from inciting each other as they 
have done. 

Let me know whether Jacob planck left you there all the con- 
tracts which I made with my people and examine the contract 
of the three people who formed the mill company, namely, pieter 
Cornelisscn, Claes Jansen and albert andriesen, in which you will 
find a promise to settle their accounts each year with Jacob planck 
or whoever may fill his place. How obedient therefore is albert 
when he writes in his letter that he does not want to get any goods 
from you. He will find himself in trouble if he keeps that course. 
However, keep quiet and carry out your instructions. If they have 
anything to say, tell them that they must write it to me, that yon 
must follow your commission and that I shall know how to find 
those who try to violate their contracts. I shall expect by the first 
opportunity the accounts of the aforesaid merchandise together 
with the returns in furs and the like. However, send me no- 
beaver skins except the very best. Others you might trade in 
again, as I have to pay the Company one guilder on each skin.. 
That would be too heavy a charge on the small skins unless you 
count two as equal to one merchantable skin. 

It is great loss to me that the goods sent by the ship den Engel 
gabriel did not arrive there before the winter. I must have 
patience and you must do your best to sell everything to the best 
advantage. Above all things take care that your goods are not 
reduced by fire or theft and give no one anything on credit except 
those to whom 1 owe something and let no one impose upon yon 
and construe my contracts in a wrong sense as I notice everybody 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 511 

wants to. If you zcant to have somebody with you whom you can 
trust and who means to do right by me and you, I do not wish that 
Cornelis teunissen or any one else shall refuse you this, but take 
no one unless he is honest and of good conduct. De ruljter'' and 
his wife must live by themselves when they come back; do not 
engage them. Have your house fortified that animals may not 
steal from you nor savages surprise you; be especially careful about 
fire and guard yourself against bad women, Indian or others, and 
keep the fear of the Lord before your eyes and He will bless you. 
As to the farmers, I want them to enter all their grain according 
to the former ordinance and also to offer to you first all the grain 
that they want to deliver to the Company or they will have no 
small dispute with me; and if they do otherwise, they will have 
to expect loss and confiscation. What you need for your own 
support you might get from brant pelen or others on credit; and 
if they refuse to give it to you, you might pay them in merchan- 
dise. In this way one knife will keep the other in the sheath. I 
notice that you allow others to rule too much over you. The 
farmer who can drink so much wine at a Maypole [festival] and 
not deliver anything, the representative of the patroon ought to 
accuse before the council and they ought to fine him heavily to the 
profit of the patroon. They will thus observe their duty better 
than in valuing the grain on the field at 75 guilders a morgen. 
If they are appointed councilors, it is in my interest; and if they 
do not seek my advantage, I shall if it pleases me appoint others. 
As to the debt which the farmers or the men owe the Company they 
must pay it themselves, as you can see from the arrangements made 
between me and the Company, which I have sent to Mr kieft, who 
will no doubt hand to you such of the papers as I do 'not send to 
you, for the Company itself has sent him a copy thereof. In the 
letter which I write to Mr kieft, there are many things which it 
would be useful for you to know. Ask him and he will un- 
doubtedly let you read my letter. Keep on good footing with him 
and present him in my name with two or three muddes of wheat, 
which you can do the more properly as he is helpful to you in 
making the farmers enter everything and deliver it into your hands. 
Carefully examine the papers containing the agreement between me 
and the Company, but as grain is in great demand in that country 
and beaver skins are becoming cheaper here, he ought instead of 

Above all things.. .De ruijter; tins passage underlined in original. De ruijter 
refers to Claes Jansz Ruyter; his wife's name was Pietertje Jans. 



5 12 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

4/<2 guilders a pound to furnish you beaver skins at ^)/ 2 guilders 
a pound and [pay for] the wheat at [the rate of] 10 guilders a 
mudde. As to the debtors of dircks korssen referring to their notes 
of hand, they talk about that to others, but as they know without 
doubt that dirck korsen was my servant and that the goods which. 
he sold to them were my goods, they may be assured that it will 
not do them any harm to pay to me as I am sufficiently able to 
guard them against further claims. They did wrong in making out 
their notes of hand in the name of dirck korsen, as they knew that 
the goods which he sold them were mine, in which I let dirck kors- 
sen and Jan tiepgens together have an eighth share, and as I under- 
stand that dirck corsen has sent over the notes of hand for collec- 
tion, let cornelis tennissen when they appear stop them in my name 
saying that they are false notes of hand. As to the fact that dirck 
korssen has the goods belonging to the joint owners of the ship 
rensselaerswyck entered in his own name, this ought to be investi- 
gated, and if they request Mr kicft to assist them, cornelis tennissen 
will no doubt defend my case and carry it out to my profit, for 
dirck corsen can not turn over to private persons goods owned in 
common. 

As to the right to the tithes, you will have to regulate yourself 
according to your commission, especially with regard to the farms 
whose leases will first expire, like those of brant peelen and cornelis 
tennissen, and do not change any date, for these leases must expire 
the first of January. This is clearly stated in the contract of Gcmt 
de reux and therefore this date must be kept and brant pel en must 
have none of the grain .that was in the barn before the first of 
January. You must look out for that in his account, for he might 
think that he had a right to one half of the grain that stood on the 
field in May 1635. That year still belongs to me, as I paid the 
expenses of it and he must have his wages. [His term begins] 
with the year' 1636, so that his four years end the first of January 
1640 which is the end of his lease, and it is a favor on my part 
that I continue him till the first of January 1641. The same is the 
case with cornelis tennissen. ddiese people do themselves a great 
deal of damage by depriving themselves of such beautiful farms; 
but they may do as they please. I will not rent them to any one 
except on the terms of the contract with nianris even if 1 have to 
have them tilled as in the beginning by rntqert hendrickscn, who 
has been an honest servant, as was also brant peelen, hut now that 
he begins to he rich it seems that he sides with others to his 



s own 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 513 

disadvantage. He is foolish, for I was favorably inclined toward 
him ; it is not for him to grant me land according to his wishes, but 
for me to grant him my land according to my wishes, and if he does 
not like it I will not force him to it, as others will be glad to take it. 
As to jacob zvolferseu, he should have given me a cow for my 
half share in the horse. He must still do this if it has not yet been 
done ; or else put a price on the horse and draw lots as to who shall 
have it. He is a worthy man and I am surprised that he has taken 
the whole horse without paying me, as only one half share in it 
belonged to him. It is a great loss to me that Cornells tcnnisscn and 
brant pelen have exchanged a horse for two cows and given four 
muddes of wheat in addition. I do not wish you to consent to 
such things next year, but inasmuch as there are so few cows in the 
colony I will this time overlook it. I am very anxious for the 
increase of the horses but especially of the cows. Enclosed is a 
memorandum 68 from my nephew van tzuiller to receive two cows 
and two calves from acrt willcmscn, which Cryn cornclisscn is to 
use on his farm and which I have granted him because he has 
done his best to procure good servants. The sample of the tobacco 
of arcnt van dricscn 69 is extraordinary but it has a strange after- 
taste. If his brother is willing to discharge him, I am willing to 
grant him a plantation on the basis of that of 1639, but not at all 
to share expenses. That must be entirely abolished and I must 
know what my profit will be; even if the contract of those who 
work without servants stipulates that instead of one half they will 
deliver one third to me in tobacco, I shall be satisfied. I have writ- 
ten to michicl about the crystal. Read his letter and let him do as 
I told him. Something is said in your letter 70 about the farm of 
brant pelen. You must not get your advancement from that 
source. 71 You will have enough to do in carrying out my commis- 
sion and instructions and in course of time when I hear of your 
capacity and efficiency I will give you proper promotion, but you 
must do like others and in the beginning not want too much. Many 
a young man serves his master six years in the hope of being 
advanced. The benefit will come to you of itself if you carry out 
my instructions, render me correct accounts and bring in some 
profit; for on this your promotion depends. You must give me 
an exact account of what has become of the 31 morgens of grain 



^See p. 490. 

69 Arent Andriesen. 

70 commissie ; probably a mistake for missive. 

n ghy moet het van dikant niet hebben; literally, you must not have it from that side. 



5 T 4 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of the farm of Gcrrit dc reus which they valued at £75. Let the 
farmer 72 account for that and if he can not do so he must be 
called before the council by Cornells teunissen to render true account. 
These are things which are of service to me and in case he does not 
render a true account he must be fined according to circumstances, 
for as far as I can make out from what maurls janscn says, he has 
been quite useless to me and caused me great loss. I am 
sorry about the accident of the flood and the poor crop which I 
had in the year 1639. One must have patience in regard to what 
the Lord God does, but what happens from neglect of the people 
ought to be remedied or punished. I hope that this year 1640 will 
be a better year, both as to the increase of animals and the grain 
crop, of which I hope to be advised by the first opportunity ; and put 
in the inventory the hogs which are on the farms, which so far has 
not been done. 

As to Symon walings, who so far has not furnished anything, he 
shall also be called before the council to defend himself concerning 
the farm as well as the great expenses which he has occasioned, 
and in case the council be unanimously against their master, like 
the appraisers of the 31 morgens of Gerrit de reux, you will write 
to me about it ; and do not fear in the least to denounce their faults ; 
if they are unfaithful to me or very partial I must take other 
measures and send others. I see that last year there was a fairly 
good oat crop. You must take care of this and see that it is not 
uselessly squandered but disposed of and sold to my profit. [I see] 
that albert has bought a heifer for f200, which is much too high. 
You must make other arrangements about the provisions for the 
freemen, namely, if there are any oxen to be killed about that time, 
that they be properly divided and sold, the farmers having the 
preference, especially those who have raised them, and likewise 
about the hogs, that one does not get everything and another noth- 
ing. These are matters which the council are to settle. There 
ought to be regular fishermen in the colony who at the proper 
season make it their business to fish and to sell their catch among 
the people so that each one might get some, similarly hunters or 
game-shooters who can then sell their deer and turkeys to the 
people. Is not this much better than that every one spend his time 
doing this? 

The inventory of the animals is quite incorrect and full of mis- 
takes and you must in the future pay more attention to that, for 



72 mcestcr; intended either for bouwmecster, farmer, or for mccster knecht, foreman. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 515 

I can not get any clear idea from it. The lack of time excuses you 
to some extent, but you ought always to do this work in advance so 
that the time may not find you unprepared. Adopt a good form 
which you can continue with little trouble. If I had time I would 
send you one but my occupations prevent me. Vale. 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting storing 
of grain and tobacco without inspection 73 

July ip, 1640 

The commissioners and councilors of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck by order of the patroon and his participants earnestly forbid 
and prohibit all farmers, tobacco planters and freemen, whoever 
they may be, from bringing any grain, of whatever kind, or tobacco 
and other products into their houses or barracks 74 without consent 
of and notice to the commissioners or councilors there, in order that 
they may make proper examination and inspection of the same 
while it is still in the field or on the land, and whoever opposes 
or does anything against this ordinance and does not allow such 
proper inspection to take place, shall by way of fine forfeit the 
sum of 200 guilders. Let every one take heed that such is our 
intention and guard himself against loss. Done in the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck this 19th of July 1640. 

By order of the commissioners and councilors of the said colony. 
To my knowledge, 

Arcndtt Van Curler, Secretary 

Memorandum of papers sent to the colony in the care of Crijn 
Cornelisz van Houten 75 

Between July 2 and Sept. io, 1640 
N. B. Sent to Arundt van Curler the following papers by Crijn 
Cornel ijsen: 

1 A sealed authorization for arundt van Carter, />''. Cornelijsen 

and Cornells teunissen, concerning the tithes 

2 Copy of the letters to arundt van Corler of May 30 and 

July 2, 1640 

3 Copy of the letter to Mauritz Jauseu 

4 Invoice of the goods sent by the ship den Waterhont 

5 [left blank in original] 



I '. R. B. Mss 17. Other copy in handwriting of Antony de Hooges in V. R. B. 
Mss 18. 
u bergen. 
n V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.133. In handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



516 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet™ 

September 10, 1640 

Joint 11 nes de lact, at Leyden 

10 September 1640 
I can not let the opportunity of the going of S r mussart thither 
pass by without asking you to pay the last assessment (long ago ad- 
vanced by me), the said mussart having paid his in good time. 
I see no reason why this is delayed. If any umbrage is taken by 
any of the participants in the colony, this can be properly remedied. 
As to the last memorial drawn up by you and caused to be hande • 
to me by Mr blommert, it seems to me, subject to correction, 
that it runs entirely off the track, and that you must have imper- 
fectly understood my intention, for the said memorial dissolves the 
colony, dispossesses the patroon and opens the door for separa- 
tion, which I am even asked to take the pains to procure. If that 
had been the intention from the beginning, I would not have taken 
the trouble to undertake the management as of an ill success 
nothing could be expected but ingratitude and loss and of a good 
success nothing but trouble taken for others. It is well known 
that as early as November 1639 77 I declared myself as patroon, 
put everything in order and gave instructions in my private name 
and person to buy land and pay for it, and had the deeds and con- 
veyances made out in my name, yes, what is more, even in the be- 
ginning of 1630, before I shared the management with anybody 
in the world, I sent thither ivulfert geeretsen as my director and 
rutgert hendericksen as my officer 78 together with several farm 
hands and boys. This will be corroborated by all signed docu- 
ments, and although from January 1630 I had been spending 
money, I did not get a penny from any one till about two years 
later, [receiving then on the] 29th of September 1631 from blom- 
mert for the one fifth share 128 1 : 17: 8, from you by 5^" boudewyns 
the same sum in November following, and from Godyn, deceased, 
not till February 1632 the same Mini for one fifth share; and it will 
nowhere appear that I have ever turned over, ceded or given any 
part of my patroonship or management to any one, [acting 111 



70 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Booh; f.133. 

77 Should be 1629. 

78 Though Rutger Hcndricksz was engaged as farmer by the patroon as early as 
Jan. 16, 1630, power of attorney to administer the oath of officer to him was not given 
to van Twiller till July i, 1632. 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS S l 7 

this] as did Mr Godyn, deceased, and Mr blommcrt, who left my 
name out of their conveyances, although I was one of the original 
subscribers to their colonies; so that I can not and may not cede 
in any way what belongs to me privately. But this I declared to 
you and wrote and said to S r maussaert that inasmuch as the Lord 
has blessed me with several sons, I was willing to listen to such 
propositions as would prevent the patroon or the successor to the 
fief from cheating his brothers and coparticipants with false ac- 
counts and from making them pay other taxes or charges than 
those which might be decided by majority of votes and to such 
other propositions as would serve to preserve their rights ; also 
that if the undertaking through the Lord's blessing should get to 
such a point that a greater number of councilors must be appointed, 
each fifth and tenth share, according to circumstances, should have 
the right to nominate a person to hold such place under a com- 
mission from the patroon and that all participants, especially 
those who won a fifth share, may if they like empower such per- 
sons to inquire into such matters as they shall think advisable. 

And although the colony can not and ought not to be divided, 
it would not seem unnatural to me to make some subdivision and to 
apportion [to each participant] some private farms and lands as 
long as it did not interfere with the general rule, for if the sub- 
division were to be absolute, all things that are inseparable would 
have to be separated and each fifth would have to be absolute, 
or at least have its separate smiths, carpenters, wheelwright, 
shoemakers and tailor, which would be difficult. And as to the 
sawmill, grist-mill, bakery and brewery, how could these be sepa- 
rated from the whole, especially as to the men who often go from 
one master to the other? And what disorder would it give if there 
were absolute division. In short, if the colony were to be divided 
absolutely it would be better in order not to interfere with one 
another to have each fifth 10 miles from every other rather than 
to have them mixed. Such division has never been thought of and 
as to the new freedoms, these have nothing to do with the colony, 
otherwise we should be badly off, as they provide that tithes must 
be paid to the Company, from which we are free, as well as other 
servitudes. Some arrangement like that mentioned above serving 
to restrict the power of the patroon I should be willing to accept, 
but to do away with him entirely and to make the management 
popular™ is not suitable to the colony and has never been planned. 



70 eft dierecttie populair tc maken; that is, to give each participant a share in the 
management. 



5l8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

It is also impossible to accomplish it as, in addition to the patroon- 
ship and the management, I own three fifth shares, so that I can 
not be outvoted. It will therefore be better if we act in unity 
without formality as before and give the others no cause for um- 
brage or contention. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Chamber of Amsterdam of the 
West India Company 80 

October 25, 1640 

1640 : 25 October, in Amsterdam 
To the honorable lords directors of the Chartered West India Com- 
pany, Chamber of Amsterdam 
Your honorable assembly can not be unacquainted with the fact 
that the long disputes which arose from time to time between your 
worshipful honors on the one side and Kiliaen van Rensselaer as pa- 
troon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck on the other side, both 
with regard to matters of account and the condition and the free- 
doms of New Netherland, were on the 19th of March last com- 
pletely settled and adjusted after previous consultation with the 
honorable commissioners of New Netherland and report thereon 
by the said gentlemen. All that remained to do was to grant him, 
the remonstrant, a proper order for the payment of the arrears 
agreed upon for wheat delivered for the support of your honor's 
subjects from March 1638. In addition to the previous delay 
seven months more have passed and he has not been able to ob- 
tain the said order, mainly, it seems, on account of the various 
absences of one or the other of the said honorable commissioners, 
and now that he has at last obtained a hearing, all he can see is 
that they are again trying to throw everything into confusion, re- 
ferring him to this assembly and seeking to render the matter al- 
ready decided upon as troublesome 81 as if it bad never been de- 
cided and this for two frivolous reasons ; first, because I drew up the 
resolution of your honorable body and N. B. the form to be used 
by the Company in granting the order, everything according to the 
written proposition entrusted by the said renselaer to bellechiere, 
which was approved by the aforesaid assembly, [the commissioners] 
holding that instead of " all according to " there ought to have 
been written "all in conformity with," as if one expression were 



m V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i34b. 
f1 racuzv; literally, raw. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 519 

not the same as the other, simply for the sake of making trouble 
contrary to the intention of the assembly on a subtle question of 
words; second, a mere excuse, saying that in the heading of a 
document is written " proposition of rcnselacr with regard to the 
new account," and therefore interpreting this as a mere proposition 
(oh! Sancta Simplicitas). But what at first was only a proposi- 
tion was later accepted by the honorable commissioners as a draft 
to be introduced into the assembly, first adopted on the 17th and 
thereafter on the 19th introduced into the assembly, not by Ren- 
selaer, but by the Hon. Mr hamel, who at the time presided over 
both the assembly and the commissioners, upon which such dis- 
cussion took place that he, Renselaer, waited in the anteroom for 
four hours, inasmuch as the business with the honorable com- 
missioners consisted of two parts, the first having reference to 
what took place before the arrival of the Hon. Mr Kicft till the 
year 1638, the other as to what took place during his adminis- 
tration till June 1639. The first part having be*en read before other 
business was taken up, the other part was held over till after said 
business, when it was also read, examined and approved with the 
first part, whereupon the said Rcnselacr was called in and informed 
by the president that all questions of long standing were entirely 
settled and determined to the satisfaction of the assembly and that 
the papers would be placed in the custody of bclcchicr to prevent 
their being stolen. The said rencelaer having accepted this ar- 
rangement, the president ordered a bumper of wine and drank to 
the health of said rcnselacr as a former member of the assembly in 
the presence of all the gentlemen present, whereupon he left gaily, 
notwithstanding the first document was very prejudicial to him, as 
may be seen clearly from the resolution, because of the lack of 
the proper documents on the part of the Company. However, 
for the sake of peace and to have once and for all an end to all 
disputes, he declared himself satisfied, so that he, Rcnselacr, has 
reason to be grateful as far as the honorable assembly is concerned, 
but on the contrary has the greatest cause to complain about the 
delay by the commissioners, who now at last come forward with 
such frivolous impertinence. 

Concluding, he requests of your worshipful honors an order to 
the honorable commissioners to grant him the order in conformity 
with the resolution of the 19th of March last and to let him have 
the substance of the contents of the approved documents in the 
custody of bcllechicr in order that they may now and in the future 
form the basis for mutual business. Vale. 



5 2 ° NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart* 2 

January 2j, 1641 

Toussain Mussart, at Leyden 

This 25th of January 1641, at Amsterdam 
This will serve to advise you that the ship den waterhondt which 
has long been lying in England has arrived from New Netherland 
in this country, but the goods and furs and other merchandise have 
not been brought here yet. I received some letters from there and 
even this morning got one from Picter cornclisscn, but I suppose 
that there must still be many others which will gradually appear. 
In general, the affairs of the colony are all right, God be praised. 
In the year 1640 a small house burned down in which three horses 
perished, the accident having been caused by fire which blew from 
a torch with which the farmer set fire to the brush in the field, as 
is the custom there ; coming back he found his house on fire. On 
the other hand the Lord gave us that year a fair increase of foals 
and calves and a fine wheat crop. We begin also to receive some 
returns, as I expect in three cases 681 beavers sent by this ship 
for the account of the colony and also a case for brant peclcn and 
another for Cornell's tcunisscn, so that the undertaking is prosper- 
ing, God be praised. The fur trade begins gradually to get into our 
hands. They write from there that if we do not fail to send mer- 
chandise, we can each year expect plenty of returns. He had still 
some goods left but did not dare venture to exchange them for lack 
of letters from us, which unfortunately are still at Dunkirk or were 
thrown overboard. He writes that we should have the duffels 
made somewhat wider and heavier, so that it is necessary that we 
come together at the first opportunity to discuss the matter. Please 
to communicate this to Mr de laet together with my greetings. We 
are at hand here and can suit the convenience of the others. As 
to the previous request to declare myself more in detail regarding 
the patroonship, I referred you to the sixth article of the Free- 
doms, in which all our questions and disputes are decided and re- 
moved, to wit, that all lands purchase 1 and lying within the limits 
of our colony, together with all the fruits, plants, minerals, rivers 
and springs thereof, belong to the participants in common, each in 
proportion to his share, hut as to what the patroon holds in fief, 



**V. R. B. Mss, Later Book, f.i 35 . 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 521 

this belongs to him separately and alone, the fees to be paid on 
each demise being also at his charge. I have never shared my right 
with any one of my participants, they have never asked me for it 
and there has never been any discussion about it with any of the 
participants. By what means could I then be deprived of it? I 
will gladly listen to reason but I declare in truth that I never 
heard any reason or can think of any that would deprive me of my 
prerogative, which belongs to me alone, and make it common to all. 
This is impossible, for even if I wanted I could not give it to my 
own children, for the article in the new Freedoms which allows 
the division of the jurisdiction is not found in ours, so that even if 
I should want to try it I could not find any ground to justify it. If 
a girl can lose her honor without being touched, I can lose my 
feudal right without having spoken a word about it or ever having 
given it a thought. As to what some say, that Mr Cocnradts under- 
stands it that way also, I am sure that his honor will not say any- 
thing but what is true, but the answers depend often on the way the 
questions are put. Mr de laet took over his honor's share ; let Mr 
de laet show a document from his hand whereby his honor declares 
that any part or parcel of my right of patroonship belonged to him 
and that he ceded the same to Mr de laet. (His honor knows very 
well that there were four patroons, each of whom registered in his 
own name at a different time, and that later we agreed to combine 
not by way of consolidation but by way of alliance, each patroon 
respectively participating for one fifth with the others in the three 
other patroonships. The truth of what I say appears clearly, 
namely that there were four patroons and each patroon had three 
partners, each of whom owned a fifth share under him and held 
respectively [each in his own colony] the same position [toward 
him as he did toward them], for it is impossible that five shares 
should constitute but four patroonships unless one portion be with- 
out a patroon, or else not a single whole patroonship be found but 
each of the five shares have but 4/5 of a patroonship, to sustain 
which of course would be ri liculous. Now it is beyond dispute 
that Mr de laett can not have taken over from Mr Coenradus more 
than his honor owned himself, being one fifth share in each of the 
three respective colonies. But, if Mr dc laet claims to be a patroon, 
his honor is right, not of or in my colony however, but in full over 
the colony registered by Mr cocnract himself on the first of No- 
vember 1629 on the east side of the South Bay, just as Mr blom- 
maert on the Fresh River, so that each one is and must remain 



5 22 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

patroon and feudal lord of his colony and I of mine. Here, mon- 
sieur Mussart, you have the analysis of the whole undertaking from 
the beginning, with which I hope that you as well as Mr dc laet 
and the other participants will be satisfied and rest assured, as all 
sensible and neutral persons will judge, that each tenth part is 50^ 
better off having one head to take care of it than it would be if it 
were ruled by five or 10 heads, for if many heads became sleepy 
and trusted to one another to do the work the whole would be 
lost; on the other hand, if they became wide awake and each one 
extended his interests too far, there would be endless intrigues and 
dissensions and the whole undertaking would go to ruin. I con- 
sider each tenth part 50^ better off and I sustain this not for my 
sake because I am patroon and because I have brought the under- 
taking thus far by my efforts and work, but I would sustain the 
same if I were simply participating under Mr dc laet or any one 
else who had charge of the patroonship, provided the patroon is 
held to render proper accounts to the participants, not to demand 
contributions according to his pleasure but with their consent and 
in all matters to consult them like confraters. 

I shall now leave the matter, with the understanding however that 
I do not want to prejudice any of the participants in anything 
that belongs to them and that I am willing and ready to prove and 
confirm and defend my patroonship and feudal right before any 
court or competent body of people before whom the participants 
might please to summon me, and more I can not do. 

But this is my wish and request that we may deliberate together 
in harmony, love and good fellowship and that I may be seconded 
by the help and good advice of my coparticipants, for I can say in 
truth that I have never been able to obtain this from Mr dc laet, 
not merely for a few but for many successive years, notwithstanding 
my repeated requests that his honor would be pleased to take the 
trouble to examine such papers as were sent out and received and 
to assist me with his good advice ; nor have I ever been able to 
learn that his honor, either in the Assembly of the XIX, or in the 
Chamber of Amsterdam, or before their High Mightinesses, has 
sought to recommend or to promote the cause of our colony, but 
this I found to my sorrow that his honor seldom or never called 
on me except to inquire about rarities or to ask me for some copy or 
document, just as if the colony did not concern his honor in the 
least. And when lately the undertaking through God's blessing and 
my trouble, care and management began to look promising, I sent 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 523 

the aforesaid participants a list of subjects for discussion at a stated 
meeting; but when we came together these subjects placed in their 
hands by my own hand were not discussed at all and not even pro- 
duced, indeed they would almost have pretended ignorance of them 
if I had not insisted on the urgency of their being taken up in 
connection with the letter from Messrs blommant and de laet of 
which I wrote you at length on a previous occasion ; and since that 
time they have never come together except for the sake of Lucifer's 
question, 83 they state difficulties which might occur in the future in 
order to curtail me in what at present and rightly belongs to me 
and, what is more, band together against me by withholding assess- 
ments for which the money was furnished by' me long ago ; with 
this I do not charge you, as you paid me promptly, but the three 
others. This matter however has no connection with the previous 
question, for I do not refuse but have at all times offered and been 
willing to render a true account of my receipts and expenditures 
and to lay open the entire condition and situation of the colony, 
yes, more than I have been asked to do. 

Here I let this matter rest, having in the above lines stated and 
proved my contention and sufficiently protected myself in case of 
opposition and, I think, hereby acquitted myself of my task con- 
scientiously and properly in the judgment of God, of all courts and 
of all honest people. Neither do I intend to go further into this 
matter without hearing other arguments, for I have written a great 
deal but received no written reply except copies of propositions tend- 
ing to the division and consequent dissolution of the colony and the 
patroonship. I acknowledge that I talk too long and too much but, 
when I think of the trouble which I had for others and how I re- 
ceive nothing but opposition in return, I do not know how to bal- 
ance my labor against the ingratitude shown me. This was on my 
heart and had to get out. Further, monsz Muijssart, in order that 
the things which are beyond question may not be neglected but 
properly attended to, I beg and request you once more, let us come 
together to attend to and put them in order (excluding Lucifer), 
for the affairs of the colony look so promising both with regard to 
the fruits of the land, as wheat, rye, oats and other summer grain, 
and with regard to the tobacco and other things, especially the fur 
trade, (hat by and by we may expect more returns than one might 
think. I will therefore in all friendship beg and request the Honor- 
able de Laet and yourself to have a peaceful meeting at the first 



83 om de sake -ran lucifers qucslic; for the sake of rivalry; on account of jealousy. 



524 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

opportunity to attend to whatever is beyond dispute and in case I 
can not in good conscience satisfy you all, I hope that a basis such 
as I indicated above may be adopted for me whereby the profits 
which are beyond dispute may be attended to, the easiest means that 
can be found, namely, the preservation of my right under protest, 
being all that is necessary and that is the least I can do. I hope to 
receive a favorable reply to this from you and Mr de Laet at the 
first opportunity as the time is getting short, especially for the 
making of the duffels so as to have them ready in time. It will 
be better to have our meeting in a week than in two weeks ; how- 
ever, you can therein suit your convenience. Vale. 

Sr Muijssart. When convenient please have inquiry made through 
Mr de laet or some one else regarding a young man, called vandcr 
donck, from the barony of brcda, who has studied law at Leyden 
and is desirous of attempting something connected with farming 
in our colony; and if there are no serious charges against his char- 
acter, as one can not always get the best to go thither, we might 
employ him also in some other capacity. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Jonkheer Gerrit van Arnhem 84 

January 29, 16 41 

Joncker Gerrit Van Anthem, deputy to [the assembly of] the High 
and Mighty Lords the States General, at the Hague 

29 January 1641 
1 raving in October 1639 on the wise counsel of your honor re- 
solved to withhold my remonstrance to their High Mightinesses 
as the said High Mightinesses might perhaps have seen fit to send 
;i copy of it to the West India Company, I decided in November 
following to request of the presiding Chamber of Amsterdam a 
grant of Vcnia testandi in order to confirm the rights which I 
had obtained to my colony. 85 Having obtained their consent as 
shown by the accompanying authentic copy attached to my peti- 
tion to their High Mightinesses and considering on the one hand 
the uncertainty of human life and [on the other] the changes 
which occur among the directors, in order that I or my family 
might easily obtain the further approval of their High Mighti- 



**V.R. B. Mss, Letter nook. {.137b. 

■• Venia testandi was granted by the Chamber of Amsterdam Nov. 14, 16.50; approved 
by llu- States General Feb. 5, 1641. See p. 537. 



J, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 525 

nesses, I have thought it advisable to request them by petition, 
(referring them to the fifth article SG according to which their High 
Mightinesses are supreme in jurisdiction and sovereignty, their 
High Mightinesses occupying the highest position and the West 
India Company the next position, being second to them) not to 
refuse to ratify the same nor to delay it in any way, as at my 
death the young children might thus be completely deprived of 
what I should leave them by will. And as I do not know which 
is the best way to present this petition nor whether it is in proper 
form, I take the liberty to hand it to you by the bearer and to 
request you, after reading it over, to advise me what I had better 
do in the matter. I do not doubt its success, but much depends 
upon the manner of proceeding. Should your honor ; think it 
advisable to hand it yourself to the president when a good oppor- 
tunity offers I should be exceedingly honored ; and if not, I should 
like your advice as to who should do it for me. I could easily ob- 
tain some favor or recommendation from the son of my cousin 87 
Casembroot, the brother in law of Secretary rawte, 88 and have the 
petition presented by his honor if that is customary, which I doubt 
however as he must sign the apostil thereon. And if his honor 
please to do me the favor to affix the small seal of their High 
Mightinesses, I would gladly pay liberally for the pen, ink and 
wax. However, as I am ignorant of these matters I shall follow 
whatever advice your honor may please to give me, as you know 
best what is the customary fee in such cases. I beg of you very 
kindly and request very humbly to let me have a few lines of your 
honor's good advice and to hand the same when convenient to the 
bearer. I received by the last ship a first instalment of beaver skins 
.or castors, but they are still in the ship ; when I get them I hope to 
remember your honor as the protector of my first fruits, or in case 
your honor's wife should have use for a good sized border of sable 
which I received from Muscovy I will send that to her honor for 
a New Year's present. Vale. 



86 Of the Freedoms and .Exemptions, granted June 7, i6_>o. 

R " nicht; female cousin or niece. 

88 Cornells Johannes Musch, secretary of the States General. According to a note in 
Oeuvres computes dc Christiaan Huygens, 3:179, J an van Casembroot, the son of 
Councilor Jan Leonard van Casembroot and of Anna Schadee, became quartermaster 
general of the navy and married Cornelia Musch. This Jan van Casembroot, or Jan 
de Casembroot, as the name is usually written, is probably the brother in law of Secretary 
Musch referred to in the text. 



5 2 6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I do not doubt but the lord of rinswouw 8 ® and the 
other gentlemen who request new freedoms will also be 
favorable to me in this matter, that there may be no 
delay or obstacle, the Company having paved the way. 

Sir, as the English from the North approach my colony from 
the Fresh River so that they can get there over land in two or 
three days and as I should like to defend the limits of my colony, 
under the supreme jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses and 
the Company, as far as the Freedoms granted to me allow, par- 
ticularly article 5, which says " and so far into the country as the 
situation of the occupants will permit," my situation demands that 
the English (who have without cause taken the aforesaid Fresh 
River from the Company, of which I see that the Company takes 
little notice so that I must pay all the closer attention to what 
belongs to me) that the English must remain at least on the further 
east side of the aforesaid Fresh River. 90 And in case their High. 
Mightinesses should be pleased, in view of the Company's interest 
with regard to the entire North River on which I occupy the 
farthest position, to grant me proper commission to extend my 
colony into the country from the North to the Fresh River, that 
is to say not wider than my colony extends on that side, I would not 
hesitate to force a certain master pingen, 9i an Englishman who is 
nearest to me, to retreat across the Fresh River, whereby the other 
Englishmen of the Fresh River will also be compelled not to 
come nearer to the Company, for if the English continue thus they 
will soon take possession of the whole of New Netherland, as the 
Company dues little to cmne to a determination of the boundary, 
which is generally, it is true, a rather troublesome question. How- 
ever, if their High Mightinesses declared the limits of my colony 
to extend to the west side of the Fresh River, it would be but a 
private boundary and not affect the general limits which the Com- 
pany can defend as covering not only the entire Fresh River but 
even 30 miles further eastward into the country. T shall hold fast 
to my end and let the English try to settle the boundary them- 
selves, if your honor thinks that, inasmuch as the welfare of the 
country is also concerned in this matter, their High Mightinesses 
will have no objection to it. I am willing to go to the Hague to 



"" Johan van Reede, lord of Renswoude. 

00 The paragraph to this point is in the handwriting of Kiliacn van Rensselaer. 

01 William Pynchon, in 1636, established a settlement in Agawam, now Springfield, 
Mass. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 527 

lay the matter before their High Mightinesses, for I notice that 
the English on the one side an:l the Swedes on the other encroach 
on the limits of the Company and take away their land. They 
might better grant it to the subjects of their High Mightinesses than 
to foreign nations and potentates. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 1 ' 2 

January 31, 1641 

Toussaiu Muyssart, at Leyden 

This 31st of January 1641 
The young man from Breda of whom I wrote you last, named 
vanderdonck, from the barony of Breda, called on me today and 
requests to contract for two or three families of farmers, from 
whom he has power of attorney which he showed me, to sail to 
our colony in New Netherland on conditions that for us are better 
than or at least equally as good as those we have made before. 
If you have made inquiry about him, as he studied at Leyden, please 
advise me of it at once, as he would like to return at the first op- 
portunity ; otherwise he goes to the lord of liorst^ to whom our 
louys Saumou, mentioned before, is also inclined to go. If this 
young man is of good moral character, it would be a good thing 
for us. Vale. 



" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i38b. 

03 de heere vander hors' ; apparently referring to the lord of Nederhorst, one of the 
proprietors of the colony of Achter Col, which was granted to Meyndert Meyndertsen 
van Keren and which extended along the west bank of the Hudson River from about 
Caldwell, Rockland County. N. Y., to near Hoboken, N. J.; see N. Y. Col. Mss 2:8s. §9; 
Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist, N. Y. 1:190, 411; 13:9; De Vries, Korte Historiael, p. 165-66; 
and van der Donck's map of New Netherland. In the absence of any direct evidence, 
it may be doubted whether O'Callaghan (Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y. 2 1516) is correct 
in stating that the proprietor of the colony of Achter Col was Gerard van Reede, lord of 
Nederhorst, a son of C.odard van Reede, plenipotentiary at the peace of Munster. Godard 
van Reede, who in the biographical dictionaries appears also as lord of Nederhorst, died 
in 1648 and presumably his son Gerard succeeded to the title in that year; any mention 
therefore of the lord of Nederhorst in 1641 would seem to refer to Godard and not 
to Gerard van Reede. O'Callaghan's earlier statement (History of New Netherland. 
1:238) that a colony "of which Meyndert Meyndertsen, the Heer Nederhorst, was 
patroon," was established early in 1641 — -slightly modified by Brodhead (History of the 
State of New York, 1:313), who speaks of Myndert Myndersen van der Horst — evi- 
dently rests on a confusion of persons. 

Nederhorst, a lordship in the former Nederkwartier of the province of Utrecht, now 
the southeast part of the province of North Holland, was so named to distinguish it 
from Hoogcrhorst, or Ter Ilorst, near Amersfoort, in the former Qverkwartier of the 
province of ftp 1 lit 



528 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet 114 

February 4, 1641 

Jo ha 11 de Lac it, at Ley den 

In Amsterdam, this 4th of February 1641 
I duly received your honor's favor of the 29th lilt, under cover 
from S r Muijssart and learned with joy that your honor was satis- 
fied with one part of my declaration, though you request a further 
explanation from me of others which seemed objectionable to your 
honor. Nothing- will please me more than that we may give each 
other satisfaction, but as far as I am concerned, during the 40 years 
that I have lived here I have never had any suit brought against 
me either here in this city or at The Hague on account of my per- 
sonal management, nor have I talked with any one about our affairs, 
as I notice has been done on the other side, except with those who 
made some propositions to me and to whom I did not fear to state 
the matter as it was. I see that the difficulty which your honor 
raises has reference to the freedom of your honor's person and is 
set forth in a lengthy argument. I never intended nor has it ever 
entered my mind to let my own person, or you or any one else, 
prevail in a way that would imply subjection, so that from the 
outset you are under great misapprehension and according to my 
mind, to give your honor any satisfaction in this matter, this dis- 
tinction must be made that owning property is something entirely 
different [from having the administration of itj. The partici- 
pants of the West India Company have the ownership but the 
administration or direction belongs to the directors, with certain 
reservations agreed upon between the directors and chief partici- 
pants by way of amplification of the charter. All the land in our 
colony together with the fruits thereof belongs to the participants 
equally, each in proportion to his share, but the administration or 
direction belongs to the patroori : and herein we respectively share 1 
in such a way that I trusted to some one else the administration 
or direction of my money and goods and thai person trusted h\> to 
mc in return and if we had remained on that basis we should all 
four of us have had the same privileges. What difference can i': 
make to me that others make a change herein, as for instance 
that Mr Godyn, retaining but the bare name of patroon, per- 
mitted as many as ten people to share in the management, where- 



»*V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 3 8b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 529 

upon the business ran into great expense on account of the many 
directors, one wanting this and another something else, and had 
to be sold at a loss of f4.o,oco? What difference does it make to 
me that the Hon. Coenradws also sold and ceded his colony with 
its appurtenances ; or what difference can it make to me that Mr 
blommart never began or developed his? Shall I, who have 
usually been vigilant and diligent in my management, be deprived 
of my powers, and do my partners who have either sold or not cared 
for their rights now want to enter upon mine? This is without 
reason and ought not to be asked by any one. And as to the 
fidelity of my management I have stated with sufficient clearness 
that it is not my intention to make the participants contribute, more 
than they please and see fit and have also submitted to the request 
to render detailed accounts so that I make myself less rather than 
more important than any one else. However, as I feel sure that 
this will not remove your objection I shall proceed to the second 
part relating to the colony. Above I spoke of the participants 
who are on an equal basis each in proportion to his share and of 
the management which belongs to the patroon provided he is obliged 
to render proper accounts ; it is a question which part is the more 
important. Leaving aside for the present the administration or 
management of the use and ownership of the property, I am com- 
pelled to refer to the jurisdiction or judicature of the colony and 
I notice that there is a great misapprehension on this subject which 
might have serious consequences, namely, that persons are supposed 
to be subject in the same sense as their estates may be. One can 
have a free or a dependent or, taking it at its worst, a servile es- 
tate but it does not follow that a free person on account of that 
dependent estate becomes a serf. So that, sir, the fear which your 
honor has of losing his freedom does not give the least cause for 
argument or worry, though it is true that in my colony I have the 
management of your honor's property, as in similar circumstances 
your honor would have had like power over mine if you or the 
Hon. Cocnradus had cared to keep your colony as I did mine. If 
I have anything special at present it is but what your honor would 
have had too, namely, the management of the property and the 
exercise of justice in the colony. Heretofore I have spoken of the 
property. I shall now speak also of the administration of justice 
which only those are competent to exercise who are specially 
authorized to do so either by virtue of descent from their fore- 
fathers or by grant from competent authorities. As with us the 



530 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

right was not acquired by descent we must look for a grant and 
see from whom and how it was acquired. The first place belongs 
to their High Mightinesses the Lords States General. The second 
to the Chartered West India Company by charter. The third to 
the patroons by perpetual fief. Now what has the company 
granted? The ownership of the land? Not at all, for by article 
26 they stipulate that the patroons must compensate the savages 
for the land, so that the ownership does not proceed from a gift 
pure and simple but from purchase, in which many can participate. 
But this the Company granted, namely, according to article 6, 
" the high, middle and low jurisdiction, fishing, fowling and grind- 
ing^ 5 to the exclusion of all others to be holden from the Company 
as a perpetual inheritance " and this is what I am entitled to in my 
colony and others in theirs. I do not dare write here all I think 
of it; however, we must give each other all the information we 
can. It seems to me, sir, that, though I never noticed you to do 
so [in other matters], you on the contrary confound what the 
whole world distinguishes between, namely, ownership and juris- 
diction, for many millions of people have ownership in land over 
which but one has jurisdiction or is judge; it is true that in this 
country there are combinations of jurisdiction, especially in stich.t?" 
but this is the result of their union in one person. Besides, here 
in Holland fiefs are rare and unusual, but in Gelderland they are 
common and there are fiefs of all kinds and of all forms of succes- 
sion, for instance the duke of Gelderland is the overlord of the 
lady of elten 97 and the abbot of patcrborn:^ From this lady and 
the abbot respectively I hold fiefs, but without jurisdiction, 
nevertheless my fiefs have subfiefs so that people of quality who 
hold the highest offices there must pay me rents of small value; 
however, for so far as these estates themselves proceed from me, 
would a nobleman have the less freedom or respect because he must 
pay me rent? In no wise, therefore, is your honor's freedom de- 
pendent on me, even though your honor's property lies within m_\ 
jurisdiction, the less so as \ should have had property of the 
same kind under your honor's jurisdiction if things had taken their 
proper course. -Therefore, sir, do not dispute my perpetual fief of 
inheritance which costs none of my participants a penny; but if it 



" 1 rnderlined in Letter / ; 
M The Bishopric of Utrecht. 

07 de vrouwe van cltcv; the abbess of the former convent "f llmii Kitm. mi iiir Elten- 
berg, near Emmerich, Rhine province, Prussia. 
98 Paderborn; province of Westphalia, Prussia, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 531 

please you and the other con f raters I will speak not only of you or 
the other persons, to each of whom I leave his full prerogative, 
but so far as the land or property there is concerned, I will speak 
also of myself and what proceeds from my perpetual fief and shall 
show that it has more features, be they what they may, than you or 
any one else of the confraters suppose, and this the more so in 
consideration of the several children which the Lord has given me, 
about whom I have said and written enough. But as long as 
your honor or the others, no matter who it may be, dispute my per- 
petual fief, it is but reasonable that your honor show me some 
ground for it either verbally or by written instrument, for without 
that I do not know on what tack we sail. At first there were four 
of us who were patroons, now there is but one person ; at first 
there were five shares among us, thereafter four shares, then again, 
five shares, and now there are 10 shares and by death there might 
easily be 20, 40, 80 or even smaller shares and if every share made 
the same claims as the 10 shares do at present, what would become 
of the management and the administration of justice. Examine the 
matter well, sir ; the 80 shares would have the same reason to act 
against me that the 10 shares now have, for the smaller share has 
as much right as the larger share, unless some shares had certain 
specific rights, which will not appear. But your honors may rest 
assured, not for the sake of your honors' persons but for the sake 
of the property aforementioned, there are several territories and 
lordships in the colony and I shall gladly yield as much as I can 
but I do not intend that one tenth share shall have more than low 
jurisdiction and two tenth shares together, Or one fifth, more than 
middle jurisdiction, otherwise the jurisdiction which is derived from 
the Lord God would give rise to despotism. The tribes of Israel 
descended from the twelve patriarchs never had more than one 
judge at a time in the promised land of Canaan. I am sorry that T 
have to bring up such an example, for our colony is still so tender 
and it will be so long before it can be called a village, 90 or even a 
hamlet, 1 that it will sooner be divided into 80 portions. However, 
as it has pleased the Assembly of the Nineteen to lay such founda- 
tion, I hope and think I know what has been given me and, be it 
said without boasting, that I understand my rights but I pray God 
that He will grant me the intelligence to exercise and maintain 
them. Although for a long time I have not thought about the 



» dorp. 
■ gelmcht. 



532 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

granting of the said privileges the matter is so definitely settled that 
in all the violent altercations which took place about the affairs of 
New Netherland it has never been disputed. It is true that Mr 
Coenradus never wanted to accept the said articles but his honor 
never tried to get away from them except by transferring his pos- 
sessions. The Lord our God be judge between us and as for my- 
self I am satisfied that I do not keep more than belongs to me and 
have never ceded anything to any one, and if your honor and the 
other three do not desire more than belongs to them either, our 
difference will soon be settled. If you will satisfy me on some 
points, I will show that I am neither obstinate nor too ignorant to 
give you satisfaction on others and in yielding my rights, with the 
exception of placing the management of the colony in the hands of 
many, show myself to be as willing as can possibly be asked from 
me. I must ask your honor a question which you have so often 
asked of me, namely how I understand the right of patroon- 
ship. How does your honor understand it? Must each fifth part 
as it was at the time of Mr Coenradus, or each fourth part as it 
became later, or each tenth part as is is now, or each still smaller 
part as it might become by sale or death, be consulted in the man- 
agement of the property as well as in the administration of justice? 
And how must it go in case none of the participants have any sons 
or daughters? The inexpediency thereof will appear at once, so 
that each colony must necessarily have a single administrator of 
property which can be inherited and owned and which may be 
divided and subdivided among sons and daughters ad infinitum. 
( >ii the other hand, if the administration of justice could also be 
divided like the preceding so that many hundreds of people could 
have a share in the administration of justice, it ought to be re- 
stricted by special regulation. It is true that each colony might as- 
sume the form of a company of ship freighters or he put on the 
basis of tlie West India Company so that a certain number of chief 
participants or land owners would nominate the administrators 
from whom the company must elect a certain number. These 
nominators however would have to be limited to a certain number, 
otherwise one would have to meet new difficulties with regard to 
succession in case of death. [The Company], understanding this, 
entirely barred the way to all subdivision of jurisdiction by thus 
far not allowing any ownership of jurisdiction (so that no one in 
case of subdivision could make any pretension thereto) but de- 
cided to have the same administered and to grant it in fief, as the 
second part of article 6 shows as clearly as the light of the sun at 



VAN RENSSELAER. BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 533 

midday. The Company not desiring to give to the government of 
the colony many heads, states that the patroon, of whom mention 
is made in the preceding article, shall hold the high, middle and 
low jurisdiction from the Company to the exclusion of all others 2 
(not as an estate of inheritance but) as an imperishable fief of in- 
heritance, subject to homage, 2 and this so strictly that if the pa- 
troon should want to will any part thereof to his children or heirs 
(having no power to do so during his lifetime and such action 
taking effect only after his death) he must during his lifetime re- 
quest a grant to do so. The provision in the new draft of the 
Freedoms that the high jurisdiction may be divided will not readily 
pass if the high and mighty government of this country properly 
see to it; but taking it for granted that those who are interested 
should obtain it, what would it mean? Would it be for the best 
interest of this country, or the best interest of the Company, or the 
best interest of the colony or the participants? Not at all; but for 
that of the patroon s who seek to obtain it and whose birth gives 
them a right to be called to a seat in the Provincial States when 
they have such right of jurisdiction, so that a patroon who had six 
sons and who should confer the high jurisdiction on each of them, 
could recommend one to a seat in the States General, another in 
the Council of State, and the rest in the Provincial States, the 
representation of the nobility, and so on. If your honor thinks 
that these articles have reference to the participants, I can not find 
that as they are drafted at present the participants are in any way 
concerned in them, but their children and heirs, provided they also 
apply for a grant to transmit their jurisdiction. However our 
Freedoms are not so worded, so that it is unnecessary to speak 
thereof. And as the 7th article is not so limited that it precludes 
the patroon from including others therein and I have already ob- 
tained a consent or grant from the Company to dispose of the said 
fiefs by will according to my pleasure I am willing to make such 
disposition (not as a matter of obligation, but of my own free will) 
as to enfief my participants, that is to say, the fifth shares or each 
two tenth shares, just as my own chil f ren, other than the patroon, 
with the middle and low jurisdiction, fishing, fowling and grinding, 
to be divided respectively among the five lordships within the 
colony so that the patroon will in the first place keep the high juris- 
diction and also retain in one of the five lordships the middle and 
low jurisdiction and further — as two of his brothers, as well as 
two of his participants, are counted by me each as one fifth share, 



2 Underlined in Letter Book. 



534 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

for the sale of one half of their right does not concern me — cede 
by way of fief to each in the lordship to be selected by him middle 
and low jurisdiction, fishing, fowling and grinding inclusive, sub- 
ject to a fee of fio, whenever the fief descends or changes hands. 
And further it is inadvisable, even impossible, to go; for if we 
made some agreement, contrary to the Freedoms of the colony, 
no matter how much I might grant or promise your honor or the 
other participants, believe me, sir, none of these promises could be 
kept no matter how firmly I bound myself to fulfil them, unless a 
special article to that effect (not a set of new freedoms, for these 
the other patroons could not oblige me to request) were inserted 
in the Freedoms by the Assembly of the XIX, at my request as 
fief holder, granted by the Assembly of the XIX and approved by 
their High Mightinesses who have acknowledged me as patroon. 
In this way it would have to and could be done and not otherwise, 
except by testamentary disposition according to article 7 afore- 
mentioned, by way of subfiefs. 

Sir, I have treated this matter somewhat more fully than was 
necessary for the sake of giving you as much satisfaction as pos- 
sible and I have taken this trouble to show you that I on my side 
am willing to do ail I can to exclude Lucifer, and if it is not stated 
as neatly as it might have been, it has flown this way from my 
pen in haste, without consulting anyone but a certain person 3 
who studied up to the time of taking his degree. Having got into 
an argument about feudal rights, he replied that the professors at 
Leyden had said that they seldom occur in Holland and that it 
was useless to waste one's time on them. Excuse me, sir, if I 
notice in your honor's letters that you confound the management 
of the property with the administration of justice, which are dis- 
tinguished from each other by the Freedoms, the first being made 
heritable, so that a last of grain might be divided into quantities 
not larger than a thimbleful, while on the other hand the adminis- 
tration of justice is made, not many-headed, but single-headed and, 
furthermore, not a single-headed administration transmissible by 
descent, but a perpetual fief which must pay homage to its lord 
and acknowledge him in other ways such as are reserved to the 
High Mightinesses the Lords States General and the Company 
from the patroons by article 5. The expression "high jurisdic- 
tion " is used here by mistake, as this is conferred on the patroons 
by article 6. It should be " supreme jurisdiction," having refer- 
ence to sovereignty. 



■ Probably Adriacn van der Donck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 535 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 4 

February 5, 1641 

Toussain Muyssart, at Leyden 

5 February 1641 
Enclosed I send a letter to Mr dc laet in which I have set forth 
in haste yet at length not only the reasons but also the fundamental 
principles, as well of the management as of the administration of 
justice, upon which the Assembly of the XIX have granted the 
respective colonies, the management and administration of the 
property being accountable and communicable to the participants 
or owners of the said colonies, while the administration of justice 
is held by the respective persons as a perpetual fief from the Com- 
pany. I am sorry that my conf raters have not done as I have done ; 
they would then have the management of my property in the same 
way as I have now the management of theirs and they would see 
that their interests were equally well cared for. As I have stated at 
all times orally and in writing and as I now again declare to Mr dc 
laet, I am willing to render proper accounts to the participants and to 
advise with them about everything. As far as the administration of 
justice is concerned it is out of pure affection that I reserve to my- 
self the high jurisdiction, in order to keep the colony in one hand 
and under one head as a protection against all injurious separation 
and subdivision. To each fifth part might be given middle and low 
jurisdiction under payment of a fee of fio whenever the fief de- 
scends. And if they should want to subdivide these fifth shares 
still further, each fifth share might grant by way of subfief a tenth 
share with stipulation of the payment of a fee of f5 whenever the 
fief descends, while retaining the low and middle jurisdiction, for 
I can not understand how a fifth share consisting, of two tenths 
shares could administer the middle and low jurisdiction except by 
their taking turns, and how would that go in the future? But 
according to the preceding arrangement there will always be one 
who administers the high jurisdiction in general, while there will 
be five participants who by right of descent administer middle and 
low jurisdiction, which is a good arrangement. Now as far as I 
am concerned, I do not care which twentieth share is to have the 
middle and low jurisdiction, whether one cares to cede to another 
or they draw lots for it ; it amounts to the same thing to me, I like 
the one as well as the other. 



* V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, i.i^ih. 



536 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Further, Mouse'' Muijssart, I am glad to hear the good testimony 
about the young man who left some clays ago and proceeds with his 
plan. I hope that we will get goo;l service from him but if you 
should hear anything to the contrary, please let me know. I am 
anxious that we should come together some time to talk about the 
merchandise which we are to send and also about having the duffels 
made somewhat wider, heavier and more woolly than the preceding. 
We shall receive more than twice as much for them not by getting 
more skins but by getting the largest and the best. I am sorry that 
the survey of the land in our colony by lamontangne was not com- 
pleted. I forgot to write about it and therefore Cornells Tcuiicsscn, 
whom I appointed as the representative of the patroon and the par- 
ticipants, objected to it and I can not blame him either that he did 
not allow this without order from his patroon, for it might have 
serious consequences, as one participant might give different orders 
from another. I did not think of this when you read the letter to 
me and it appears that the servants pay more attention to their 
duties than the masters. I think, however, that he refused this 
largely on his own account, as he has always stated that the lands 
are smaller than they really are. I will see to this at the first 
opportunity. It would have been better if you had given me a 
recommendation to la montangne to help me in this matter pro- 
vided I paid him for it and that I had requested and authorized him 
to carry it into effect. It seems to me his charges are pretty high, 
making a voyage of six weeks out of what in good seasons with a 
small vessel can be done in six days. I presume however that his 
survey took that length of time. 1 am surprised that Corneles 
teunissen did not write anything about it. Vale. 

Resolution of the States General empowering Kiliaen van Rens- 
selaer to dispose of his fief of Rensselaerswyck by will r ' 

February 5, 16 ji 

Clein Segel Copy 

2st Extract Erom the register of resolutions of 

[signed] /: V: lisse the Nigh and Mighty Lords the States Gen- 
eral of the United Netherlands 
Tuesday the 5th of February 1(141 

There was read in the assembly the petition presented to their 
High Mightinesses in the name and on behalf of Kiliaen -'ran 



8 V. R. B. Mss 19, marked lliiij. Translation revised from Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. 
N. Y. 1:124. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 53/ 

Rensselaer, patroon of his colony named Rensselaerswyck, situated 
on the North River of New Netherland, praying approval of a cer- 
tain order entered hy the Chamber of the West India Company sit- 
uated in Amsterdam, the 14th of November 1639, on the margin of 
the petitioner's request to be allowed according to the seventh article 
of the Freedoms granted to the colonists in New Netherland afore- 
said to dispose of his, the petitioner's, fief or estate of inheritance 
referred to in the sixth article of the said Freedoms. Where- 
upon after deliberation and consideration of the fifth article of the 
above mentioned Freedoms, the'r High Mightinesses instead of the 
aforesaid approval by him prayed for have granted and allowed the 
petitioner Veniam testandi, in order to enable him to dispose by 
last will, according to his pleasure, of the aforesaid fief of inherit- 
ance or feudal estate, whereof letters patent in due form shall issue 
to the petitioner. Bebw was written : Agrees with the aforesai 1 
register. And was signed: Corn Musch 1641. 

Concordat hacc Copia cum suo Onginah 

Quod attestor infrascriptus notarius Publicus 

Amstelodami residens A 13 Mayus A. 1641. 

[signed] /; vandc Ven 

nots Pub. 



- vll l 
A°. —L- J 641 



Letters patent empowering Kiliaen Rensselaer to dispose of his 
fief cf Rensselaerswyck by will 13 

Feburary 5, 16 41 

The States General of the United Netherlands, to all who shall 
see these presents or hear them read, greeting. Be it known, that 
on the humble petition of Kiliaen ran Rensselaer, patroon of his 
colony named Rensselaerswyck, situated on the North River of New 
Netherland, within the limits of the General Chartered West India 
Company of this country and taking into consideration the fifth 
article of the Freedoms, granted by the Assembly of the XIX of 
said Company to all those who shall plant any colonies in New 
Netherland aforesaid, we have granted, allowed and conce !e 1, and 
do of our sovereign power by these our letters patent grant, allow 



6 V. R. B. Mss 20. Parchment, 32x67 cm. Translation revised from Doc. rel. to Col. 
Hist. N. Y. 1:124. 



53^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and concede unto him, the petitioner, authority to dispose of, be- 
queath, and give directions concerning the aforesaid his fief, named 
Rensselaerswyck, either by form of last will and testament and 
codicil before a notary and witnesses, superintendents and commis- 
sioners of fiefs within whose jurisdiction the said property is situate, 
or elsewhere and otherwise at his pleasure, for the behoof of his 
children, if he has any, friends and relatives or others, strangers, as 
he shall please and think proper; the aforesaid, his fief to his child- 
ren or other persons to give, convey, or leave, in whole or in part ; 
thereupon to charge rents, hereditary or for life, or to give any 
one the usufruct thereof, at his discretion and good pleasure. We 
have further given, and do hereby give, the petitioner permission 
and power to change, enlarge, diminish and revoke his aforesaid 
last will and testament which he shall thus make, or has previously 
made, by codicil or other arrangement of last will, whenever and 
at all times that he shall please ; which testament, gift and order thus 
made, or to be made, by the petitioner, we now, for them, have con- 
firmed and ratified, and by these our letters patent do confirm and 
ratify, and will that it be maintained and executed, and be valid 
and of good effect forever, and that to whomsoever the aforesaid 
petitioner has given the said fief, or a portion thereof, or assigned 
any rents or usufruct thereof, he shall use the same according to the 
laws, statutes and customs of the place wherein situated, in the 
same manner, and in all forms and ways as if the said gifts or 
grants were properly made and executed before the above mentioned 
( General Company, or others, its agents. Provided, that to whom- 
soever the above named petitioner shall give, order, or make over 
the aforesaid fief, whether man or woman, he shall be bound, 
within a year and six weeks after the death of the aforesaid pe- 
titioner, or his or her entrance into possession of the above described 
fief, to do homage unto us and to no one else, and pay the Ices 
thereunto appertaining and belonging, all without fraud, guile or 
crafl. Wherefore we do request and order the aforementioned 
General Chartered West India Company to instruct and command 
the governors, or commanders and council, who now are, or shall 
hereafter be in New Netherland, and moreover all others whom it 
may in any wise concern, conjointly and each individually as it may 
behoove them, to maintain an 1 execute according to its form and 
tenor the order, last will and testament of the above name 1 pe- 
titioner, as he shall have made, or yet shall make it (and as now by 
us ratified and confirmed as said above") ; and to allow and permit 



VAN RENSSELAER E0WIER MANUSCRIPTS 539 

whomsoever he, by his last will and testament, has given and granted 
the aforesaid fief, or shall have made, assigned, or shall yet make, 
give or assign, any rents or usufructs, the quiet and peaceable use 
and enjoyment thereof, without causing or allowing him at any 
time to experience any let, hindrance or molestation therein to the 
contrary. Given under our seal, paraph and the signature of our 
secretary, at the Hague, on the fifth of February, sixteen hundred 
and forty one. 

[signed | P r O Lijcan?* V % 
1641 
[Seal of the United Netherlands] By order of the aforesaid 

the honorable Lords the States 
General 
[signed] Corn Musch 
1641 

Johannes de Laet to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 7 

February 8, 16 \i 
Sir: 

I have duly received your favor of the 4th instant, in reply 
to which I shall briefly state the situation of our affairs as I have 
always understood them and still understand them. The Company, 
deeming it advisable to throw open to individuals those things which 
according to the charter it alone was entitled to do, did so by the 
offering of freedoms and in other ways and with the stipulation of 
what was to be done in return by those who wished to enjoy those 
privileges. Among those things which the Company alone possessed 
and wished to share with others was the right to populate the lands 
within its jurisdiction. These lands were of two kinds; some had 
iheir inhabitants and government (bad or good as the case might 
be), others were still wild ; and the conditions to be imposed on those 
who aeeepted the [freedoms] must be arranged accordingly. Our 
subject relates to lands which were inhabited. The Company by a 
general grant promises that all those who shall bring into New 
Netherland a certain number oi people within a certain time shall in 
return enjoy such privileges as are more fully expressed in the grant 
so that the grant is a gift with conditions: do this, and you shall in 



•* Pieter Olycan, at different times schepen and burgomaster of Haarlem and 1631-33. 
1640-42, member of the States General. He was born in 1572 and died in 1658. 
Heraldieke Bibliotheek, 1879, 6:374. 

7 V. R. B. Mss 2u 



540 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

return enjoy that. In addition the Company has stipulated that 
no former owners are to he dispossesse 1 of their lands by force, 
hut that they must be paid for their interest. This having been pro- 
posed by the Company and offered to every one, Messrs Conradi, 
Godijn, Blommart and your honor agreed to declare your willing- 
ness to the Company to do each in a certain district what is re- 
quired by the conditions and in return therefor to enjoy what is 
promised by the Company, with this understanding among your- 
selves that the expenses were to be borne by shares, in the same way 
in each colony, namely, that the person who should make the 
promise and sign the agreement with the Company should be re- 
sponsible for two fifth shares and the others each for one share, 
making five shares in all. This has later been changed in some 
respects and can always be change 1 again, each one being master 
of his own, but is really not essential to the matter. The registration 
having been made, nothing was thereby obtained from the Company, 
nor could anything be obtained before the conditions which the 
Company exacted were complied with; for example (to come some- 
what closer to the matter between us), your honor did not by 
your signature or registration in the Company's book become fief 
holder in New Netherland, but bound yourself to do as the Com- 
pany required in order in return to enjoy what it offered, the ar- 
rangement being exactly the same as that of the charter and 
participation in the Company, for it was not enough to sign to be 
a participant, but money ha 1 to be furnished also. To proceed, 
your honor making registration on the North River, had no in- 
tention of complying with the conditions alone (neither had the 
other gentlemen), for you ha I agreed with one another to carry 
on all these affairs with common funds [contributed] in the pro- 
portion above mentioned; nobody reserved anything special for 
himself but what existed in fact. 8 Your honor promised the Com- 
pany and agreed to comply with the terms and so ha 1 the others; 
by this a perpetual fief was to be obtaine 1 which was to be granted 
and to descend to a -ingle individual; these things could not well 
be separated. Tn this way it was reserved for your honor, ami also 
for the others who registered to receive the fief and have the name 
thereof. Anything more I do not find reserved in your contract or 
that of the others and those who were the participants or who since 
have become so in their stead did not have to make a single stipu- 
lation with your honor for they entered into partnership as to 

■ niemont en bedongh daer iets speciaels -.oar henuseluen ah t' gene ihit in fcijt bestont. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 54 1 

expenses and therefore must also have entered into partnership 
as to everything that might be obtained therewith. Even if it had 
so happened that you had first associated partners with yourself 
after the registration of the colony in the book of the Company, 
your honor could not (with reason) make stipulations with your 
partners, for your honor could not give them but what they could 
if they wished get from the Company just as easily as your honor 
got it, for everything remained still to be done, all. expenses and 
investments were still to be made or to be considered by the copart- 
ners and those wdio might later be admitted as such by your honor 
or others, so that everything that was obtaine 1 at the registration 
or was to be obtained later, was obtained with the money of the 
partners who contributed in even shares. Should your honor now 
come and say — these lands which have been bought belong indeed 
to the copartners in common, the people or the colonists which 
have been sent over there are for the loss or profit of the partners, 
but the hereditary fief belongs to me alone ; I alone have the ad- 
ministration of justice and whatever else the Freedoms grant in 
connection therewith according to the regulations and, reserving to 
myself the high jurisdiction, I will gladly extend to my partners 
the middle and low jurisdiction? I wish that somebody could 
tell me the arguments upon which such an arrangement could be 
based. In companies for the diking of land, everything is obtained 
for the partners in common ; nobody gets anything for himself alone, 
but every partner receives in proportion to his share in the whole, 
yes, even (to touch on this point also) he who owns a share of 6000 
guilders in the company has just as much to say about the ad- 
ministration as he who has ten times as much in it ; and the small 
town of purmerend has as much voice in the assembly of the States' 
as the citv of Amsterdam. To conclude, as 1 have also explained 
to your honor by word of mouth, my understanding is (till some 
one can inform me differently) that all that has been produced 
and obtained in the colony of Rensselaerswyck and all that is 
owned there, freedoms, dignities, jurisdiction, hereditary fief, was 
received by our company in common, and not one thing by your 
honor privately and the rest by us ; that your honor bears the name 
of the colony is all well and good -inasmuch as you made the regis- 
tration and are the largest shareholder but your honor is not entitled 
to more, alone and above us and in good faith. Seeing that your 
honor talks so much about a fief, has your honor letters of feoff- 



8 The States of Holland and West Friesland. 



54 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ment from the Company and [from] their High Mightinesses by 
which Rensselaerswyck is acknowledged as a lordship with criminal 
jurisdiction and your honor as a vassal? I imagine not and that 
you would not easily obtain either. I shall say little of the admin- 
istration ; it is true that it is customary in all companies to entrust 
the administration to a few ; so it happens in our company here and 
this because too many administrators make confusion, but no ex- 
amples will be found where the entire administration is entrusted 
to a single individual and I do not think either that your honor 
seeks this. Our number is still sufficiently small and in the course 
of time there would probably be enough work for us all to rack our 
brains about, one having knowledge of one thing and another of 
something else. That he who has ten shares should have some- 
what more power than he who has but two seems reasonable enough 
but is not taken into account by any government, otherwise in all 
cities the richest must become magistrates and the largest share- 
holders be chosen as directors. If we could only get over this first 
difficulty and if your honor could only understand that like master, 
like man 10 and that we form a partnership (your honor wants to 
make us cardinals but be pope yourself) and that everything still 
belongs to us in common, just as if it were a newly diked-in polder 
which has not yet been sold in lots, the manner of administration 
will then readily be settled among us. I shall say this however 
that, although I ascribe to your honor much intelligence and 
wisdom, I do nevertheless not believe that your honor would be 
able to do the work alone, especially if the government and the 
administration of justice must be looke 1 after and proper officers 
and instructions and everything else connected therewith provided, 
as you would have to do if you alone should have the jurisdiction. 
And what would become of us if your honor or those who may 
succeed you should make an important mistake? To conclude, 
for my part, I do not want anything from you ; for, as I understand 
it, your honor has nothing that I have not also, except that as 
you have advanced more money, you ought also to enjoy more re- 
turns and if the polder (by way of speaking) came to be divided 
into lots, to expect more land. Your honor may now as well state 
your intentions in the matter, for I am neither inclined nor is it 
convenient for me to write again and again and at length on this 
subject and draw up a "process verbal" as it were; if I see that 
I can not have it as I thiirk it ought to be and as T should want to 



10 gel. municken gel. cuppe ; like monks, like caps. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 543 

treat someone else if it were my case, I shall withdraw from the 
business, try to make the most of it without obligating myself in any 
manner but sell it for what it is worth. After friendly salutations, 
I commend you to God. Leyden this 8th day of .February 1641. 
Was signed : /. de Laet 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Louis Saulmon 11 

February 21, i6.ji 

Louijs Saulmon, at Breda 

This 2 1st of February 1641 
In reply to yours of the 10th instant, I will say that I am in- 
formed that the Company will make a ship ready to sail to New 
Netherland but I do not yet know definitely when, nor how much 
room there will be left in it. I have no doubt but there will be 
plenty of room for the passengers but I am much afraid not for the 
animals, unless a special ship be hired for that purpose. I spoke 
to the young man vanderdonck, who was here with you, about the 
condition of my animals in the colony. He showed me an order 
or power of attorney from the people who were to sail thither. He 
will tell you about my animals; it takes too long to write about it. 
As far as I understand from him you are not quite agreed about the 
voyage. Let me know about this when convenient and tell him also 
that the ship is being made ready by the Company. I gave him 
some idea as to the conditions; you might come together and talk 
the matter over, especially if you are agreed. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 12 

March 25, 16 41 

Toussain Mnijssart, at Leyden 

In Amsterdam, the 25th of March 1641 
I still have your letter of the 18th instant and see that you obtained 
consent to have duffels made '''-' yards wide, which suits me 
very well. However, as I do not know what the situation is among 
ourselves (though you have paid me your last assessment in full) 
and as the fur trade is not an essential part of the participation 
as regards the ownership of the colony, 13 I should like to know 

11 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 42 b. 

12 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i42b. 
t3 Underlined in Letter Book. 



544 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

whether Mr de Laet as well as yourself are willing to participate 
in the merchandise which is sent thither or might still be sent, in 
order that we might revise the list proposed by me and according 
to circumstances increase or diminish the quantity. If so, I shall 
not fail as soon as I receive notice from you to call a meeting to 
discuss the matter thoroughly with one another. I shall expect the 
decision of both of you respecting this, so as to speak of it also to 
the participants who are here as soon as I receive notice from you 
and then to prepare for the appointed time. 

Now, as to the other matter, I had already drafted one half of 
my letter to Mr dc Laet, but as Mr Blommaert informed me of 
his displeasure at my prolixity, I broke off and stopped my work, 
the more so as the said Mr Blommaert intimated to me that the 
participants intended to constrain or force me by legal process and 
because I understand further that four owners of tenth shares have 
banded together not to act without each other's consent, which 
is a kind of plot. In addition to this comes this third reason, that 
certain advocates or lawyers in going by boat from Utrecht to 
Amsterdam discussed (though in Latin) our controversy at length, 
mentioning me in fact on the one side and the other three (not 
mentioning you) on the other side by name and putting me 
in the wrong (though no sentence has been pronounced) ; so that I 
can see clearly what is brewing. Therefore, Mr Muijssart, this 
short letter will serve only to request you and Mr dc Laet kindly to 
give me some information regarding the matter in order that I may 
not be taken unawares for I have till this hour consulted no one 
in this matter. If these things are done behind my back and with- 
out my knowledge and if efforts are made to draw me out by 
letters, this will not deprive me of my just rights and 10 to 12 years' 
possession; the reasons which I gave are simple indeed and must 
be taken literally and to break off my prolixity I can not help 
giving from the bottom of my heart this categorical answer to his: 
that of all that is in dispute between us nothing zvas bought with 
his money or obtained by [his] promise [nor by any] giving or 
promising of money, but all was owned before I ever gave money 
or promised to give money and was never ceded by me to any one. 14 
This will be found to be the truth and herewith ending, etc. 



14 Undcrlincil in Letter Booh-. 



VAX REXSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 545 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem van Galen 15 

April 20, 1641 

Willem van galen, at Utrecht 

In Amsterdam, the 20th of April 1641 
I see that the heirs of Gerrit dc Reus deceased have given you 
power of attorney to liquidate their accounts with me. I am sur- 
prised that after I here made them various propositions, as the 
matter is very intricate and confused, and after I offered to pay 
them a considerable sum in order to avoid long delay and to acquire 
reputation for liberal dealing since I send many people thither 
every year, and after they agreed to consider said sum with a view 
to letting me know their decision later, I never heard from them 
again and that now, on the contrary, I understand that they have 
given you power of attorney. If they seek tedious proceedings 
the work is sufficiently adapted thereto, so that it will not be so 
easily settled as one might think. If you like to try it, call at your 
convenience, as I am at home most of the time, Thursday after- 
noons however I am always engaged and each day gives me enough 
to do, especially at present when I am busy sending to New Nether- 
land 30 people with their necessary equipment. When you come 
please bring the power of attorney and the necessary papers to 
facilitate the work as much as possible. I am not the only one 
concerned in it and some of my partners live in this city and others 
at Leyden. However, I shall expedite the matter as much as pos- 
sible. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 10 

April 20, 1641 

Toitssain Muijssart, at Leyden 

This 20th of April 164 1, in Amsterdam 
A few days ago I spoke to S r bessels and yesterday to Mr blom- 
mart about the sending of the merchandise to New Netherland, 
who gave me to understand that all will go well. Therefore, I 
ask you kindly, as much of the time has been spent in dispute, 
in all diligence to have 36 duffels made of ! "- yards width, to 
wit: 18 beautiful red, nine steel gray and nine beautiful blue ones. 



15 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.143. 
18 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i43b. 

35 



546 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

but none of those drab ones which were sent before and which no 
one wants; I also ordered some to be made at campen, a:- I did not 
know what our friends were inclined to do. Please to let me know 
your decision in this matter; but if the friends should not be 
inclined to participate therein and to pay the previous assessments 
which are still wanting", I shall rest content with those which I 
have had made for my account at kampen. And as to trading, 
which as aforesaid is not an essential part of the colony, I shall in 
the future have to carry this on for my private account, for there 
is no reason why those who do not furnish the money should derive 
any profits. In tne future those who do not care to furnish their 
share for the trade will have to run no risk on that account but 
also will have no right to claim or expect any profit. Yet I hope 
that my friends will not desert me, who have most of the trouble ; 
the other way would be the easiest for me but as I have taken the 
trouble for so many years I shall not be the first to seek a change. 
I have engaged at least 25 persons to go thither and have com- 
municated the contracts to Monss r bcsscls. 1 also offered to send 
them to Mr blommaert and shall be glad to do so to Mr de Lact 
and yourself, either jointly or separately. The Company has 
granted me permission to send over on payment of freight charges 
12 cows which I ordered yesterday to be bought in goylant because 
the land is high there and more of the nature of that of New 
Netherland. I wish that we might have a friendly meeting, leav- 
ing the question of jus patronates alone, to consider together what 
we had better do or leave undone, in which case I shall do with joy 
and diligence for your four what I would do for my six tenth 
parts; but if we can not bring about such meeting I shall do what 
is easiest and carry on the trade for my own profit and at my own 
risk. Please to communicate this matter to Mr de lact before his 
departure in order that his honor may make arrangements about 
the money that his honor has not yet paid on the last assessment. 
I estimate that I shall send about fi2,ooo worth of merchandise, 
as our business promises to yield large yearly profits and returns. 
Deducting at a rough estimate f6ooo which the furs above their 
cost and other expenditures will yield, the remaining ffiooo come 
to fooo for each tenth share. If his honor does not wish to risk 
that much I am willing myself to Furnish the assessment of his 
honor and those of all others who have any hesitation about it. 
provided that I keep fur myself the profit or loss which the Lord 
shall grant me; but for them to let me go on like this and to think 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 5-1/ 

that if the enterprise succeeds the profit will be theirs and it fails 
the loss will be mine, aside from the fact that it is un-Christian, 
might turn out to be an unfounded conclusion. Therefore 1 ask 
you kindly to let me have your decision as far as your account is 
concerned and that of Air dc laet with regard to his. The remain- 
ing gentlemen I will speak to here. 

if the friends were willing, I should as far as my six tenth shares 
are concerned be glad to send f6ooo worth of merchandise beside 
the above named fi2,ooo, together making fi8,ooo, for our busi- 
ness looks very promising and the directors have also promised me 
every assistance and accommodation. I also think that I will insure 
most of the merchandise but the time draws near. The skipper 
thought the latter part of next week he would be ready to sail to 
the Texel. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van der Donck 17 

May _/, 1 6 41 

Adriaen Vanderdonck, at Breda 

This 4th of May 1641, in Amsterdam 

I received yours of the 18th last past and see that everything 
there was going all right and that the people were getting ready to 
come hither ; however, the skipper makes great haste and several 
people have already gone on board with their goods, so that neither 
you nor they must tarry any longer. Our parting word was that 
you would come back on the last of April ; therefore, do not wait 
any longer, as your commission and instructions must still be drawn 
up, which requires some time for me to do too. As to the wheel- 
wright, I could perhaps accommodate him with some young cows, 
as I now expect to send 12 to 18 of them over, most of which have 
been bought already and are stabled at Craloo, the stalls on board 
being now made ready. If he is inclined to sail along, he must 
come over immediately with the other people. He could also take 
up his residence in your district as the other wheelwright lives in 
the over-district of the colony. 18 

I fear that I shall not be able to secure a suitable minister to go 
by tins ship inasmuch as the time is too short. Meanwhile, I shall 
make every effort to secure a learned and godly one. Vale. 

'■ V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 144. 

18 het overquartier vande Colonie; referring to the district on the cast side of the 
Hudson River, since the 1 lace assigned to van der Donck was in Bylaers dal, on the west 
side of the river. See p. 550—51. 



54§ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 19 

May 14, 16 /i 

Will cm kieft, director in New Netherland 

14 May 1641, in Amsterdam 
I am sorry that I am so pressed for time that I can not properly 
answer your honor's favor of the 12th of October 1640, but I send 
herewith my previous letter of the 29th of May 1641 20 sent by 
Cornells mclyn, which made a trip to Dunkirk 21 and which is cir- 
cumstantial and prolix enough. Though it contains several things 
which need to be somewhat corrected, it would take too long to do 
so and I rather send it on than correct it now. I refer therefore to 
that letter, especially as to the matter whether you would be willing 
to accommodate me by receiving and shipping my goods going 
to and coming from my colony and to and from the fatherland, 
which your honor has so far very kindly done. However, as I do 
not wish to trouble you with it any longer without knowing in what 
way I can compensate your honor for it, I shall expect the favor 
of your advice in this matter. I commend to your honor anew 
the sending of my people and their goods and animals to the colony, 
especially the tiles and brick which are in great danger of dis- 
appearing, as they lie exposed on the shore. The Company prom- 
ised me to send my goods in this ship but it is so overloaded with 
animals that there is little ballast freight 22 in it except iron, brick 
and smith's coal. They have promised me to hire another ship 
at the first opportunity to send over my goods and those of other 
people. I therefore request your honor, if it can be done without 
inconvenience, to detain the last sloop as long as possible so as to 
get my goods up the river before winter, as otherwise it will be 
quite a loss to me. I received the papers of gerrii de reus deceased. 
The heirs want to have from me the money and the accounts of 
what is still coming to him and your honor did not send to the 
Company the books thereof, nor me any order on them. The 
matter ought to have no connection with my other accounts and 
I can not pay the amount to the heirs because it is inserted in my 
account and I have not yet received any money. I have serious 



19 V. R. />'. tfss, Letter Book, f.i 1 1. 

'-'"Should be 1640; see p. 473. 

-' Melyn's ship was captured by the Dunkirk pirates. 

-- ballast goet. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 549 

complaints to make that the Company is so backward in paying for 
the grain delivered by me, which they sold at a handsome profit. 

I thank your honor for having the bills of lading signed and 
for shipping the last consignment of furs sent to me by arent van 
Corler. I hope that the bearer of this letter, Adriacn Comelissen 
vander donck, a young man of education, whom I have engaged 
as officer, will find means to compensate your honor for all your 
trouble and kindness. I firmly trust that he will keep up friendly 
intercourse with you and not treat you so impolitely as you com- 
plain that others of my people have done. 

As to what your honor writes about my complaints to the Com- 
'pany, you must not take this as detrimental to you in your relation 
with the Company for the more closely you look after their rights, 
the more activity and diligence you show them. I did it on account 
of the boat charges, because the horses had cost me so much. I 
have taken the resolutions of the Company 23 out of the letter and 
sent them to arent because you have received the same already 
from the Company. The resolutions show plainly enough that the 
cooper's 24 staying there was not your fault but that of Jacob planch, 
Vale. 

P.S. I value your honor's counsel more than the demand of the 
West Indian Islands for grain from New Netherlan 1 an 1 [shall 
therefore do my best] to entertain friendly relations. I am sorry 
that you are so badly served ; I do not know what the trouble is, 
for have I not made an ordinance that everything should be de- 
livered to my comniis and by him sent to your honor for the Com- 
pany? Assist him, arent will not fail to do his duty. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 25 

May 14, 16 41 

Arent van Corler, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

This 14th of May 1641 in Amsterdam 
I hope by the next ship to reply more fully to yours of the 
14II1 of September 1640. as the bearer of this letter is in great haste 
and must leave this evening and as I am very busy preparing the 
papers and commission for Adriacn Comelissen vander donck, 
a young man of education whom I have engaged as officer and in- 



" See p. 483, 5'i- 

-' Jan Willemsz, sec p. 4S2. 

-•"■ /'. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.145. 



550 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

structed to respect you; [I want you] to be mutually helpful to 
each other, which I have no doubt you will be. Herewith goes the 
invoice of the merchandise which I caused to be bought, though 
only a little of it will go over in this ship, which is indicated in the 
margin of the invoice. The rest I hope will follow in five or six 
weeks. Do not fail to send to me by this ship on proper bills of 
lading as many skins as you can get. The manner of conducting 
the fur trade you will find fully described in the instructions to 
Officer van der donck. The furs which you sent brought a fair 
price but I am surprised that the merchandise sent by Minuyet, 
deceased, and in he! wapen van noorweegen, amounting at first 
purchase to f_j.ooo, have melted down so. You must see to it that 
they do not overrule you. This man vander donck will lend you 
a helping hand whenever necessary. Be careful not to give any- 
thing on credit to any one who has no claims against us and from 
whom it might be difficult to collect payment and do not be so 
neglectful in sending copies of the books and accounts. By the 
next ship I hope to send you an active young man for your assist- 
ance, ddie case of brant peelen brought more than 8od guilders, 
that of Cornells teitnissen 503 guilders. I have not time to deduct 
the amount of the freight and the duties but will do so next time. 
I lowever, I do no know on what basis they were sent. People do 
not write me what the goods cost and to whom they belong, whether 
I have a half or a whole share in them nor how my account with 
every one stands at the end of the year. You will find what I 
mean in the instructions to the officer. 

Separately, by the skipper of den eyckelboom go the letters 26 
which ! sent you more than a year ago by Cornel is inelyn and which 
have made a trip to Dunkirk. Herewith, in God's name, 20 per- 
sons who will establish three farms in bylcrsdal, on the west side of 
the river, between beeren Island and smacks Island; assist them in 
every way; also 24 young cows, six of which are for the account of 
Cornells mclyn and the oilier [8 are for the colon}-. The Lord 
grant that they may arrive safely. The animals must be distributed 
proportionately, an 1 as many horses as can be spared must be 
added to them; both must content themselves with young horses 
or with gel lings and stallions. Han everything with vander donck 
how it can be best arranged. 

Enclosed is a memorandum given by [my] nephew van Twiller to 
vanderdonck to receive three milch cows; ^i these each of the 



See p. 485, 508, 548. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 55 1 

farms now to be established is to have one ami also four each 
of the animals which go over now, so that they will have plenty. 
Now, if they want to exchange two of those four with some one 
else for a milch cow they will then have two milch cows and 
two heifers. The horses must be given them as aforesaid at your 
discretion so that in God's name they may with courage begin 
the tillage of the soil in that neighborhood. I also send two cases 
with grapevines which I hope will grow, so as to form the be- 
ginning of a vineyard; some to be planted in bylaersdal near van- 
dcrdvnck, some near the tobacco planters, some near pietcr cor 
nelisscn in the place where the trees are being cut down. But all 
these places must be kept well weeded so that no brush or weed? 
grow around the plants and should also be fenced in so that the 
shoots Ji re not bitten off by any animals. 

I strongly recommend to you the building of the church as I 
hope to send a minister. Take care in every way that the mer- 
chandise and furs be not stolen and damaged, guarding especially 
against fire. Use the tiles, which I sent over for the roof of your 
house to protect it against fire arrows. 

You write me that the servants have been distributed in ac- 
cordance with my instructions but you do not write me with whom 
they are placed. You put off giving the number of heaps of grain 
which were counted 27 because the summer seed is not yet counted ; 
it is good to have both but belter to have one half than nothing at 
all. If you can make the trade in Indian corn profitable to me you 
shall have your share of it but a profit must be certain and get 
into the pocket and not consist of elaborate accounts and loans. 
Contract to my advantage with such carpenters as you need from 
among those whose time expires and who have behaved well in 
the service of the Company. The other households which I have 
once formed and equipped must be supported from the profits of 
the farmers. The irregularity of the wheelwright and the farmer 
must be corrected by the council. The officer who now goes over 
will arrange these things better according to his instructions. If 
they annoy you in any way you might keep the offenders in mind 



- T VL stellei op lien hoope vant winter cooren die gcstelt waren ryt; which may have 
been intended for VL siellet op tien hoope rant -winter cooren die gestclt waren vyf, you 
put down ti >t winter grain which were put down as five, or else for VL stellet 

['t opgeven van het aan'.al] hoope vant winter cooren die getelt waren vyt, you put 
off giving the number of heaps of winter grain which were counted. The latter inter- 
pretation, though requiring greater changes in the text, corresponds with a statement on 
p. 558 and would therefore seem to be correct. 



552 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

when you nave new supplies. I send you herewith a blank which 
you can use in the future to order your merchandise, stating after 
each item how much you want to have sent of each article. If 
any items are omitted add them to it. Vale, 

Order of Wouter van T wilier to Aert Willemsz 28 

May 14, 16 41 

Aert Willemsz, foreman 

On receipt of this, deliver from among the animals which you 
have on my farm to Officer adriaen vander donck, for the account 
of the colony called Rensselaerswyck, three of the seven 29 cows 
which are on the said farm, the remaining six to be divided into two 
groups and kept separate. Done at Amsterdam, this 14th of May 
1641. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 30 

June 6, 1641 

Toussain Muijssart, at Ley den 

This 6th of June 1641, in Amsterdam 
Before I received yours of the 21st ultimo I handed Mr Bessels 
the form of a receipt as I think it ought to be. I should have been 
pleased if the last clause could have been left out as the said 
matter is entirely beyond dispute. Said Bessels told me that he 
handed the said form to Mr Blommaert and that the same handed 
it to Mr de Laet. Today through Mr Blommaert a man advised 
me that he was willing to be responsible for one half of the freight- 
ing of a ship to New Netherland; there is also another man who 
would like to have a fourth share in said freighting and I have 
consented to take a fourth share also for the account of the colony, 
provided the participants be willing to contribute four tenth parts 
or two fifths parts to our cargo. I am ready as to my six tenth 
parts and I trust that the four of you will also agree; and if so, 
that you will have made at once 36 or 40 wide duffels, such as I 
have before this more than once told and written you about. I 
can not tell exactly the time when they will be needed; have them 
made as soon as possible so they will be well finished, we will then 
compare them with those Iron Cam p.m. But in case the con- 

» !'. A'. /;. Mss t Letter Hook, f.146. 
-"■' Nine? 

, Letter Book, f.146. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 555 

fraters at Leyden should not be quite decided, inasmuch as those 
here are satisfied, let me know it at once, so that I may not involve 
myself too far in hiring the ship, for I have no need of a half 
share 31 in the freighting of a ship for my three fifth parts, as our 
animals, people and freight ballast were sent by den Eijckcnboom. 
S r . Bessels leaves here this minute and says that he is satisfied. 

Mr Muijssart, just consider in the interest of your heirs, as well 
as of mine and of those of Mr de Lact and the others whether it 
is not better for a definite person to have the management and to 
be accountable therefor, than to have the management in the hands 
of many people, so that widows and orphans, who might come in 
course of time, would not know to whom to apply, especially if 
trouble occurred among the directors, which with a large number 
of people can hardly be avoided, one blaming the other. I willingly 
grant that if the person who had the management were great and 
powerful enough to resist and defraud his partners if he wanted 
to, it would be a serious matter ; as on the other hand, the rule of 
many has its objections also. But on that score no danger is to 
be expected from me, neither in one way nor the other, neither with 
respect to the power nor the will. It would be much less trouble 
to me to do business for myself tban to have the care and trouble 
for others also. I should not in any way be willing to undertake 
it, nor could I be moved to do so, except for the confusion which 
otherwise might arise ; for, as we participate in the colony in pro- 
portion, business carried on for myself would cause jealousy all 
the time which I on my part shall try to prevent and if it is possible 
I shall not rest, after this ship is equipped, till I have settled all 
accounts and made a clear path. I hope that after this we need 
to expect no more assessments but dividends. It is true that I 
have said this before but examine the matter well ; the last two 
assessments are not on account of the colony but for merchandise 
which is sent with the expectation of certain returns at the end of 
eaph year, and if I now conduct the business on a somewhat large 
scale this is done for the purpose of keeping others out and of 
establishing ourselves in it. I have not given up the hope, if the 
Lord will grant me a few years more, of diverting to the colon) 
a large part of the furs of the savages who now trade with the 
French in Canada, and nothing grieves me more than that we now 
dispute with one another about formalities and do not even touch 
what is to yield profits. However, I hope that hereafter more 



81 Should be: a fourth share. 



554 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

attention will be paid to this ; nothing will please me more than 
to receive advice and counsel from yon and your conf raters; but' 
if they want to spoil the business, how could I who have such 
large interests at stake consent to their request; this by way of 
advice. Herewith, etc. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 32 

June 18, 16 ]t 

Toussain Muijssart, at Leyden 

This 18th of June 1641 
These in haste to tell you that the freighted [ship's] skipper 
hurries us very much. Today we begin to pack our duffels and 
it will take probably two or three days before it is finished ; as 
I wish to compare them with those from Leyden, please send five 
or six of the latter as soon as they are ready and let me know at 
once when the first consignment will be sent hither and how many 
can be ready in eight or 10 days, as the skipper counts on setting 
sail with the Portuguese fleet. If you can not get ready there let 
me know it at once, for my man has ready 15 duffels more than 
I ordered. All our other goods are lying ready in the warehouse 
of the Company. I hope that the day after tomorrow our cases of 
duffels will get in there also. Please use the amount of the assess- 
ment, to wit, f6oo of the seventh assessment of Mr de laett and 
fi6oo on account of the eighth assessment of both of you, in pay- 
ment for the duffels there and pay the balance to me here. You 
paid f3 : 16 too much on the seventh assessment; you might deduct 
this from the eighth so as to even your account. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck :!:; 

June iS, 1641 

Cornells Vander donck, at Breda 

This [8th of June 1641, in Amsterdam 
I have received yours of the 13th instant and sec that there are 
two families that would like to go thither on the conditions of Vos 

**V.R.B.Mss, Letter Book, 1.146!). This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 

M V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, E.146D. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSF.LAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 555 

and van Xcs, to the district where your son is to reside. I wish 
that you had advised me of the make-up of their families and how- 
strong they are with regard to children and servants. I shoui I 
expect, if the animals arrive safely which your son took with him 
and which I hope are already more than half way, that next year 
there would be no lack of cows or of horses, but this year the 
people will have to make shift with little. In 14 days a ship will 
be ready at the Texel to sail thither, but I fear that there will 
hardly be any room for people left in it as this notice is given 
rather late. Let me know promptly whether they could be ready 
by that time. I shall then talk to the skipper and let you have an 
answer at once, but you must advise me of the number of persons, 
their ages and how many sons, daughters and servants there are 
among them; also whether the}' understand farming and whether 
they know any trades besi 'es, which in those countries is very con- 
venient. I shall expect your answer hereto by the first oppor- 
tunity to govern myself accordingly, but I can promise neither one 
thing nor the other with certainty. In addressing your letter you 
give me the title of " welgeboren;" such titles belong to princes; 
I shall be satisfied if you give me a lesser title. Instead of 
" formerly councillor of the West India Company," put " ex- 
director of the West India Company," this being the way in which 
in this city the retired gentlemen, each in his capacity, are clis- 
tinguishe 1 from those who are in office. Vale. 

Order of the West India Company to Job Arisz, skipper of den 
Coninck David, to transport Antony de Hooges, Jan Ver- 
beeck and family, and others' 4 

July 10, 1641 

ddie directors of the West India Company, Chamber of Amster- 
dam order an 1 direct Job Arissen, skipper of the ship named 
</' Co. David to transport in said ship under his command and 
to permit to sleep and eat in the cabin 3 '"' the person of Anthony dc 
Hogus in the service of Mr renselaer and Johan V r beeck SG with 

' V. R. H. Mss 22. Printed blank, 33x21.3 cm. To distinguish the printed from the 
written parts, the written parts are printed in italics. 
let den Overloop; literally, under the deck. 

11 Entered in Maentgeli Boeck, 1638-44, among the Renssetaerswyck Mss, as Jan 
Verbeeck Snijder, Jan Verbeeck, the tailor. Is frequently referred to as Johannes 
Verbeeck, hut signs his name Jan Verbeeck. 



556 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

his wife and daughter and maid sonant, and Gccrtgen nanninxr 1 
with son and little daughter, provided he bring with [him] a 
musket or firelock and sword of [his] own, with his accompanying 
baggage specified below and marked with the mark of the Com- 
pany; and for transporting these the skipper shall upon [declara- 
tion] signed by said Anthony dc Hogus, be paid for board 
stivers a day, according to the amount agreed upon with Mr reus'', 
for board of his colonists. Done at Amsterdam, the 10th of July 
1641. 

[signed] Fred 1 ': Schuleub'': 

S. blomaert 

I went on board the 23d day of the month of 

July and left the ship the day of the month of 

Done at the 

The above named having with them four chests large and small 
containing their apparel, clothes, linen and other effects, further 
some furniture and miscellaneous articles, shall pay upon arrival 
for freight twenty-eight guilders, I say, must pay for freight 
fs8: Done at Amsterdam this ipth of July 1641. 

[signed] /: Eincklacn 

For Anthonij dc hooges / 8 

For Jeliau Verbeeck, his wife, child and maidservant fio 

For Gnrtgcn Nanninx and two children fio 



f28 

\ Endorsed] Renselaer 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler' 8 

July 18, 16 4 1 

Arunt van Corler, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

The 1 8th of July 1641, in Amsterdam 
On the 14th of May I advised you briefly by Officer Adriaen 
vander donck who sailed by the ship den eyckenboom but I sent 

37 Entered in Maentgelt Boeck, 1638-44, as Geertgen Mannix, wed., Geertgen Mannix. 
willow. Dec. 28, 164.1, Geertje Nannincks, widow of Tjerck Hendricksz, married Abel 
Reddenhasen, a young man from Waldeck, who died before Ant;. 2, 1644, when she sold 
her house at New Amsterdam, at the corner of the East River and the present Broad 
street, to Cornells Melyn. July ji, 1647, she married at New Amsterdam Claes Jansz 
Kust [Rust], widowei of Aechtje Cornells; see N. Y. Col. Mss, 2:121, Reformed Dutch 
New York, Marriages, 1639-1801, p. 11, 14, and Dutch Patents, Illl, p. 6j. 

so V. K. B. Mss. Letter Bock, f.147. 




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Order of the West India Company to Job Arisz, skipper of den Coninck 

David, to transport Antony de Hooges and others, July 10, 1641 

From V '.R.B.Mss 22. About l / 2 of original size 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 557 

all papers and letters 39 in full and refer to them. This letter goes 
by the ship den Coniiick dtwid in the care of anthonie dc hooges 
whom I send to you as underbookkeeper and assistant and who has 
the invoice and bill of lading of what is in the ship. I have given 
hoges a set of instructions and ordered him to deliver them to you 
and to keep a copy of them, as they contain many things to which 
you and he must pay close attention. And as several boxes had to 
be left out, which I hope will follow in a month or six weeks in 
another ship which the Company has hired, I wish that I had enough 
goods to send to avoid all the bother with the freighted ships 40 and 
to send or hire a ship myself. Let me know some time how much 
ground and unground wheat you think, with God's blessing, I 
might have in March 1643, with a view to my sending a ship with 
merchandise from here to the colony in July 1642 and letting it stay 
there over winter ( for if it should come back in October the grain 
would not be thrashed, much less ground), said ship as soon as 
water is open to sail with the furs obtained by barter and the 
aforesaid grain or meal to Virginia, there to exchange them and 
other merchandise which is in demand for tobacco and then to 
come hither, thus reimbursing us for the freight expenses. Or 
else let me know what is the best arrangement for me to make 
to have my goods, when I get good returns which will increase 
year by year, transported hither and back in the most advantageous 
manner and with the least expense, and at the same time to prevent 
the fraudulent sale of furs and grain which are not entered. Seek 
herein the counsel and advice of Officer vandcr donck who has good 
judgment, but as the matter is outside of his official duties I write 
this to you ; you might advise with him and others about this but 
must not bring the matter up in the council, for the farmers who sit 
in it would have in mind and seek their own profit and not mine, 
so that you must be very cautious about everything and know whom 
you can trust most and who is most honest and most favorable 
toward me. You might write to me as to how far every one acts to 
my advantage, I shall keep your name secret ; but as to crimes, mis- 
demeanors and abuses, these concern mainly the duty of the officer. 
I shall now answer somewhat more fully some matters contained 
in your letter of the 14th of September 1640 and want to impress 
on you this lesson, that even if a thing can not be entirely completed 
it is better for you to write but half the facts than to say nothing 



30 Sec p. 485, S°8, 548, 550. 

40 de bevachtc [bevrachte] schecpcn; apparently referring to ships freighted by the 
Company. 



55§ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

at all. For example, you do not give me the number of vimmen 41 
which are counted on the field because there are still others which 
are not counted. There will always be some lacking, therefore 
write as much as you know an 1 be ready when the opportunity 
comes. It is for this reason that I have sent you this young man 
and I hope that he will give you good service ; let me know of his 
behavior. Just think fcr yourself, you have now received goods by 
four ships, besides what you have received now and then since 
the year 1637 when den Calmer sleutel sailed, and thus far I have 
not heard of a single settlement of accounts nor in all that time 
received any books. That ought not to be. Every year promptly 
I must have all books and accounts, otherwise I can not know 
how much I gain or lose; and even if I get the books there is the 
question whether ever}' thing is properly recorded, for if no 
caution is taken each one will seek his own interest and if you do 
not properly defend my rights I might lose instead of gain, es- 
pecially if no proper credit and debit accounts are kept. Everything 
is done through me who am absent, therefore you must not let 
yourself be overruled where my rights are concerned. In fairness, 
I do not want to give any one less than he is entitled to but others 
try to defraud me. Take care that you are not behind in your 
journal, or daily writing, and then it will not be your fault, but his, 
if hooges does not copy them properly and promptly; otherwise it 
will be your fault. You are now on the way to advancement if 
you serve me diligently, prudently and faithfully. If you give me 
profit 1 wdll also seek your advantage, but remember that slow- 
riches give happiness but that those wdio want to get rich quickly 
cannot walk the straight way. Albert de noorman sent me an ac- 
count which 1 coil) 1 not understand very well. 1 send it back to you 
lor examination, as 1 can not make any sense out of it. You must 
carefully examine their contracts and see whether the accounts are 
made out accordingly. Hereafter when the leases expire, the farms 
must he put on the basis of the farms n\ the people from breda. 
My people complain because they have it ton well 42 and do me 
great injury by selling grain without my an 1 your knowledge. 
Officer zander donck must see to it if he can detect any doing it; 
as those who came first ought t > have some profit when their lease 
expires, I would 2ccep1 their grain at a somewhat higher price than 



41 The rim, vimme, >>t .//mi.-, is generally understood t" equal 104 bundles or sbeaves. 
In Gelderland ami upper Limburg mo sheaves make a vim. According to van der Donck, 
Beschryvin i uw Vederlavt, p. 7. a vinne equals ro8 sheaves. 

*- Klaechi ; an weelden. 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 559 

that of the people from bred a, who at first were very well satisfied 
with their contracts but having been stirred up by others became 
at once dissatisfied with van der donck. In your letter you call the 
farmers " residents," this is a misunderstanding, I mean by that 
term the plunderers 4 " who have no fixed residence in the colony 
but take lodgings with the farmers and other people and mean- 
while strip them of their grain and furs to my great prejudice. I 
have noticed that some are going over by this ship who will un- 
doubtedly go to the colony to trade with my people. Speak about 
this to Officer vanderdonck with a view to regulating that matter as 
justice and fairness demand. Is it not pure thievery that the farm- 
ers sell to others without my knowledge some of the grain of which 
half belongs to me or that they trade with the residents the furs 
which they ought to deliver to me? It can not be arranged too 
strictly, but some go too far. 

I can not help wondering what has become of the returns of the 
31 morgens of wheat of dc Reus which was valued on the field 
at f/5 a morgen. They can not hide it in their sleeves surely, and I 
do not hear of any returns. This also is due to the fact that you 
do not send me any account of what has become of it. I have 
ordered vanderdonck to call the persons whom dc rcnx left on the 
farm before the court to produce their accounts. The heirs of 
dc reus want me to pay them one half and I can not learn that I 
received half as much as they demand from me. He must be a 
godless person indeed who spoiled those 31 morgens of wheat which 
looked so fine on the field. There is no real defense to offer and 
he ought to be punished as an example to others. I see that the 
farmers of the colony act badly ; the whole reason is that they are 
spoiled. If they do not want to accept my conditions, I can get 
plenty of farmers, much more easily than servants. Cornells 
Teunissen complains that you side too much with p ter cornclisscn; 
and I guess that you and I have good reason for this as you will 
he able to conclude from the arrangement I made, the reason being 
that f Comellissen serves me better than Cornells Teunissen as far 
as the farm is concerned. Here are brant pcclcn and Cornells 
Teunissen, each of whom has sent me a case of furs but neither 
of them writes me 011 what basis, whether the cases belong 
entirely to them or to me, or one half to them and the other to me, 
which is also the result of your not sending me their accounts. 
Therefore, now that you have Antonij dc Hoogcs as an assistant, 

43 stroopers. 



560 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

be no longer negligent in this respect ; he will copy your letters and 
accounts and if you wish to wrile a short note to me personally and 
make a copy of it yourself, you can easily do so. If you mean 
it well with me, 1 will do well by you and, if it is necessary, send 
you more help when I have proof of your capacity. 

Enclosed is a memorandum 44 which you will hand to the officer;, 
to bring suit against such farmers and others as employ their 
friends to the exclusion of the carpenters and other workmen of 
the patroon, in order that this matter may be properly attended 
to. You did well to warn me of it. Continue to do so in similar 
cases; it will increase your reputation and in course of time you 
will thereby command respect among those who formerly imposed 
on your youth. I see that hereafter you will try to pay the people 
there and issue no more drafts on me. That is all right; however, 
great discretion must be used in this matter that you do not pay 
them too much, not according to their demands, but according to 
my claims till further order from me ; and send me the account of 
such payments every year that I may examine it. E>o not charge 
my accounts with goods which I am not bound to furnish and 
which you can omit; if they trouble you too much, let me know it 
and I will order them to pay you for such goods and for your 
trouble. 



44 This memorandum has been preserved among the Rcnsselaerswyck Mss. A transla- 
tion, revised from that in O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:327-28, is as 
follows: 

Memorandum for the officer Adriaen vander donck, this 18th of July 1641, in 
Amsterdam. 

Whereas several farmers not only pass by the carpenters and other workmen of the 
patroon, who must remain idle, but also employ others and strangers who are not in 
the service of the patroon and then must pay these men much higher wages than to his 
men, which greatly tends to the injury of the patroon, the detriment of the colony and 
the violation of his ordinances and is directly contrary to their promise and the stipu- 
lations in their contracts; therefore, the officer is ordered to summon all such farmers 
before the commissioners of the patroon, and if necessary also before the councilors of 
the colony (with the exclusion of those who may themselves be guilty thereof), in order 
to take proper action in this matter by further rule or ordinance and tG punish the 
delinquents with such penalties and fines as the law provides. In witness of the truth, 
this has been signed on the date above written, 

[Signed] Kiliaen van Rensselaer, patroon 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 

II. shall also make inquiries of the person who had charge of dclactsburch and was 
left there by Gerrit &e reux, as the said farm in May 1638 had among other things 37 

1 ns of winter grain valued on the field by four farmers at 75 guilders per morgen, 

find out what has become of the said grain and whether he has been faithful or 

gent, in short, what the reason is that of so large a number of morgens so little 
has appeared and if he is found guilty punish him as an example to others, as is more 
fully set forth in the letter to arent Van Curler. 
[signed] K V Rensselaer. 
1 -.<■<: 1 

In case the person whom Gerrit de Reux left on the farm should refer to the heirs 
of his master (which I do not think he will) I wish to say that the said heirs have given 
me a power of attorney which I have sent to Director Kijcft. 



VAN RENSSELAER I50WIER MANUSCRIPTS 561 

There is danger [of error and loss] to me in copying - , therefore 
be careful. You have done well in issuing an order that the grain 
must be counted on the field; add thereto that the receiver of the 
tithes may have his percentage thereof; that will be doing still 
better. 

Greet Pieter Cornells.': and Cornells Teunisz and all the rest, tell- 
ing them that this time I have not time to write to each one person- 
ally, for the number is getting too large to write to every one of 
them. 

I again commend to you the building of the church; there must 
be no failure about the delivery of the tithes, even if I have to 
make all the servants masters or to send other masters from here. 
The people there live in too much luxury, those who are located 
here on the frontiers where war is would thank God to have such 
conditions. The building of the church is not a very complicated 
matter, the shape being mostly like that of an eight-cornered mill ; 
it can not cost a great deal either as it is small, its greatest width 
on the outside measuring but 48 feet. If it could have been ar- 
ranged, I should like to have had it three or four feet larger in 
each direction, but this could not be done on account of the timber ; 
have it built according to the model. I am trying to get a good 
minister but as yet have not succeeded. I should like to have an 
elderly man 45 but they are hard to get. I think that Ian Cornells?-. 
Timmerman will know how to build it, or else Andrics de Vos, who 
sailed with vander donck as farmer and who is an experienced 
carpenter. Now, that I am sending you so much merchandise, 
you must try to bring me as much trade as you can and in order 
to interfere as much as possible with the " residents " also offer 
good terms to those with whom they trade; especially when you. 
have too much merchandise which you can not easily sell, you 
must (though with caution as to whom) give a little more credit 
than usual. 

As to the returns in the shape of furs, which were not sent in 
den Eyckenboom, please send these with proper bills of lading in 
the ship den Coninck David, and what is not ready to go by this 
ship, send that by the next ; but remember that the next ship will 
come home by way of the West Indies and Curacao so that I would 
rather have it sent in this ship which expects to come by way of 
France, where there will be good convoy. 



* Eeti bedaecht man, 
36 



562 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Enclosed I send some changes which are made in the contracts 
of the freemen whereby I have especially benefited the tobacco 
planters, who instead of one third will deliver but one fifth in addi- 
tion to the tithes; by and by, on account of the good terms which 
they enjoy, they must cut down some trees and clear the land. 
Please record these articles with the preceding. 

I send herewith also an account of the payments made to the 
people who go over, both those made on condition of repayment 
with 50;, advance 40 and others. Do not fail to enter these and 
all previous payments on the accounts of the .respective persons as 
otherwise I should be greatly injured. If I have forgotten to send 
the accounts of any of the people who went over before, lee me 
know it and I will send them to you. 

As to the insurance, of the iooo skins which I insured here, I 
received 6S1 by den zvaterhont; for the remaining 319 rebate was 
granted and likewise J/>; f ' rebate for the preceding 600 skins. I 
have now insured 2000 skins, large and small, which I expect by 
the ship den eyckdboom, by the ship den Co David and by the next 
ship whose name I do not know yet. No matter whether they 
come over in two or in three ships, as many as 2000 in the three 
aforesaid vessels are covered by insurance; this for your guidance 
and information. Let me know at every opportunity what kind 
of skins you have and how many you expect to have each year, I 
shall then have a better basis for my insurance. Idle insurance 
going and coming, together with the duties, convoy charges, ship 
and boat freights, interest, brokerage, commission and other ex- 
penses which have no name, run up to a surprising amount, so 
that you must do your best to sell your goods to the best advantage, 
but care must be taken that others do not get better goods and 
cheaper rates than 1 do and above all things you must take care 
that 1 keep the trade even if I make a little less profit if it comes to 
the worst. But this is a word and a hint which must be carefully 
considered and intelligently applied and not abused, for as there 
is greater risk in such long voyages one must make as much profit 
as one reasonably can, all seasons and occasions must be carefully 
observed and when the opportunity is not favorable one must have 
patience. 

I am surprised that you received no furs for the first two ship- 
ments of merchandise; I long to see the accounts, but settle none 
without making such settlement subject to the ratification and fur- 



* op restitutie van ie 50 /• Qento avance; literally, upon restitution of the 503, advance. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 563 

ther examination by the patroon. I fear that they have already 
condemned you in my name, 47 however things will no doubt im- 
prove now that I help you so. 

I am expecting to hear what measures have been taken with 
regard to the delivery of the tithes and other grain. Cornells 
teunissen will doubtless understand what my opinion of him is. 
1 woul 1 write him also, but must first hear how he has conducted 
himself. I am also waiting impatiently for the account of pieter 
Cornelissen. He writes of great profits but I do not know of 
what the}- consist. If they are supposed to consist of the house 
which he built, that is of wood and will wear out in a few years, 
besides he has had the use of it and not I ; if they consist in this 
that he furnishes the boards for my dwelling houses at such high 
price, he wins twofold and I lose twofold. All these joint trans- 
actions must be abolished and 1 must know what my net gain is 
from the money which I advance as well as from the timber which 
they would like to get for nothing and sell to me at the highest 
price. You will have better help, now that you get vanderdonck 
as officer and hoges as assistant, who are not personally interested 
in these things. 

I have learned of the accident of the fire at the farm of adriaen 
Cornelissen, if it can be called an accident and was not due to 
carelessness. It is a pity about those fine horses which I hear 
were with colt. You must not fail to charge these to the account 
of Tennis direkse (including those that were sent the second time 
and those that died) ; they cost at least f.400 a piece. That you 
have had a house built to live in is well and I await the account. 
Tennis dircksen however has too much land so that a great deal 
will lie idle and remain uncultivated. That he 43 disposes of the 
duffels at f^ like Director Kieft is well, but inasmuch as the dye, 
especially the double steel gray, becomes expensive and as I have 
also had the duffels made wider and heavier, this must hereafter be 
taken into consideration and if they are kept at the old price of f3 
the payment must be made in better skins. 

Director Kieft complains greatly that they furnish him so little 
wheat. I have still more reason to complain that so poor payment 
for the wheat which I furnished has been made here by liquida- 
tion of unfounded accounts. I have not yet been paid for that 
delivered in the years 1638 and 1639 and have indeed not yet re- 



- ,T dat se V in myne name al sullen veroordeell hebben; meaning perhaps, that they 
have already condemned you as my agent. 

J< liy, in Letter Book; probably a mistake for gy, you. 



564 new york State library 

ceived one half of the money clue to me. The grain is of such 
high grade that it ought not to be paid by balancing it against bad 
accounts. Therefore, as you write that you can get f3 a schepel for 
the wheat, which amounts to fi2 a mudde, it is proper that the 
director pay you the same and this not with accounts but in cash 
there or drafts payable here on demand. I write about this matter 
to him also because Director Kicft or the bookkeeper stated in 
an account of grain furnished, which I had to show here, that the 
people of the colony owed at least f2ooo, so that I could not get 
any money and can not yet except by way of liquidation of those 
unfounded accounts of the wheelwright and others, which I have 
sent to kicft. I had to pay the Company this year 18$ interest on 
the increase of my capital stock which fell due in August 1639, 
while they owed me twice as much for grain which I furnished 
them. Therefore, if you can not get prompt payment either in 
merchandise there, or in drafts or letters of exchange here, with- 
out mixing up with them in some way the accounts of other people, 
try to sell the wheat to the best advantage for me but do not give 
it out on credit. 

By and by I shall send you some law books but have not time 
to do so now. I send you however, by hogcs, de Jwllantsc recht- 
geleertheyt, 4 ® which is not yet bound. 

You need not send me copies of letters which you know have 
reached me but of those which have not arrived, like those sent 
by de liefde which were taken to Dunkirk. It is a good plan how- 
ever to send by the next ship copies of the letters sent by the pre- 
ceding ship for fear that they may not have arrived, especially if 
goods were sent by them, as in that case demands might be made on 
the underwriter on presentation of the second bill of lading. 

As to Cornell's Teunissen van niekerck, 50 do as you think best and 
as is most advantageous to me. If he is not capable, leave him 
as he is; but if he behaves well and is able treat him like the others. 

It was very wrong of you to say to Director kicft that he should 
charge the duty on the skins to my account there ; I do not owe the 
duty in that country but here when the skins have arrived and 
when they do not arrive I do not owe any duty ; but I wrote you 
to pay 5$ for the freight of the goods sent over, according to the 
Freedoms ; however, inasmuch as the ships generally receive their 



40 Hugo Grotius. Inleiding tot de Hollandsche rechts-geleertheyt, the fust edition of 
which appeared in 1631, and the eighth edition in 1641. See article on this work in 
Robert Fruin's Verspreide Gesckriften, 8:10-31. 

" Probably a mistake for Cornelis Tcunisz van Meerkerck. 



VAN RENSSELAER B0W1ER MANUSCRIPTS 565 

cargo here it is best that the freight be paid in this country, espec- 
ally as the skipper who is his own master has agreed that I should 
pay him on his return for my goods and the board of my people 
toward which I had to give him here for each person f2o in cash, 
contrary to custom ; herewith I end. 

P. S. I forgot to write in the letter about the carpenters who 
have no work especially in the winter when the wood [cells] are 
closed and [the trees] fit to cut down. A goodly number of oak 
trees should then be cut down, using as much as is necessary for 
timber and cutting the others to the length of pipe staves, which 
measure the cooper will probably know. It is about four feet, 
rather an inch longer than shorter. These lengths may then at :i 
convenient time be split into staves, so that you must take this 
into consideration and pay due attention to the splitting of staves, 
for these might be used to make barrels in which to send flour to 
Virginia and bring back tobacco, so that the splitting of staves is 
a very important matter. And in order to get the work done more 
cheaply you might give the carpenters piecework and, with the 
advice of Jan Coruelisscn, andrics dc vos and Cornclis Tcunisscn, 
settle for yourself how much each carpenter ought to accomplish 
per day in the way of felling trees, sawing or splitting; but you 
must be sure about the proper length of the staves and when there 
is an opportunity you must find out where the most suitable trees 
for this purpose are and make plans for everything that is neces- 
sary thereto. 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting the 
sale of powder, lead and firearms to Indians 51 

July 18, 1641 

As the council of the colony of Rensselaerswyck notice that many 
persons and inhabitants of the colony make bold against the order 
of the ordinance of the Chartered West India Company to sell to 
the Indians or savages, who frequent these parts, firearms, powder 
and lead, which might cause great harm, with regard both to war 
and to the great dispute between our patroon and the Company. 

Therefore, every inhabitant of the said colony, whoever he may 
lie, is expressly prohibited from selling, repairing or lending any 



51 V.R.B. Mss 23. Other copy in V.R.B. Mss 31 and third copy dated July 1641, 
in handwriting of Antony de Hooges, in V. R. B. Mss 18, where it follows the 
ordinance of Aug. u, 1641, with the note: The following ordinance belongs to the 
preceding one. 



566 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

firearms, powder or lead, on forfeiture of ico guilders and on 
pain of being sent home under such sentence as the case shall 
warrant, and any one who shall inform against a man who has 
acted contrary to this ordinance shall receive 50 guilders as a re- 
ward. Thus done in the colony of Rensselaerswyck this 18th day 
of July 1641. 

By order of the council of the said colony, 

In my presence, 

Arendt J 'an Curler, Secretary. 
[Endorsed] Publication concerning powder, lead and firearms. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft r ' 2 

July 19, 16 y 1 

a - .- I 
Willem Kieft, director in New Netherland 

This 19th of July 1641, in Amsterdam 
On the 14th of May last, on account of the hurried departure 
of the ship den cyckenboom, I was obliged to reply in haste to your 
honor's letter of the 12th of October 1640. This letter by the 
bearer anthonie de hooges, underbookkeeper and assistant of the 
colony, serves only as a confirmation of the other, supplemented 
by the usual message and kind request to help him send my people 
and goods to the colony. With that end in view I have given him 
a letter of recommendation to your honor. He has also with him 
the invoice of my goods; if your honor should like to see it he will 
show it to you, and if your honor should find anything in there that 
you like you might pick it out. It is unspeakable what trouble 1 
have in sending my goods thither as I do not know at all on what 
to count, otherwise I should already have sent you a good draught 
of French wine, as I suppose the Spanish is more abundant there. 
My goods which had lain for a long time in the warehouse to be 
sent by the ship den harinck came back by the lighter and had 
thereafter to be loaded into den Engel gabriel, which arrived [at 
the Manhattans] in the winter and sailed again before I could 
receive tidings of the arrival of my goods in the colony, much less 
obtain any furs or letters. With the ship den waterhont, it went 
better. However, it sailed so unexpectedly that my letters to you 
remained behind, although, when 1 delivered my letters to the presi- 
dent on Wednesday, he said that matters would be determined. 



•"•'- J'. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i40l>. 



VAN RENSSELAER P0WIER MANUSCRIPTS 567 

upon on Thursday and that the ship would have to wait therefor. 
These letters, having thereupon been sent by Cornells iiiclyn, were 
taken to Dunkirk but recovered and lately sent by den eyckenboom. 
This year the worst that happened was that my goods which were 
in the warehouse in time had to stay out of den eyckenboom though 
the fact that the animals got in made it bearable. The goods 
which were already then in the warehouse have even now to stay 
for the larger part out of this ship and are waiting for the third 
ship, which is the most vexatious thing in the world. I made 
some inquiry as to the cause of it ; linclaen 53 in the warehouse said 
that he had orders not to load my goods and, when at the last 
minute I inquired about this, I could not find out who the man was 
who had forbidden this. However, I can guess the reason, namely, 
that there are some directors who hold that I must pay such duties 
as the recent Freedoms prescribe. In that case no one could be sure 
of the future, whereas one who has already obtained his right is 
not subject to future changes; in this contention, when I further 
urged the matter, I received the full approbation of their High 
Mightinesses for myself and my successors forever, which docu- 
ment I have already shown to the Hon. Coenradus. I at once re- 
ceived permission to proceed with the loading but the ship was 
then so full that the greater part of my supplies are still left out 
and will follow by the next ship. Is it not vexations also that I can 
not get any payment for the grain of which you sent me the ac- 
count and which was already delivered in 1638 and 1639? I re- 
ceived toward this fi 272, to which must be added f22<8 charged 
to me for i8<2 interest on fi2oo which I had to pay the first of 
August 1639, making fi5oo, but a great deal more is due to me. 
They quarrel with me about the rest because at the end of the ac- 
count, which your honor sent me and which I had to show them, 
it was stated that the freemen of the colony owed about f2000. I 
have advised you of the amount in dispute. In fine, for the grain 
which is of such high grade, for which one has to wait so long 
before it is ripe, and to get which one must first throw good grain 
into the soil, then thrash it, an I thereafter deliver it, for this after 
it is delivered one has to wait a long time before the accounts arc 
settled, first because the accounts which are sent i.i ( )etober entered 
only the quantities delivered in May, and then because the ship 
was so long on its way, and finally because they wanted to balance 
the grain which was delivered in June and July 16385 when Jacob 



53 Probably a mistake for Einclaen; see order to Job Arisz, July 10, 1641, on p. 556. 



568 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

plane k left, not only for payments clue on the first of August 1639 
but also for 18^ interest which I had to pay to the first of August 
1640; so that, deducting therefrom f228 as aforesaid and adding 
thereto the £1272 which I receive!, I received in all t'1500 as afore- 
said in August 1640, which was the first money I have received for 
all the grain delivered by me since the year 1632, everything being- 
paid [by way of liquidation of] accounts drawn up at their pleas- 
ure, without evidence, either against or without my order and en- 
tirely without receipt from my people. Whether these things are 
endurable I leave for you to consider ; and I should not object either 
if your honor sent these complaints to the lords directors. I have 
the more reason to complain as grain is ready money and ready 
money from Brazil is at 18;/ premium, more or less, while instead 
of giving me 18$ additional they make me pay 18$ interest. I have 
patiently endured all this till now; I would have suffered it still 
longer if it had not been that your honor's complaint conflicted with 
those of my people, as your honor says that they have delivered 
little or nothing whereas they complain that instead of fio they 
can get fi2 [a mudde], yes, that grain is sold at the manhatans at 
f3 y 2 a schepel. 04 I am therefore forced to issue this order that 
they must deliver my grain to the Company before any one else, 
provided you pay them what they can get from others and do not 
credit this on account but pay for it on the departure of the 
vessels with collectable letters of exchange or drafts. What I owe 
the Company I am also ready to settle in cash or negotiable paper 
without mixing them with or balancing them against any accounts 
of my people who are in debt to me. It is [no] more than reason- 
able that upon my account is entered what is delivered to my com mis 
or to those to whom I give credit but that every one should charge 
my account, as has now been done for 11 years, is unbearable and 
would tend to my ruin. 

Further, sir, as we must adopt a definite basis for mutual trans- 
actions between the Company and myself, I say frankly that the 
Freedoms granted to me form the standard according to which 
we must regulate ourselves on both sides. If you have permission 
to deal with me from the honorable directors, we shall have no dif- 
ficulty in coming to an understanding; but if they should have 
any objection to it, I would like to be informed of it. It is a very 
dangerous business if succeeding administrators want to alter the 
privileges granted by their predecessors; if their successors in turn 



M Equal to f 14 a mudde. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 569 

change the limits set by them, great changes will soon take place 
when one third [of the directors retire] and what certainty will 
the people have from one [administration] or the other? It is 
right to make changes upon proper information, but not with re- 
gard to those who have already obtained their rights. In their 
leases, I have imposed tithes upon my people for the support of re- 
ligion (as at the first opportunity I expect to seek a suitable minister 
and have given orders to build a church) and also for the support 
of the officers and of justice, but I have not done this during the 
term of their service but when it expired and they and I were free. 
Whether broer Cornells has clone me good service with regard to 
this matter I know partly but he knows best of all. Sir, the state- 
ment that I have been untruthful is a pill I can not swallow as I 
have never to my knowledge lodged either hypocrisy or lies in my 
heart. Your honor understands the matter quite differently from 
the way it is ; you observe and contend that I have complained 
about you ; such is far from me. I have thanked you and do so 
again and most heartily, most of all for the good plan which you 
devised and carried out to my great service of sending my horses 
up the river in lighters for lack of other vessels ; but as according 
to my Freedoms I rightly maintain that I am not bound to pay 
for this, since the Company promises to send the animals there free 
when there is room in the ship and the said lighters took the place 
of the ship, [for this reason] I tried to avoid paying for it and 
not for the purpose of checking you as if you had charged for 
more days than it took in reality. Far from it, that would have 
been very ungrateful and unfaithful toward your honor, instead of 
grateful. On the contrary my complaints tend to the advantage 
of your honor who stands up so well for the Company's rights. 
In which matter I also said, not to you but to the Company, that 
these lighter charges were trifling compared with the ship freights 
from here to New Netherland. I do not refer to what was done 
about the lighter charges but claim that as sea vessels and sloops of 
the Company often lie idle at the wharf without making a voyage, 
it could have been arranged to send up the sea vessels ; and [if it is 
alleged that] if these vessels were used then here and then there for 
the Company the voyage would take longer than it need otherwise 
with diligence take. I explain that in six or eight days a trip can be 
made from above to the mouth of the river. That this is the truth 
1 can easily get attested as there are examples of small vessels 
coming down from above in 24 hours. Even if it had been 30 



5/0 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

days each time, it woul 1 still be less than to come from there here, 
They have [never?] according to their promise transported any 
animals for me [free?] 55 but once consented to take six calves in 
the ship upon con flit ion that in case of need they might throw them 
overboard, which they actually did when they got out to sea; 
there was reason to, but the clause made them decide to do it sooner 
than they would otherwise perhaps have done. 

Mere your honor has my sincere declaration in regard to this 
matter. If I have reason to thank you and the Company has rea- 
son to laud your carefulness, must this now cause you to break your 
friendship ? It seems to me unreasonable and uncalled for ; if I 
had said " the director charges me but six or eight days whereas 
they have been thirty days on the way," that would be to your 
disadvantage but being obliged to you while yet dissatisfied and the 
Company having reason to praise you for doing your duty, I hope 
that you will continue favors which you commenced to show me; 
upon which I shall await your reply. At all events, if your honor 
should be inclined to warn me once more and, as this time no other 
arrangement has been mace by me, to lend me once more a helping 
hand or to give me good advice as to what I had better do in this 
matter in the future, I should like to know in what way I can please 
your honor and hope at the first opportunity to obtain your honor's 
definite answer with regard to my previous letter. I would decide 
to keep a vessel in the North River myself but that as yet I have 
received but few returns compared with my large consignments. 
I hope that now it will begin to go better, were it only that I could 
make more definite and liberal arrangements; and as I find that 
other colonies are to be founded on the North River, my preroga- 
tive respecting it under the fifth article of my Freedoms ought at 
any rate not to be diminished or disputed. For a while, it is true, 
I shall not be able to do much ; nevertheless, every one likes to hold 
on to what belongs to him by good title. I am surprised that the 
English are said already to deliver grain, both those of Virginia 
and those of New England, though flour is still one of the best 
articles that is traded in Virginia for tobacco; if it were not that 
I wished to deprive the Company of all chance for trouble, I would 
already before this have made my plans accordingly. That your 
honor received so little grain from my colony is principally due to 
the fact that they can get more for it from others; it seems that 
with them the highest price is the supreme law and, as during the 



bben naer hare belofteti haer teven mij eenige beesten overgevoert. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 57 1 

last years so many farms have been established at the manhatans, 
I am half inclined to trade with Virginia which is much nearer 
than the island of the West Indies while its tobacco is also much 
better and its price reasonable. If I had a vessel I would make a 
small venture. 

Broer Cornelissen writes that you urge him to have me appoint 
an agent 56 at the manhatans. If I could find a suitable man I 
would have done so already. However. I can not see that accord- 
ing to article 28 I must do this, but only that I am allowed to do 
so and as to the report which I am bound to make, I could not do 
anything more than communicate to your honor what goods and 
people go thither and come back, also how much grain comes from 
there; other particulars I do not know myself for I only know what 
brocr eornelis. Arent van Corler or others communicate when con- 
venient. Wishing to be further informed regarding your honor's 
intentions as to these matters, vale. 

N. B. If I have been remiss in one thing, the Company is remiss 
in ten things at least. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van der Donck 57 
July 23, 16 41 

Adriaen van der donck, officer, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

This 23d of July 1641, in Amsterdam 
Of your honor's safe arrival and that of the other people and 
goods, especially the animals, I hope to learn with joy in due time 
and with still greater joy that you have not only arrived at y out- 
place of destination in the colony but that you have duly settled 
down to enter with fidelity and zeal on the one hand upon the ex- 
ercise of your office, and on the other upon the cultivation of your 
farm (may the Lord our God bless both). Herewith go again 
some persons; two in my service and seven freemen, among them 
Johan v r beek, tailor, with his wife, from breda, recommended to 
me by your mother, according to the contract sent to the secretary 
arent van Corler. Ditto van Corler has complained to me about the 
impertinence of some of the farmers who let my carpenters go 
alxmt idle and employ others who are not in my service at higher 
wages and to my damage, concerning which I have enclosed a 
men orandum 58 in his letter which he is to hand to you in order that 



50 dai ick een agent op den manhatans senile stellen. The word used in article 28 of 
the Freedoms is gecommitteerde. 
■•'• V. R. B. .U.v.j. Letter Book, f.isib. 

•' N See p. 560. 



572 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

you may see to it that such disorder and impertinence be checked 
by ordinances of the commissioned councilors. 5 ' I doubt not but 
you will find so many of these things to remedy that you will be- 
come aware of the task of redressing them, and the delinquents of 
your fines. I send herewith enclosed authority to the secretary to 
deliver to you merchandise, at the first purchase price without 
counting any expenses, to the sum of f32 : 13, advanced by you for 
lighter charges of the animals from nacrdcn. I would advise you 
of one thing and another more at length, but the pain I suffer 
from a sound heart 00 takes away my courage. 

P. S. As several other colonies now appear on the North River, 
you must take great care to acquaint them in the beginning, with 
tact and suavity, of my rights under the fifth article, specially ap- 
proved by their High Mightinesses, and confer about it in friend- 
ship, but duly maintain my rights. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 01 

July 27, 164 1 

Arent van Curler, in New Netherland 

This 27th of July 1641 
After closing my preceding letter and sending it to you by 
anthony dc hooges two days ago, I found enough time to draw up 
your instructions concerning the three commissioners and four ad- 
junct councilors 01 ' mentioned more fully in the instructions to 
officer Adriaen vandcr donck which I enclose in this letter, 63 sent 
by JcJian Thcunisscn, 6i carpenter, whom I have engaged since as 
a freeman for four years, on condition that he serve me the first 
year as a servant at fi50 a year. Instead of fzj.o according to his 
enclosed contract, I paid him in cash f5o; this you will charge to 
his account with the 50^ advance, also his board on the ship, toward 
which I have paid already f20 just as for the others, and any other 
expenses which he may yet occasion till he arrives in the colony, 



69 gecommiteerde raden; probably a mistake for gecommiteerde en raden, commissioners 
and councilors. 

01 rf 11 gesont herte; probably a mistake for ecn ongcsoiit hcrte, an unsound heart. 

" V.R. B.Mss, Letter Book, f.isib. This letter is in the handwriting of Kiliaen van 

lri"r. 

02 rande drijc gecommitteerde en a bijgevoeckde Raden. Cf. letter to Adriaen van der 
Donck, March o. 1643, p. 639. 

B The instructions to Adriaen van der Donck arc not among the Van Rensselaer 
Bowier Mss, nor have they been preserved among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

'■' l.in Teunisz van Ley den; sailed on den Cmiinck David, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 573 

when 1 must furnish board to him and others the first year that 
they are in ray service. I should like to know how this board of 
yourself as well as of other servants in my employ is charged and 
what it costs me each year per head. This must be figured as 
closely for me as possible. / 'ale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck 65 

August i, 1641 

Cornells vander Donck, at Breda 

This 1st of August 1641, in Amsterdam 
Through indisposition I have been unable to answer you sooner; 
am now only in fair health. The tailor 63 from breda with his wife 
and still other company, together 10 persons large and small, set 
sail for New Netherland on Tuesday last ; may God be with them. 
They have good weather but the wind has changed and become 
contrary ; 1 fear that they will have to seek shelter in England. 
I could still use a smith's helper and a brickmaker. A ship is 
being made ready which I hope will lie ready to sail in a month ; 
it would be well if the men could go across in that ship, but this 
you must know that there is a smith 67 in the country but no brick- 
maker, so that the brickmaker must have a boy or other help, un- 
less he could burn brick alone. Vale. 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck regulating trade'* 

August 12, 1641 

We, Adriaen Vander donck, chief officer, 09 with the commis- 
sioners and councilors of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, to all 
who shall see these or hear them read, greeting. As we see 
and notice daily the great strife, uproar, quarreling, yes what is 
more, mutual discord, all of which are causes that generally bring 
about the ruin of a well ordered community, springing solely from 
the trade which our inhabitants carry on with the foreign residents 



05 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.is^. 

''•''• Jan Verbeeck. 

m Reyer Stoffelsz, who Aug. 18, 1639, succeeded Burger Jorisz, with whom the 
council of the colony entered into a contract on May 26, 1637, when news had been 
received of the death of Cornells Thomasz. See copy o,f the contract and Maentgelt 
Boeck, 1638—44, f.38, 48, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

'•" In V. R. B. Mss 18; in handwriting of Antony de Hooges. other copy in Ordinances, 
'639-58, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

69 Hooft Officicr. 



5/4 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

— that is such persons as have no fixed residence there and only 
go thither to practice usury, provoke quarrels and discord and in- 
cite the inhabitants to private trading of furs which causes them 
to neglect their own proper duties — and in order to stop all this 
and prevent it by proper means, we have seen fit to order, enjoin 
and command, as we do by these, all the inhabitants of the colony 
on whatever basis or under whatever contract they may live here, 
that they shall not undertake to buy from or exchange with the 
residents any goods, or in any manner let them have any beavers, 
otters or other furs, directly or indirectly, upon fine and forfeiture 
for the first offense of three times the value of the goods first 
bought, exchanged or delivered, and ico rix-dollars additional, if 
any one should act contrary to this ordinance. But, if any shallops 
or vessels of the Company or any one else come up the river and 
the inhabitants want to buy anything of which they are in great 
need, they shall ask permission of the officer, who will act accord- 
ing to circumstances. 

Secondly, no one, whatever his rank may be, shall be allowed on 
forfeiture as above, to send any beavers, otters or other furs down 
the river or cause them to be sent down, without handing in a true 
inventory of them or giving notice of their number, before they arc 
shipped. Herein we dispose as above. 

Thirdly, no vessels except those of the Company shall be allowed 
to sail down the river without inspection and they shall also give 
notice of everything they carry out of the colony. Everything 
on forfeiture as above. Done and concluded in council this 12th 
of August 1641. l'>y order of the officer an 1 council of the colony 
of Rensselaer swyck. 

Underneath was written : 

To my knowledge 
Arendt Van Corler- 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck 70 

September 21, 1641 

Cornclijs van der donck, at Breda 

This 21st of September [641, in Amsterdam 
This morning I received yours of the [8th instant, in reply to 
which it may serve to say that if the ship were now at the Texel, 
it would run out by this east wind. I fowever, it still lies before the 



70 V. R. B. Mss. Letter Book, f.152. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 575 

city, but in a few days will sail from here to the Texel and being 
there will have to wait for the wind. You must therefore not 
neglect to send your things speedily but, if your honor does not 
need these things very much, I should advise you to wait till spring, 
as the winter is now at hand and the goods can not reach the colony 
this year before the frost; also, this ship does not sail direct for 
New Netherland but first to Curacao in the West Indies, which 
lengthens the way and increases the danger especially at this season 
of the year ; but you must do as you think best. The preceding 
ship, on which the tailor from bredael sailed, was the 23d of August 
lying in England in Plymouth. I hope that it has left there since. 
It will be difficult enough for the persons an 1 goods which sailed 
in it to get to the colony before the frost. If by next spring you 
could secure an able smith's helper and a brickmaker, but especially 
one who can also make tiles, it would be well ; but you must pay 
due attention that they know their trade thoroughly and are of 
good moral conduct. I hope that your honor's son is now already 
settled and housed and that in eight or 10 days, God willing, we 
shall have tidings thereof. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 71 

September 29, 1641 

J fill em kieft, director in New Netherland 

This 29th of September 1641, in Amsterdam 
In the letter sent on the 19th of July last by Anthoonic dc Hoges 
who sailed in the ship den Conuick david, I replied at length to 
yours of October 12, 1640. On the 23d of August the said ship 
was still at Plymouth but hoping that it sailed shortly after and 
may have arrived safely before your honor receives these I refer 
entirely to my previous letter. These go by the ship de brandarys, 
which will stop first at Curacao in the West Indies, and it will there- 
fore make a long voyage for my goo's, which have already been 
six months in the warehouse. I know no better way than to have 
patience, praying Almighty God to let these and the preceding 
arrive safely without accident. 1 beg and pray you earnestly to 
favor my people and goods with your assistance, that everything 
may as soon as possible get to the colony, especially the goods sent 
by den Coninch davidt, which will have a hard time unless the Lord 



71 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Bool;, l.i$2h. 



57^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

please to grant her a speedy voyage and you second it by your 
efforts. I long to know wherewith I can recompense you for all 
your former kindnesses as well as those to come and whether my 
previous propositions please you in any way. The accompanying 
goods are numbered and marked as in margin : 

No. D a case, quite long and narrow 

No. E a similar case, much shorter 

No. 11 a cask of prunes 

No. 12 a cask of oil 
Zx, No. 13 a hogshead of vinegar 

;> No. 14 a cask of soap 
>\r/ No. 15 a large barrel with kettles and lead 

No. 16 a cask of train oil, which leaked in the warehouse 
and was not sent 

No. 18 a barrel of tar 

No. 27 a case with duffels 
If they can not get to the colony before the winter, as there are 
many perishable and liquid goods among them, you would do me a 
favor by sending them to the colony in the first sloop in the spring 
to my cousin arunt van Corler. 

It would also be a great service to me if Arunt van Corler sent 
you each year by the last sloop going down before the winter some 
cases of beavers to be shipped to me in the spring when the ships 
leave so suddenly, as did den engel gabriel, that he has not time 
to send any. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 7 " 

[September 29, 1641] 

Arunt van Corler, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

By the ship den Coninck david, by Anthonie de hoges sent to you 
as assistant, I wrote you at length and also sent you the goods 
mentioned in the invoice sent previously, with the exception of the 
following, which came back because they could not be loaded in the 
ship. The ship den Coninck david was on the 23 1 of August still 
in England in the harbor of Plymouth. I hope that it sailed 
shortly after, as it is of great consequence to me that the goods gel 
to the colony before the winter, as well as the people, 10 in number, 
sent to the colony by the same ship. I also hope that the ship den 



--V.R B.Mss, Letter Bool-, f.153. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 577 



eyckenboom, which left here on the 17th of May, having- on board 
Officer adriaen vander donck and the people whom I sent over, 
being about 20 persons strong, arrived in the^xolony in due time 
and that I shall be informed thereof at the first^pportunity. This 
serves mainly to enclose the list of the goods which remain from the 
last consignment and which are now sent via Curasao in the ship 
den brantaris; may Almighty God watch over it all. It will also 
serve to advise you that I insured 1800 beaver skins on the follow- 
ing three ships, to wit, den eyckenboom, which sailed from here in 
May; den Co David, which sailed in July following; and this ship, 
which I hope will sail in October. You can load the aforesaid 1800 
beaver skins in these three ships named; the insurance policy is 
equally valid and it amounts to the same thing whether the 1800 
skins are divided, among three ships or whether they are sent in 
one or in two of them ; therefore, as I fear that den eyckenboom 
has left too soon, I expect but little by that ship though I should 
wish it otherwise. The largest quantity, however, I expect by 
de Co: David and if this should fail, the rest by this ship in the 
spring, up to the 1800, if you have as many. As you write that 
some debts in skins are still outstanding, also that goods sent by 
den Engc gabriel are not yet sold and that the stock of goods sent 
by den waterhont is still complete, I estimate there ought to be as 
many as 1800 or more; nor need you confine yourself so closely to 
the number insured but even if there were three or four hundred 
more send those too ; it will also be very necessary for you as a rule 
to keep some skins at the manhatans ready for shipment by the 
next ship. Whenever they do not give you sufficiently timely 
notice to send your goods down, it is a good thing to have a cer- 
tain quantity in stock in the keeping of Mr kieft in order that they 
may be sent hither by his honor. You will also do well to advise 
me of the quantity which you estimate you will have during the 
year in which you write me so that I can arrange the insurance ac- 
cordingly. Write me also each time how the skins are marked, 
whether there is little or much merchandise in the country (that I 
may regulate myself accordingly in the purchase of merchandise) 
and everything else that occurs there with reference to the trade. 
You were under a great misapprehension in understanding by " resi- 
dents " the farmers or other inhabitants of the colony. I mean by 
that term such people as Goyvcr and the like who come to trade in 
the colony without authority from the Company and have no con- 
sent from me to do so. I have explained my meaning and my 

37 



57§ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

rights orally and at length to Officer van der donck, namely, that 
you can not forbid the trade to the West India Company but only to 
private individuals. Of substitution of private individuals for the' 
Company there can be no question, for next to the Company, I 
come. Should I settle the country and incur great expenses and 
should other private individuals clandestinely reap my profit? 
That is witliout right and reason; outside the jurisdiction of the 
colony I have nothing to say but within the same I have. In the 
beginning great discretion must be used, as I stated to vander 
donck, who will no doubt communicate to you everything. As 
long as 1 have merchandise private individuals shall not undermine 
and spoil my trade, but when I have no merchandise, in order not 
to divert the trade, one can be a little more lenient with them, 
though it would be best that the private residents traded with you, 
that you traded in my name with the Indians, and that they as well 
as I might make some profit. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 73 

October 8, 1641 

Willem kieft, director in New Netherland 

The 8th of October 1641, in Amsterdam 

By my last letter to your honor of the 29th past, by this same 
ship den brant arys, I recommended to you the forwarding of the 
balance of my goods which go thither by this ship via Curacao; 
I have since learned from my nephew wouter ran Twiller that your 
honor is a great lover of fine horses, which I presume are not 
wanting there, and thinking that a fine saddle looks well on a fine 
horse to show off the rider to better advantage and that suitable 
saddles can not be had in that country, I have with the advice of my 
aforesaid nephew discovered one which I hope will be pleasing, 
useful and convenient to you. I send it to you in the care of 
Gysbert op den dyck and kindly request you to accept it as a first 
sign of gratitude for the favors bestowed upon inc. I hope that 
it will arrive without damage. I have had it sewed in canvas with 
everything that belongs to it and addressed to your honor with the 
mark of the colony, as in the margin. 

This young man has asked me to recommend him to your honor, 
and although I do not doubt but that he will have stronger recom- 



78 V. R. D. Mss, Letter Booh, f.iS3b. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 579 

mendations from various other people, even from the directors, I 
could nevertheless not refuse to do this hereby. I beg your honor 
to excuse me for this and to be assured that I have tried to avoid 
it as much as I could ; sometimes these things must be done on 
account of other recommendations and sometimes on account of 
importunities. Your honor need not pay any more attention to this 
than the person's capacity and your honor's opinion of him will 
warrant. I think that this young man has a good disposition; he 
served the Company in that country from the very beginning and 
did not take sides with any faction but properly respected and 
obeyed his superiors, which I have no doubt now that he is so much 
older and more experienced he will do better than ever. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem van Galen 74 

October p, 1641 

Willem Van Galen, at Utrecht 

Tbis 9th of October 1641, in Amsterdam 

I return herewith to you the power of attorney which in my 
opinion ought to be drawn up in an entirely different form. 

First, I can not find that all the heirs of Gerrit de rcux, deceased, 
are named or represented therein. 

Secondly, the inheritance of their brother Gerrit de rcux, de- 
ceased, is not even mentioned therein. 

Thirdly, this power of attorney does not state that you may 
arbitrate or compromise but simply empowers you to begin a suit 
against me in the name of the persons mentioned. 

Fourthly, it does not give you any power to receive any money 
or to give a receipt. 

Further, my name is incorrectly given (being, not Guilliaen 
Renselaer but Kiliaen I 'an Rensselaer) and furthermore they have 
nothing to do with me individually nor I with them, but there is 
an open account concerning the service of their deceased brother 
which does not concern me alone but also others who participate 
therein with me. I did not individually enter into an agreement 
with Gerrit de mix but did so in the capacity of patroon of the 
colony called Rensselaerswyck, lying on the North River of New 
Netherland, which capacitv must necessarily be stated in the power 



W T. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.154. 



580 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of attorney or my other participants would not want to contribute 
their share in the restitution. I kindly request your honor, there- 
fore, to help the people somewhat that their business may be done 
in good order and that they may give you proper power of attorney 
and the matter remain hereafter beyond dispute; for it is incon- 
venient for me to deal with eacli one individually but I am willing 
to do so with them jointly or with the person to whom they give 
a power of attorney, in which capacity I shall be pleased to meet 
you. 

P. S. I must add that it was not I but de rcux, deceased, who 
kept the accounts; that I did not administer his property, but he 
mine; that he did not die and leave an estate in my colony or juris- 
diction but at the manhatens or in the jurisdiction of the West 
India Company, and that not I or my officers but he himself 
always delivered his grain to the Company and received therefor 
other necessaries for which he had to pay, so that accordingly the 
director of the Company, and not I, undertook the settlement of 
his estate; the situation is therefore quite different from what you 
think and the good people were not well informed simply to go by 
the report which they hear from one person or another. I have 
told jan bastiaenss right along that I will not keep a single letter 
or writing back from them and will deal in all fairness with them. 
They dream of mountains of gold but do not count on expenses. 

Journal of Antony de Hooges on his voyage to New Netherland 
in den Coninck David 75 

July $o-November 29, 1641 

In the year of our Lord 1641, the 30th of July, I commenced 
this journal in the name of the Lord. May the Lord conduct us 
to the place of our destination, in order that on our arrival we may 
offer to the Lord the offering of our lips, to Tlis honor and our 
salvation. Amen. 

N. B. In order to make this journal complete, I obtained from 
our mate the courses and changes thereof together with the lati- 
tude, and hope that your honor may not become tired of if 



76 V. R. B. Mss 24, entitled: Journael gehoud eft opi Schip den Coninck David, 
gedes line fit naer Nicuiv-Ncderlandt Anno 1641. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 581 

Journal kept on the ship den Coninck David,™ bound for 

New Netherland, 1641 

In the year of our Lord 1641, we set sail from 7Y.iv/ 
1641 with an E.S.E. wind and a light breeze, in company 

July 30 with 35 or 36 sail, among which were four convoys, 

three Pharnambocks 77 traders, four boyers 78 bound 
for Rowanc 79 and the rest French traders. When we 
got outside it became calm. We shaped our course 
S.W. when we had Camperduijn 80 E. by N. from us. 

31 In the morning there was a breeze. By noon we 

reckoned that we had sailed a total of eight leagues 
S.W. We saw 12 ships and supposed them to be 
Portuguese traders. 

August 1 Variable wind, mostly W. At five o'clock in the 

morning we sailed close to Schevelingen. 81 We saw 
upward of 20 Portuguese traders at anchor and kept 
on our way tacking again and again. In the evening 
dc BricF 2 lay about two leagues S.S.E. from us. 

2 Very light westerly wind. We had made no prog- 
ress on account of the calm. At noon we anchored in 
13 fathoms, to prevent the tide from carrying us away. 
Den Briel lay S.S.E. from us. In the evening we 
weighed anchor again and set sail. In the evening 
at the end of the first watch we again secured our- 
selves against the tide. Still calm. 

3 At daybreak we weighed anchor again. Wind 
S.W. with dark weather; the course was W.N.W. 
Den Brielt lay about two and a half leagues S. S. E. 
from us. Toward noon the ship Elisabeth bound for 
Pharnambuco, having on board the wife of Admiral 
L.ichthart, joined the fleet from the rear, as did two 
East India traders. After our admiral had spoken 
one, he continued on his way. 



70 King David. 

77 Pernambuco. 

78 An old type of sloop built very high at both ends. 

79 Rouen. 

80 Camperdown, N. W. of Haarlem. 

81 Scheveningen. 

82 Brielle, on the island of Voorne, province of South Holland. 



582 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

4 Wind S.W. At daybreak we turned south again. 
We reckoned that since we had stood out from land 
we had sailed 15 leagues N.W. by W. In the even- 
ing we went west again and reckoned that we had 
sailed 10 leagues S.E. During the night, at two 
bells in the dogwatch, s:! we took in the foresail. 84 
Had rough weather; wind W. and S.W. 

5 In the morning the wind W.S.YV. At eight 
o'clock we again hoisted our foresail and again turned 
south. We reckoned that we had sailed a total of six 
leagues N.W. That night one of the men-of-war 
lost its topmasts and we were widely scattered. Five 
of us however, namely the three Pharnambocks 
traders, with which we had made company at Texel, 
and the ship Elizabeth, kept close together. In the 
evening we turned north again and reckoned that we 
had drifted five leagues S. E. by E. since morning. 
The rough weather had separated us from the French 
traders. We once more took in our foresail. During 
the night a horse died and we threw it overboard. 

6 During the night our mainsail was torn in two; 
we repaired it and set it again. The •wind was 
westerly with rough weather. We saw three strange 
ships ; they were lying to with two courses. 85 At 
noon we set our foresail and the five of us came 
together again and were joined by a small flute. In 
the evening we turned south again. The course was 
S. by W. We reckoned that from last evening to 
this we had sailed five leagues N.E. by E. and four 
leagues N.E. The wind was west. Toward even- 
ing we turned north again with a mainsail breeze. 

7 In the morning the wind W. by N. Still rough 
weather. At noon we were in 22 fathoms of water. 
We reckoned that we had sailed nine leagues N. by 
E. In the afternoon the wind became N.W. and 
we turned again to the south. We sailed one league 
N.N.E. We again shaped our course S.W. by W. 
Had very rough weather during the night. One calf 
dead. 



s:! Tlic Dutch dogwatch is from midnight to 4 a.m. 

■" naetnen wij de foci; of de Boech. 

86 sij leyden hct met s Schozcrseijlen bij. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 583 

8 The wind N. with a fair breeze. Squally weather. 
Our fore-topsail blew away. We reckoned that on 
the whole we had sailed 17 leagues S.W. In the 
evening it became calm. The wind became westerly. 

9 Squally in the morning. During the past night we 
followed various courses. At daybreak our main 
yard broke. We found that we were off duijn- 
ckerken 86 which lay S.E. by S. from us at a distance 
of about three leagues. We saw our vessels lying in 
the scheurtje. 81 We steered north as we drifted 
toward the Flemish coast. We were in five fathoms. 
At noon our yard was ready again. We sailed 
toward the, fleet and stayed with it. We had vari- 
able winds. In the evening we turned again to the 
north. Duijnckercken lay about three and one half 
leagues from us. 

10 The wind S.W. At mess time we reckoned we 
had sailed nine leagues W.N.W. Toward noon we 
came close to the Voorlandt 88 and anchored S.S.W. 
of the Noord Voorlandt, in 15 fathoms. At noon 
there was a breeze from the E.S.E. During the 
night we ran before the wind past Gom, alias Goi- 
jingh. 89 

11 The wind S.E. In the morning we ran close by 
Kalis Klicff: H) It became very calm. Shortly after 
noon we anchored in 15 fathoms. In the evening 
there was a light breeze from the W.N.W. and 
during the night from the north. 

12 In the morning the wind N.N.W. We sailed 
close by the Singels 91 and on to Vierleij 92 and 
Bevesier ?* At noon the wind became quite westerly ; 
Bevesier lay then about four leagues from us. The 
course was S.S.W. We and the ships that joined 
company with us were still together. There were 



66 Dunkirk. 

8T See note on p. 356. 

M The Foreland; the North Foreland is the northeast corner of Kent. 

80 The Goodwin Sands. 

00 Calais Cliff. 

91 Singels; on a map of the English Channel in Seutter's Atlas Novus, vol. 1, plate 48, 
this place is located just east of Rye in the southeast corner of Sussex. 

02 Fairlight; on Seutter's map this is given as Ferlay. It is situated a short distance 
east of Hastings, in Sussex. 

08 Beachy Head; on Seutter's map the name is given as Cap Beachy or Bevesier. 



5^4 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

also a frigate and a galley, both from Vlissingen, 
and some French traders, which in the evening sailed 
cast again toward the fleet. That evening we saw 
the French coast and turned again to the north. 
Course N.W. 

1 3 In the morning the wind west with a fair breeze. 
We sailed close to shore past Bcvcsicr and again 
turned south. The course was S.S.W. In the even- 
ing we reckoned that we had sailed eight leagues 
S.S.W. That evening it became very calm, foggy 
and dark. We saw none of our company. That day 
a calf died. 

14 In the morning the wind E.N.E., still foggy 
weather. Now and then we fired a musket to which 
the other ships replied. At mess time the weather 
became clear again. We found ourselves to be near 
one another. The course was west. At noon we 
reckoned that we had sailed since last night 10 
leagues W. by S. At sundown the west needle of 
Wicht 04 lay six leagues north of us. We shaped our 
course west. The wind E.N.E. with a fair topsail 
breeze. 

15 At daybreak the Kiskassen 95 lay S.E. by S. from 
us at a distance of about two leagues. We had 
sailed nine leagues west. The wind became southerly 
and we had some fog. The course was N.W. At 
noon it cleared off somewhat. In the evening we 
came close to the high land of Dortmuijcten. 96 At 
sundown Goutstart 07 lay three leagues S.W. by W. 
from us. We saw some English vessels which tried 
their best to get around to the west. We turned 
south again. Changeable winds. 

16 The wind west. We turned to the north. We 
reckoned that we had sailed S.E. two and a half 
leagues and S.W. five leagues. At four o'clock in 
the afternoon we came close to the shore of Salcam.™ 



M Isle of Wight. 

90 The Caskets, or Casqucts; a group of rocks in the English Channel seven miles west 
of Alclcrncy. 
00 Dartmouth. 

07 Start Point. 

08 Salcombe. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 585 

We tacked to the south again and again. That 
night during the dogwatch we stood toward shore 
again. We reckoned that we had sailed eight leagues 
S.S.E. The course was W.N.W. The wind S.W. 
and a fair breeze. 

17 Very foggy weather. We sailed six leagues N.W. 
by W. The wind was S.W. We tacked again and 
again. At noon we stood in toward shore and in the 
evening we turned again S.W. We should have 
liked to go to Pleijmuijden^ to get water and hay 
but could not on account of the fog. The frigate 
which was with us stood toward shore. The galley 
also became separated from us so that there were 
only five of us left. 

18 The wind was S.W. That night we tacked again 
and again. Before noon we arrived between Pleij- 
muijden and Goutstart and tacked back and forth. 
During the night we ran closely past the Mccu- 
wcstecn 1 and let ourselves drift along in a calm. A 
dead horse overboard. 

19 At daybreak the wind S.S.W. A dense, fog set in. 
We found ourselves before the beacon of Pleijmuij- 
dcn. There were only two of us, the vice admiral 
and ourselves. We thought it advisable to run in. 
Before DracckcnkastccP we found five English royal 
vessels at anchor. We sailed on toward the east. 
Consef* and anchored there in five fathoms. We 
found the frigate and the galley at anchor. 

20 In the morning the wind was westerly. Our three 
other ships also came to anchor near us. We began 
to get our casks ready to draw water in the nearby 
village, as no water could be had where we anchored. 

21 The wind S.W. At night our crew brought over 
20 casks of water on board. At noon we got a 
quantity of hay. 

22 The wind westerly with dull weather. Our crew 
hauled water again. A dead calf overboard. 

23 The wind variable. Our sailors again hauled 
water. A dead horse overboard. 



'■» Plymouth. 

1 Mewstone; an isolated rock near the east coast of Plymouth Sound. 

- Drake Castle. 

• het Oost Conser; apparently a reference to some part of Catwater. See below. 



586 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

24 The wind westerly. Nothing else of importance. 

25 The wind east. We weighed anchor to set sail 
but it became calm and then the wind rose from the 
S.W. so that we remained where we were. 

26 In the morning there was a calm and at noon the 
wind was S.W. Onr crew hauled water again, as a 
great deal of water was spilled. 

27 The wind from the shore and at noon S.W. We 
got some more water on board. 

28 In- the morning there was a calm. At noon the 
wind blew from the sea. In the afternoon a fleet of 
English vessels bound for the Straet* arrived here in 
the Kaddcgat. h Outside the fort a fleet of Por- 
tuguese traders was seen which the aforesaid fleet 
had met. We got some more firewood on board. 

29 The wind was W.N.W. in the morning with calms 
and good weather. At noon it was still calm with 
a breath of air from the northward. We got water 
on board ; and some more during the night. 

30 In the morning it was still calm. At noon the wind 
became E.S.E. with a fair breeze. We got a fathom 
of Norwegian wood on board. Two hours before 
sundown we weighed our anchor to set sail. In the 
evening we got to a point inside the beacon and the 
five of us anchored there to wait for General Half- 
hoorn, commanding the ship Elizabeth which could 
not get its anchors clear. 

31 At daybreak Half hoorn joined us. We weighed 
our anchors and set sail, the five of us and one galley. 
The wind was E. by N. May the Lord grant us hence- 
forth a happy and speedy voyage and everything else 
that may tend to our salvation. Amen. Some 
English vessels followed us. We shaped our course 
S.W. At 10 o'clock in the forenoon we came near 
a fleet of 19 sail. We spoke one of them which came 
from Cacp de Vorde. Q Most of the rest were French 
traders. At noon Lcsacrt 7 lay two leagues W. by X. 
of us. We kept our former course. 



4 Strait of Gibraltar. 

" Catwater or Cattcwatcr, the estuary at the northeast corner of Plymouth Sound. 

Cape Verde. 

7 The Lizard. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 587 

September 

1 At noon we could not take the latitude. The wind 
was S.E. by E. By our reckoning we had sailed 34 
leagues S.W. Squally weather, much thunder and 
lightning and a hard pelting rain. The wind became 
southerly and during the night easterly. The sea ran 
high. West and S.W. with whirlwinds. 

2 After the mate had taken the latitude, we found 
that we were in the latitude of 47 degrees 13 min- 
utes and during the day we had sailed 19 leagues 
S.W. The wind was E. by N. with a topsail breeze 
and clear weather. In the evening the wind became 
southerly again and in the dogwatch S.S.E. with a 
stiff breeze and squally weather. ■ 

3 In the morning the wind S.S.E. with a fair breeze. 
We were in the latitude of 46 deg. 40 min. The 
distance sailed 18 leagues. For the most part the 
wind had been S.W. by W. It became S.W. with a 
light breeze. 

4 In the morning we turned south. The wind 
W.SW. Distance sailed iy/> leagues. The course 
south. At noon we reckoned that we had sailed 
another three and a half leagues south. The latitude 
was 47 deg. 4 min., the wind became W.N.W. with 
a topsail breeze. The sea ran high from the south. 
At night the wind was again S.W. 

5 A little before dawn we took in our topsails. At 
daybreak two English vessels passed us. After four 
bells in the day watch we turned west. After dinner 
it began to blow harder and harder. We took in the 
foresail. We could take no latitude. The distance 
sailed was 12 leagues, mostly S.S.E. Toward even- 
ing we set our foresail again. The course was 
S.S.W., the wind west with a light breeze. 

6 In the morning we turned west again. The wind 
S.S.W. The course west. At noon we were in lati- 
tude of 46 (\c^. 2\ min. The distance sailed, keeping 
on our course, was three leagues W. from yesterday 
which was Sunday. Shortly after noon we took in 
the foresail. The wind was S.S.W., course W., 
rough, squall}- weather, variable wind. 



588 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

7 At eight o'clock in the morning we turned south 

and set our foresail again. The wind W.N.W. with 
squally weather. At noon we were in the latitude 
46 deg. 5 min. The distance sailed six leagues, 
mostly N.N.W. The wind changed to the N.W. The 
course was S.W. with a mainsail breeze and high 
seas. For the first time we began to pump water 
from the hold for our needs. 

£ In the morning we set our topsails again. We saw 

a sail and passed it. We presumed that it was an 
Englishman. At noon we could not get our latitude. 
Distance sailed 23 leagues S.W., the wind N.W. with 
rough weather. In the evening it quieted down and 
became beautiful weather. Course S.W., wind N.W. 
by N. 

9 In the morning the wind N.W. with light breeze. 

At noon we were in latitude 43 deg. 28 min., distance 
sailed 30 leagues S.S.W. with a fair breeze and fair 
weather. At noon we saw a sail west of us which 
stood to the east. Our course was S.S.W. 

10 We were in latitude 41 deg. 56 min., distance 
sailed 28 leagues S.S.W. The wind N.N.W. with a 
fair breeze, fine weather. 

11 We were in latitude 40 deg. 12 min. Distance 
sailed 28 leagues. Course S.S.W. Wind N.N.W. with 
a fair breeze. Fog on the horizon. 

12 Latitude 38 deg. 40 min. Distance sailed 23 
leagues. Course S.S.W. Wind N.E., light breeze. 

13 No latitude at noon, variable winds. Distance sailed 
22 leagues S.W. Wind N.N.E. with a light breeze 
and fine weather. Clear view. 

14 Found ourselves in latitude 35 deg. 50 min. Dis- 
tance sailed 21 leagues S. by W. with good weather. 
Wind variable. At noon we shaped our course south. 

15 We were in latitude 34 deg. 24 min. Distance 
sailed 22 leagues S. The wind northerly with a light 
breeze and fine weather. We reckoned that it was 
still 28 leagues S. to the east end of the island of 
Madera. 

16 At six o'clock in the morning the island of Porto 
Santto H bore S.W. from us, distant about three and a 



8 Torto Santo, an island of the Madeira group. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 589 

half leagues; and at noon west. We had sailed dur- 
ing this day 29 leagues S.W. The wind mostly 
N.N.W., variable with squalls but mostly clear 
weather. We found that we were further east than 
we had reckoned and that we should have shaped our 
course west of Jlha dc Palmo 9 but did not dare leave 
the other vessels, as at times the weather was calm 
and at others the wind N.W. We thought it there- 
fore advisable to stand to the south with the other 
vessels. In the evening the east point of the island 
of Madera lay west from us at a distance of about 
six leagues. We shaped our course S.S.W. with a 
fair breeze and fine weather. 

17 At eight o'clock in the morning, the south point 
of dc Sorters 10 lay north of us, distant about seven 
leagues. At noon we were in latitude 31 deg. 43 
min., distance sailed 21 leagues S.S.W., the wind 
N.N.E. 

18 We were in latitude 29 deg. 33 min. Course S. 
by W. Distance sailed 33 leagues. The wind N.E. 
with a fair breeze and fine weather. At noon it be- 
came calm. At sundown the Pico van Tenerifa 11 lay 
S. by E. from us. The S.E. point of Jlha de Palmo 
lay S.W. from us. We shaped our course S.S.W. 
It became calm. 

19 In the morning we were between Jlha de Palmo 
and Tenerifa. We passed between them and were 
west of Gomcra. The course was changed to S.W. 
by S. Wind N.W. with a light breeze. At noon the 
course was S.W. We lowered our boat. The skip- 
per went to the other vessels to take his leave before 
we continued our voyage, hoping that we were out 
of danger. That night the wind became S.S.W. 

20 In the morning we had just passed the island of 
G.omcra. The wind was W. with a light breeze. 
Before noon we spoke our vessels and took our leave 
of each one by firing a salute, whereupon in the name 
of the Lord we stood out to sea together with the 



8 Paltna, of the Canary Islands. 

10 Desertas, small uninhabited islands belonging to the Madeira group. 

11 Peak of Teneriffe, properly the Pico de Teide. 



590 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

galley. May He guide us to His praise and honor 
and to our advantage. At noon the south point of 
the island of fcrro lay about four leagues from us. 
It became calm. For nine leagues the course had 
been about S.W. by S. In the evening at sunset we 
saw a sail. During the night the wind became S.W. 
In the morning the vessels were in full view east 
of us. 

21 At noon we reckoned that during the past day we 
had sailed 12 leagues S.W. The course was W.S.W. 
The wind N.N.W. with a light breeze. 

22 At noon we were in latitude 25 deg. 45 min. 
Distance sailed 27 leagues S.W. by W. Wind north- 
erly with a light breeze. 

23 It was still calm. Latitude 25 deg. 2 min. Distance 
sailed 17 leagues S.W. by W. Wind N.N.E. but 
calm. At night we shaped our course S.W. in order 
to catch the trade wind better, as daily there was a 
calm. The wind N.N.W. 

24 We were in latitude 24 deg. 24 min. Distance 
sailed 19 leagues S.W. by W. Wind N.E. We were 
hoping that we would catch the trade wind. We 
shaped our course again W.S.W. with a fair breeze. 

25 We were in latitude 23 deg. 54 min. Distance 
sailed 24 leagues W.S.W. Wind E.N.E. with a fair 
breeze. 

26 At noon we were in latitude 23 <\q^. 12 min. 
Distance sailed 28 leagues W.S.W. Wind E.N.E. 
with a topsail breeze and a fair trade wind. God be 
praised. 

27 At noon latitude 22 deg. .26 min. Distance sailed 
31 leagues W.S.W. Wind N.E. by E. with a topsail 
breeze, fine weather, good trade wind. The course 
was W. by S. 

28 Before noon there was a small travado. We took 
in all our sails except the foresail, but it did not reach 
us. It was to the N.N.W. Toward noon the wind 
became N.N.E. with a light breeze. The latitude 
was 22 deg. 2 min. Distance sailed 28 leagues W. 
by S. with good weather. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 59 1 

29 At noon we were in latitude 21 deg. 42 min. 
Distance sailed 19 leagues W. by S. Wind N.E. 
with a light breeze. At times it became somewhat 
dark but we did not get any travado. 

30 At noon we could not take the latitude. We 
reckoned that we had sailed 17 leagues W. by S. with 
a light N.E. breeze ; clouding weather. 

October 

1 We were in latitude 21 deg. 17 min. Distance 
sailed 23 leagues W. by S. Wind N.E. with a light 
breeze. 

2 We were in latitude 21 deg. 6 min. Distance sailed 
30 leagues W. by S. The wind E. by N. with a 
steady breeze ; clouding weather. 

3 We were in latitude 20 deg. 44 min. Distance 
sailed 32 leagues \V. by S. Wind E. by N. Topsail 
breeze and a good trade wind. Overcast sky. 

4 In the morning after mess we began to put things 
to order to see how many casks of water we still had, 
as each day we found another one empty. Except 
for lack of water, we were resolved to set our course 
straight for New Netherland. In the afternoon when 
all the casks had been examined, we found that of 
the 29 casks which we supposed were still left, only 
16 were full. These were provided with iron hoops; 
of the others the hoops had sprung. By reckoning 
we were still 600 leagues from New Netherland and 
the animals consumed at least two casks of water in 
three days, so that we had water for the animals for 
only 24 days. We began to look at each other. 
At last after some questions had been asked we de- 
cided unanimously that for the preservation of both 
man and beast it was necessary to go to the island of 
Christoffel 12 and continue our voyage after we had 
obtained a supply of water. We shaped our course 
therefore W.S.W. Wind E. by N. with a steady trade 
wind. Latitude 20 deg. 25 min. Distance sailed 24 
leagues. 



.» St Christopher, also called St Kitts. 



592 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

5 We were in latitude 19 cleg. 40 min. Distance 
sailed 33 leagues W.S.W. Wind east with a topsail 
breeze and steady trade wind with good weather. A 
dead heifer overboard. 

6 We were in latitude 18 dcg. 41 min. Distance 
sailed 36 leagues W.S.W. Wind E.N.E. with a 
steady stiff trade wind. Fog on the horizon. In the 
evening there was sharp lightning and the weather 
became very dark. After the first watch we took 
in our topsails as it looked very dark in the south. 

7 In the morning we reefed 13 our mainsail and furled 
the spritsail. 14 At daybreak we had a travado from 
the south which lasted three hours. Toward noon 
we set our mainsail again and shortly after our top- 
sails, and the wind became east with a light breeze. 
We got no observation at noon. Distance sailed 31 
leagues W.S.W. 

8 We were in latitude 17 deg. 14 min. Distance 
sailed 34 leagues W.S.W. ; the wind east. The galley 
got separated from us during the night. We set our 
course W. by S. We had a stiff breeze during the 
past night. A dead heifer overboard. 

9 We were in latitude 17 deg. 7 min. The course 
was now changed to west. Distance sailed 32 
leagues. The wind E. by N. with clouding weather 
and fog on the horizon. At times a topsail breeze: 
sometimes less. Toward evening there was a travado 
from the S.S.W. with rain. We took in all the 
sails. At night there fell a calm. The whole sky 
was very dark. We lay there till morning. A dead 
horse overboard. The four horses on starboard were 
now overboard and the four on port still remained. 

10 A little before dawn there came a stiff travado 

from the S.E. At daybreak the weather cleared off. 
Wind E.S.E. We were in latitude 16 dcg. 59 min. 
Distance sailed 10 leagues W. by S. Wind as above 
with a fair breeze. 



13 gijptcn; the word gijpcn means to jibe but throughout this journal *|>pears to be 
used for gcicn, also spelled K'jcn, to reef. 
u blindc; see p. 361. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 593 

ii We were in latitude 16 deg. 44 min. Distance 

sailed 26 leagues W. by S. The wind E. by N. A 
fair breeze and good weather. Course W. By 
reckoning we were still 100 leagues from the island 
of Antigo. 15 

12 We were in latitude 16 deg. 42 min. Distance 
sailed 28 leagues west. Wind E. by N. with a fair 
breeze. Weather as above. 

13 We were in latitude 16 deg. 38 min. Distance 
sailed 30 leagues west. Wind E.N.E. with a fair 
breeze. Weather as above. 

14 We were in latitude 16 deg. 40 min. Distance 
sailed 25 leagues west. Wind E. by N. with a light 
breeze. 

15 We were in latitude 16 deg. 37 min. Distance 
sailed 23 leagues west. Wind east with a light 
breeze; fine weather. In the afternoon there was a 
travado from the south with much rain. Sharp 
lightning during the night. 

16 A little before dawn we had a travado from the 
S.E. with much rain. We were in latitude 16 deg. 
46 min. Distance sailed 20 leagues west. Variable 
and clouding weather. At noon we saw the island 
of La dc Cede 16 four and a half leagues S.S.YV. of 
us; after three o'clock the islands of Marigalantc 11 
and Gucre de Loupe, 1S as we thought. Weather was 
still foggy. Toward evening we saw an island bear- 
ing W.N.W. Very foggy so that we could not make 
out what it was. We let ourselves drift before the 
wind. 

17 At daybreak we got under sail again. It was still 
as foggy as before. Wc ran to the aforesaid island ; 
on approaching it we learned that it was Antigo. 19 
We saw two ships lying in the roadstead which is on 
the N.W. side. We shaped our course W. and W. 
by N. We were in latitude 16 deg. 54 min. The 



u Antigua. 
18 Desirade. 

17 Marie Galante. 

18 Guadeloupe. 

19 Antigua. 



594 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

west point of the island Montfitrattc 2 " lay W.S.W. at 
a distance of two leagues. For 17 leagues our comse 
had heen about W. by N. and we kept our course. 
We passed just north of the island of Rodonde 2 * and 
then set course for the island of MevesP' Toward 
evening the west point lay N.W. at about two and 
a half leagues from us. We reckoned that since 
noon we had sailed nine leagues W. bv N. The 
course was W.N.W. and later N.W. After four 
bells in the first watch the south point of the island 
of Christoffel 23 lay N.N.E. from us at a distance of 
three and a half leagues. We took in our sails and 
let ourselves drift in order to remain near the road- 
stead. The wind was west. A dead horse over- 
board. 

18 At daybreak we set our sails again and ran into the 
roads, where with God's help we anchored a little 
before noon in 10 fathoms. We found in the roads 
two Zealand vessels, namely one flute and one frigate. 
Our course was changed and we drifted five miles 
W.N.W. and till morning three miles N.N.W. ; when 
we came into the roads we had but one cask of water 
left. We sent our boat ashore in haste with empty 
casks. The wind was S.E. with a stiff breeze. We 
reckoned that we were in latitude 17 deg. 6 min. 

19 During the night and also in the morning, at noon 
and in the evening the sailors brought some casks of 
water on board having fine pleasant weather. Mosc 
of the time there was a land breeze. We saw two 
sail which did not stop in the roads. T11 the early 
part of the night we took another boat load of water 
on board. 

20 Sunday; no water was drawn. Meanwhile we 
filled the casks in the hold. We also careened our 
ship and cleaned the side. Foggy weather with 
drizzling rain and calm. 



20 Montserrat. 

21 Redonda. 

22 Nevis. 

28 St Christopher. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 595 

21 In the morning we took more water on board and 
had a travado from the S.W. with much rain. The 
sea began to run high. The rain lasted till the after- 
noon. A small English vessel drifted from shore 
and the English on board had neither anchors nor 
cables so that it was carried far out to sea. The 
frigate went out and caught it again. In the evening 
we took some more water on board. 

22 We took our last load of water on board and stored 
it away. We cleaned the other side of our ship and 
got ready to set sail. The wind was S.E. 

23 At two o'clock in the night we set sail again in 
God's name. May He bring us to the place of our 
destination. The wind was variable but mostly calm. 
We ran along the island to the Sant punt; 24 at day- 
break we were close to it. We ran between the 
island of Eustachio 25 and the Sant punt of Christoffcl, 
along a reef which projects from Christoffcl. The 
course was N. by W. and 'N.N.W. We passed the 
islands of Saba and Bartholoincus. 26 We spoke a 
small bark which came from the island of St Marten 
and learned that there were no ships near the said 
island which made us feel more at ease in passing 
it. We laid our course close to St Marten and found 
the above statement to be true. In the evening we 
came close to the north point 27 of the aforesaid island 
which bore north. We were almost becalmed and 
therefore did not quite dare stand on because of 
getting near the island of Sombrero. We took in 
our topsails and tacked back and forth. The wind 
was E. and E.S.E. with squalls. From the santpunt 
we had sailed about nine leagues averaging a N.N.W. 
course. 

24 One hour before daybreak we set our sails again 
There was a light N.E. breeze. We sailed a half lea- 
gue below the lower point of St Marten and so on past 
the island of Anguilla. Wind N.N.E. We ran to 
the westward of the island of Sombrero not being able 



24 Sandy Point. 

* St Eustatius. 

88 St Bartholomew. 

V Should probably be ; the south point. 



596 NEW. YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to sail any higher. We were in latitude 18 deg. 6 
min. The north point of Anguilla lay then E.N.E. 
of us at a distance of about four leagues and Som- 
brero N.E. by N. one league. In the evening Som- 
brero lay E.N.E. of us at a distance of about two and 
a half leagues. It fell calm. N.W. of us we saw 
another island. The wind changed to W. and W.N. 
W. We turned north. Course N.N.E. At the end 
of the first watch we sailed above Sombrero having 
it E.S.E. of us about a half league off. Light breeze. 

25 At daybreak Sombrero lay south of us about two 
leagues off. Wind W.S.W. with a heavy sky. We 
had much rain. At noon there was a travado from 
the S.W. with a pelting rain. At noon we saw an 
island bearing south. Course N.N.W. with squally 
weather. We took in our topsails. Variable wind. 

26 Weather continued squally. We were in latitude 
19 cleg. 52 min. Distance sailed 24 leagues N.N.W. 
Wind mostly S.W. but variable. 

27 We were in latitude 21 deg. 10 min. Distance 
sailed 21 leagues N.N.W. Wind S.S.W. with a light 
breeze. 

28 Latitude 22 deg. 43 min. Distance sailed 25 leagues 
N.N.W. Wind S.W. Now and then we had squalls. 

29 We were in latitude 23 deg. 8 min. Distance sailed 
seven leagues N.N.W. It had been calm since even- 
ing and still continued so. Today we tarred our ship. 
A dead sheep overboard. 

30 We were in latitude 23 deg. 20 min. Distance 
sailed four leagues N.N.W. During the past day it 
had been very calm ; now we got a light breeze. 

31 We were in latitude 23 deg. 46 min. Distance 
sailed seven leagues N.N.W. A gentle S.S.E. breeze, 
almost calm. During this day we passed the Tropic of 
Cancer. 

November 1 We were in latitude 24 deg. 36 min. Distance 
sailed 14 leagues N.N.W. Wind E.S.E. with a light 
breeze, fine weather. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 597 

We were in latitude 25 deg. 44 min. Distance 
sailed 18 leagues. Wind mostly S.E. with a light 
breeze. During the night we had a travado from the 
E.N.E. We reefed all our sails. The wind went 
around the entire compass. It was the hardest tra- 
vado we had had. It blew very hard with much 
thunder and lightning and hard pelting rain. 

At half past two o'clock in the night the wife of 
Govcrt Loockcinaiis gave birth to a daughter. 28 Thus 
was our number increased; God be praised. In the 
morning after breakfast we set our sails again after 
having had very rough weather during the night. 
The wind was west; thereafter E. by N. The sea 
began to run high from the north. No latitude was 
taken at noon. We reckoned that we had sailed 14 
leagues N.N.W. 

In the morning after the dogwatch we took in the 
foresail and let ourselves drift with the aftersails. 
It began to blow very hard and to look ugly. At 
daybreak we took oft the foresail bonnet 21J and stood 
on with the courses. The wind was E.N.E. We 
were not able to take the latitude at noon. The 
distance sailed was 16 leagues N.W. by N. Wind 
as above. Rough weather, high seas and fog on the 
horizon. In the evening the wind began to turn 
soutTierly. 

We were in latitude 28 deg. 51 min. Distance 
sailed 23 leagues about >N. by W, Wind S.S.E. 
Topsail breeze, good weather. In the evening at 
sunset we had a severe travado with heavy thunder 
and lightning and hard rain from the west. We had 
taken in all our sails and let ourselves drift. Toward 
the end of the first watch we made sail again. The 
wind S.W. with an overcast sky. 

At the beginning of the day watch we took in the 
topsails and reefed the courses. A travado sprang 
up from the north. We lay with the ship's head to 
the east and at daybreak to the west. It began to 
blow harder and harder. We sent down both our 



28 Marritjo, daughter of Covert Loockermans and Ariaentjc Jans, baptized Dec. i, 
1641. N. Y. Reformed Dutch Church, Baptisms, l:i2. 

29 Bonnet; see note, p. 371- 



598 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

yards and set the spanker. The wind west by north. 
At noon we could not take the latitude. We reckoned 
that we had sailed and drifted 11 leagues about N.N. 
W. Wind N. with rough weather and high seas. 
In the afternoon we bent a new mainsail and set it. 

7 At eight o'clock in the morning we set our foresail 
again and stood to the west. We were in latitude 29 
deg. During the past day we had sailed and drifted 
12 leagues about S.W. by W. The wind mostly 
north, stiff breeze and clear weather. 

8 In the morning we set our main topsail again. No 
latitude at noon. Distance sailed 10 leagues about 
W. by S. The wind north with a topsail breeze. 
High seas from the north and overcast sky. 

9 We were in latitude 29 deg. 15 min. Distance 
sailed 14 leagues. The wind N.E. with a light breeze. 

10 We found that we were in latitude 30 deg. 13 min. 
Distance sailed six and a half leagues about N.W. by 
N. Wind variable and for the most part calm. In 
the afternoon a topsail breeze sprang up from the 
E.N.E. 

11 We were in latitude 32 deg. 39 min. Distance 
sailed two and one third leagues N. by W. The wind 
E.N.E. By reckoning we were still 34 leagues from 
shore. 

12 We were in latitude 33 deg. 43 min. Distance sailed 
31 leagues north with a stiff topsail breeze and bad 
weather. At noon we saw breakers near our ship. 
We hove the lead but found no bottom. 

13 We were in latitude of 35 (leg. 54 min. Distance 
sailed 33 leagues N.E. The wind became south and 
during the morning it remained S.E. by E. In the 
evening and at night we hove the lead but found no 
bottom. 

14 We were in latitude 38 deg. 5 min. Distance sailed 
32^ leagues north. The wind south. During the 
night we had a stiff breeze which calmed down at 
daybreak. We set our course N.W. to get to the 
coast as by reckoning we were not far from it. It 
was foggy weather. In the morning we were be- 
calmed. Very dull weather and much rain. The 
sea ran high. 



VAN RENSSELAER B0WIER MANUSCRIPTS 599 

J 5 In the morning a stiff N.E. breeze sprang up. 

Drizzling rain and dark weather. We got no obser- 
vation at noon. We reckoned that we had sailed n 
leagues N.W. By reckoning we were in latitude 38 
deg. 38 min. At noon we sounded and found no 
bottom. We shaped our course N.W. by W. to reach 
the coast. It was very dark foggy weather with a 
stiff breeze and high seas. Wind N.E. At four bells 
in the afternoon we took in our topsails and spritsail. 30 
We hove the lead again and found bottom at 38 
fathoms. It was coarse sand with black specks ami 
small broken shells. A storm came up so that we 
took in the foresail and let ourselves drift with the 
mainsail and spanker. The wind was E.N.E. with 
dark weather and drizzling rain. In the evening after 
the watch was set we sounded and found 35 fathoms, 
sand as above. In the first watch we took soundings 
again at 25 fathoms, very fine sand, ash-gray with 
black specks. We put the ship's head to the north to 
get near the coast as with that wind we could stand 
off and on. After the dogwatch we found ourselves 
in 23 fathoms, sand as before. 

16 At daybreak after having had stormy weather we 

hove the lead and found 22 fathoms. We were 
afraid of a S.E. wind and therefore turned to the 
east to get somewhat further off shore as it blew very 
hard with dark weather, drizzling rain and high seas. 
At noon we reckoned that since noon of the day 
before we had sailed and drifted 10 leagues about 
W.N.W. and that we were in latitude 38 deg. 54 min. 
We found soundings of 25 and in the evening of 32 
fathoms. We were then driven eastward from shore. 
We would have landed about between the suijtbaaij 31 
and the Hoof den. 82 But it did not please the Lord 
that time to grant us the relief to which we had looked 
forward so long. The hard storm obliged us to 
stand out to sea aerain and we had no sight of land. 



30 blind c; see p. 361. 

:;l South Bay, that is Delaware Hay. 

32 The headlands at either side of the Narrows. 



6<X) NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

17 The storm continued with dark rainy weather and 
very high seas. We could hardly carry a reefed 
mainsail. The wind was N.E. and N.E. by N. At 
noon we got no observation. We reckoned that wo 
had been driven 12 leagues S.E. by S. We were 
obliged to stand out to sea as we did not dare touch 
a sail and did not know how the wind might turn. 
Toward evening we took in our mainsail and hauled 
to the wind, with a reefe.l spanker. The storm con- 
tinued. Wind became N. and we were driven S. 

18 We took the latitude at noon and found that it was 
37 deg. 8 min. We had been driven 16 leagues 
mostly south. The wind was mostly N. with the 
same storm as before; the sky not clear. In the 
afternoon we turned west again and set our mainsail. 
Toward evening the weather began to calm down 
some. We set our foresail. 

19 At noon we got no observation. We reckoned 
that we had sailed 12 leagues W.S.W. In the fore- 
noon we bent a new foresail as it began to blow 
harder and harder from the north. Shortly after 
noon we took in the foresail again as it stormed 
again just as hard as before. 

20 We got no observation at noon but we reckoned 
that we were in latitude 36 deg. 18 min. Distance 
sailed and drifted 11 leagues S.W. The wind N. 
with the same storm as before and overcast sky. 
Vapors rose from the sea as from a boiling pot taken 
from the fire and were drawn in long rays toward 
the sky. 

21 At daybreak we set our mainsail again to steady 
the ship against the sea as we shipped much water 
and were tossed about badly. At noon we found 
ourselves in latitude 35 deg. 23 min. We had been 
driven 14 leagues S.S.W. Wind was N. by W. with 
a severe storm and high seas. Clear on the horizon 
and bright sunshine. Toward evening the weather 
began to grow calmer. Toward the end of the dog- 
watch we set our foresail again and sounded bottom 
at 50 fathoms, ashy soil with small pebbles. The 
weather began to calm down again. 



VAN RENSSELAER B0W1ER MANUSCRIPTS 601 

22 At daybreak a topsail breeze sprang up from the 
west. We set our course N.N.W. to try once more 
to reach the coast. At noon we were in 14 fathoms 
of water. For about six leagues the course was 
about W.N.W. At noon we got no observation but 
reckoned that we were in latitude 35 deg. 32 min. 
Foggy weather with an overcast sky. At three 
o'clock in the afternoon the wind became north again 
with a sudden burst so that we could hardly get in 
our sails. It blew a storm once more. That night 
in the dogwatch the weather quieted down some- 
what and we set onr foresail again. 

23 In the morning there was a N.W. topsail breeze. 
We set both onr courses. We were in latitude 35 
deg. 55 min. Distance sailed and drifted eight 
leagues about N.E. by E. Clear sky and still high 
seas. 

24 We got no. observation at noon but reckoned that 
we were in latitude 36 deg. 42 min. Distance sailed 
14 leagues N.E. by N. The wind N.W. with clear 
weather and squalls. At noon a light W.N.W. breeze 
and good weather. Tbe wind turned S.W. We 
shaped our course N. by W. to get to the coast. In 
the evening a stiff breeze sprang up and we set our 
course N. In the beginning of the first watch we 
took in our main topsail and later our fore topsail. 
At four bells in the dogwatch we took in the fore- 
sail. The wind came N.W. and we had a storm. 
We sounded but found no bottom. 

25 In the morning the weather became somewhat less 
rough. The wind became N. by E. We turned to 
the west to get to the coast. We were in latitude 38 
degtees. Distance sailed 18 leagues about N. by E. 
After mess time we set our foresail again and there- 
after our main topsail and fore staysail. 

26 Shortly before daybreak we got a S.E. wind. We 
sounded bottom at 40 and shortly before noon at 25 
fathoms. We got no observation at noon but we 
reckoned that we were in latitude 39 degrees. 
Distance sailed 18 leagues N.W. by N. Toward even- 
ing we were in nine fathoms. We then turned 



602 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

again S.W. till we were in 15 fathoms for the 
weather was very dark. We then stood along the 
coast. 

27 At dayhreak we made sail again. The weather 
became very foggy with drizzling rain so that we 
could not see a ship's length. We anchored there- 
fore in 13 fathoms. Meanwhile we caught a large 
quantity of codfish smaller than those in Holland but 
very white. Toward noon it cleared up. The wind 
was N.W. by W. with a topsail breeze. We saw 1 
whole coast and found ourselves between Barne gat 
and dc Sad. 33 We therefore set sail. Toward even- 
ing we saw Renselaers hoeck 34 N. by W. of us 
about two and a half leagues and there we anchored. 
Wind northerly. 

28 In the morning there came a stiff breeze from the 
N.N.W. Toward noon we weighed anchor to see 
whether we could get a little further by tacking. 
While under sail we were becalmed. No latitude at 
noon. We reckoned that from noon of the day 
before till the time we anchored we had sailed six 
leagues N.N.E. In the evening we dropped anchor 
again as there was still a dead calm. At night a light 
breeze sprang up from the S.E. and we made sail. 
We came close to the hooge hocck 35 and let our- 
selves drift while waiting for the day. 

29 At daybreak we ran to the Sand />;/ ;; t :u ' and as we 
rounded it too close we got aground on a reef which 
had formed there within a year. After two hours 
we got afloat again. God be praised, we suffered no 
damage and with good speed passed between the 
Hooffdcu 37 and in the afternoon came to anchor at 
the Manhatans in front of the Smits Valeij 38 in four 
fathoms. At anchor there we found a flute, called 
the dc witte Valck, 89 laden with salt and sugar. Thus 



38 The Saddle. 

84 Sandy Hook? or Highlands? Cf. p. 38a. 

80 Highlands of Navesink. 

30 Sandy Hook. 

87 The headlands at cither side of the Narrows 

88 The Smits Vly on the East River. 
80 The White Ealcon. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 603 

the Lord delivered us at last after much adversity, 
for which be He praised forever. Amen. The next 
day a dead horse overboard. 

[Endorsed] 

Journal of authoiiij 
de Hoges, of his voyage 
to New Netherland 
beginning 30 July 
ending 29 November 
1641. 
No. 14 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornelis van der Donck 40 

December 10, 1641 

Cornells vanden done, at breda 

This 10th of December 1641 
Yours of the 4th inst. I have duly received. A ship from New 
Netherland had already arrived, by which I received letters from 
yonr honor's son, who, God be praised, had safely arrived in the 
colony. He did not send his letters to you under cover of mine, 
but handed them to a young man, who has come over too, to de- 
liver them at Breda; this young man has waited for the unloading 
of the goods in order to deliver them together with the small box 
No. C and the squirref coat. As the unloading has been somewhat 
delayed because the Company has trouble with the customs in- 
spectors of the tobacco and on that account has been retarded till 
now, I have taken the letters, which I send you herewith enclosed. 
The goods I shall also procure at the first opportunity. Mean- 
while, you might send some skipper hither, if the water is open, 
to take the same with him. How he likes the country you will 
learn from his letters, unnecessary to repeat the same here. Vale. 



V.R.B.Mss, Letter Book, f.is-jb. 



604 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis 41 

February 12 1642 

D c Johannes Megapolentis, at ScJworlc 4 - 

This 12th of February 1642, in Amsterdam 
Your letter dated the 28th of January was handed to me today 
by the bearer of this. I learned with satisfaction your reverence's 
resolution and have no doubt that if we are fair and just we will 
agree about tbe conditions. As to your honor's arrival, I wish 
that it could be somewhat earlier ; at any rate as the Company 
seems to make great haste in equipping their ship it should not be 
postponed later than the first part of March, as otherwise your 
honor might have difficulty in engaging suitable accommodations. 
And if, contrary to my desires, I should be away from home, I 
shall not be further than three or four hours away and there will 
be opportunity three or four times a day to advise me of your 
honor's arrival. As to the terms for the farmers, who in the first 
place must be persons suitable for farm work, thoroughly under- 
stand the same and be ready to put a hand to the plow themselves, 
they are very favorable, as will appear from the contracts. They 
are too long to be set forth in full but in substance they are as 
follows : each farmer must take with him at least two servants 
and one boy who understands farming and himself equip them ; 
the patroon, on his part, provides their board till they arrive in 
New Netherland at the island of manhatans and on their arrival 
in the colony causes them to be provided upon condition of repay- 
ment with grain for eating and sowing and with a suitable site on 
which to establish their farm, where the patroon will once and for 
all have a good house with [hay]barrack and barn built for 
them, which according to the custom of that country are usually 
placed near the river, the waters of which flow by clear and fresh 
and full of fish; the patroon causes them also to be provided once 
with wagon and plow and what else is needed for farming, the 
same to he kept in repair and replace 1 by the farmer; he will 
further assign them 30 or 40 morgens of land toward the interior, 
consisting of beautiful woods filled with excellent game, such as 
deer, turkeys and all sorts of nourishing fowls ; he also turns over 



« V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.155. 

<-' Schoorl, or Schnorlc, is an ancient village about six miles northwest of Alkmaar, 
in the province of North Holland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 605 

to them on each farm, from .the surplus of animals in the colony, 
four horses and four cows, of which they are to have half the 
increase, the other half to he paid to the patroon in money or in 
kind. Each farmer therefore can with little capital or advance of 
money establish himself as pleasantly and as fully as the best 
noblemen in this country. As to the rent which the patroon de- 
rives from all this, he reserves to himself in the first place the 
right of the tithes for the support of the political and ecclesiastical 
persons and whomever else he shall see fit; then, every third sheaf 
of the remaining' crop, the other two third parts being for the farmer 
for the wages of the servants and other expenses; and finally the 
right to redeem the animals. Considering now the fertility of the 
land ; the healthy climate thereof, lying as it does at 42^ degrees 
north latitude; the smallness or absence of dike or mill charges 
and of duties on consumption and of imposts and similar taxes; 
the prices at which grain may be redeemed, namely, wheat at fi8o 
a last and rye, colza, rape seed and the like at fi6o; the prices at 
which animals may be redeemed, horses at fi20 and cows at f8o; 
and further what they might profit by the fur trade, for which 
however they must ask special permission ; it can easily be seen 
how profitable and advantageous the terms are for each farmer. 

I have had some communication about this with the people, but 
would not like to promise any one anything that I could not make 
good nor would I like to be deceived by them. Though I have 
full faith in your honor's recommendation as to their conduct and 
belief, I am still in doubt as to whether they are capable of ad- 
ministering and working such farms, which is of the utmost im- 
portance to me. 

This being the case, I suggested to them whether it would not 
be better if your reverence sailed this year and, on your arrival 
there with God's help, examined with the com mis of the colony 
the number of animals and found suitable places for their farms 
and then with full knowledge of circumstances summoned them to 
come over, though I could not well bind myself absolutely in this 
mutter, as I do not know what might happen to me in the mean- 
time. However, as two have been here with their wives, whose 
outward appearance pleased me very well, I am willing to contract 
with them on the basis of the memorandum which I have of the 
surplus animals in that country; what I fear most, though they 
deny it, is that it seems to me that they are lowland farmers rather 
than highland farmers, in which case they would injure themselves 



606 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and me. My cousin Maiirus van brocckhnijscn, who lately re- 
turned from there, told me that at his departure there were in the 
colony in addition to the appointed number of animals of the old 
farmers, n colts of 1640 and 21 colts thrown 1641, also 11 calves 
of 1640 and 30 calves of 1641, though he did not know how many 
mare colts or heifer calves among them ; as the oldest of the horses 
and cows will be 2 l / 2 years old when they get there, some of the 
cows will already have calved, as they ordinarily do this the 
second year and the horses will be coming along nicely. This is 
what passed between us. 

I should be pleased if your honor could find a smith's helper 
and six or seven farm hands among whom some boys or some 
brick or tile makers' helpers ; I will give them good wages. I have 
engaged as surgeon a capable person 43 who is a member of the 
church ; he goes thither with his family and will take up his resi- 
dence near your honor's. If your honor could find some suitable 
families for the following trades I would license them for six 
years to the exclusion of all others and they would earn a plentiful 
and easy living, namely, a wheelwright, a cooper, and a shoemaker 
or the like. Next year, God willing, I would on your honor's 
advice send more farmers who would then feel all the more assur- 
ance. You might hold some in reserve with that end in view. 
Vale. 

Contract between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and Johannes 
Megapolensis 44 

April 6, 1642 

Conditions granted by Kiliaen van Renselaer in his quality as 
patroon of his colony named Rensselaerswyck and accepted by D e 
Johannes Megapolensis, minister of the holy gospel to the congrega- 
gation at Schorle and berge under the reverend classis of Alcmaer, 
attested by S r Adam Bcssels as copartner in the said colony, and the 
Rev. Jacobus Laurentius and Petrus Wittewrongel, both ministers 
of Amsterdam, as preacher to administer and perform divine ser- 
vice in the aforesaid colony for the term of six successive years 
after previous dismissal from his said classis. 

43 Abraham Stacs. 

44 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Bool-, f.156. Another translation of this contract appears in 
O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:448 40. and also, with minor changes, in 

Ecclesiastical Records of the State of New York, 1:143-45. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 607 

First, D e : Johannes Megapolensis, 39 years old, with his wife 
Machtclt Willems, 42 years old, together with his children, Hille- 
gont, Dirrick, Jan and Samuel, aged 14, 12, 10 and 8 years, shall 
furnish and provide themselves with clothing, household effects and 
other furniture and cause the same to be packed in such small and 
compact form that they can be conveniently stowed away in the 
ship. 

Meanwhile, as his six years and his salary are to commence when 
he shall set foot on land in the aforesaid colony, the-patroon in ad- 
dition to free board for them all in the ship until they reach the 
colony shall as reward for services in the meantime, pay him the 
sum of f3CO once, without deduction. 

An in case it should happen (which the Lord God in his mercy 
forbid) that he and his family should fall into the hands of the 
Dunkirkers, the patroon promises to use all diligence to procure his 
ransom, afterwards when convenient, once more to further this voy- 
age and to cause to be paid him during his detention for the support 
of himself and his family f40 per month and also the same amount 
here monthly, after he shall have received his dismissal or instruc- 
tions and shall have transferred himself hither, until he embarks. 
On his arrival in the colony, by God's help, the patroon shall cause 
to be shown to him where he and his family shall lodge at first until 
a fit dwelling shall be erected for him. As soon as he shall reach 
the colony, his hereafter mentioned salary shall commence and his 
board cease and the patroon be discharged therefrom. 

[For] which salary, in order that he and his family may be able 
to maintain themselves honorably, that he may not be obliged to 
have recourse to any other means, whether tilling the land, trading, 
the keeping of animals, or such like, but [employ himself] in the 
diligent performance of his duties to the edification and instruction 
of the inhabitants and Indians without giving offense to any one, 
which he also agrees so to perform, the patroon promises him for 
the first three years, meat, drink and whatever else he may claim 
in that line, one thousand or ten hundred guilders a year, one half 
here in this country and the other half, proper accounts being kept, 
there according as he requires it in provisions, clothing or anything 
of the kind at the ordinary and usual prices, and in addition to this 
yearly 30 schepels of wheat and two firkins of butter, or in place 
thereof, f6o in credit. Should the patroon be satisfied with his 
services, he shall give him for the three following years an increase 
of f2co a year. 



608 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

In case of his decease within the aforesaid six years, at which 
time the salary shall cease, the patroon shall pay to his widow, be- 
sides the balance of the half year on which he shall have entered, a 
yearly sum of fioo until the expiration of the aforesaid six years. 

All of which, besides doing such services and favors for the 
patroon as he can without interfering with or neglecting his duties, 
the aforesaid Johannes Megapolensis agrees to, with promise to 
comport himself as a faithful subject and inhabitant of the colony; 
the aforesaid patroon on his side also promises for himself and his 
successors to perform and execute what is written above, and to let 
him have proper authentic copy and commission thereof under the 
seal of the patroon and the colony ; and in witness of the truth, 
without fraud, guile or deceit has this writing been signed by both 
sides in Amsterdam the 6th of April 45 1642. Was signed: 

Kiliaen Van Renselaer 
Johannes Megapolensis 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Cornells van der Donck 4 ' 1 

May 14, 1642 

Comelis vander Donck, at bredael 

This 14th of May 1642, in Amsterdam 
I received the letter of the 4th instant from your wife, but my ab- 
sence has delayed the answer. I have received no letter from the 
tailor 47 but understand that he has arrived and that his wife is sick. 
I hope that they are already now in the colony. As the wind is 
now east, the Company makes much haste with the ship, so that you 
will please as soon as possible send the boys hither with whatever 
else you intend to send. If this wind continues, the ship could 
run out to sea in eight or ten days, but if it changes there might be 
some delay. However, one should not trust to that; it is time that 
the people and goods come at once. The minister and his wife have 
arrived already and will today or tomorrow put their things on 
board, so that you ought not to wait any longer. Vale. 

46 In O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:440, ami in Ecclesiastical Recoxis 
of the Stan- of New York, 1 : 1 j 5 , the date of the contract is given as t lie 6th of 
March 1642. 

" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.is6b. 

*' Jan Verbeeck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS f)OQ 

Memorandum from Kiliaen van Rensselaer for Johannes 
Megapolensis 4S 

June J, 1642 

Memorandum for D c Johannes Megapolensis, this 3d of June 
1642, in Amsterdam. 

His reverence will please look after my people and goods who 
in the name of God now go over in the ship den Houttuyn. The 
persons who sail are the following : 

D e Johannes megapolensis Jocliim Kettelhcnn 

MachteltwUlems^hiswiie Johan Helms van Barll 4 * 

Hillegont, dirrick, Jan Johan Carstensen van barlt 

and Samuel, his chil- Juriaen bcstvael van Luijdcr- 

dren dorp 

Abraham Stacs, surgeon Claes Jansen van zvaelwijck 

■ , his servant Paulus Jansen van Geertruij- 

Evert pels, beer brewer denbergh 

, his wife Hans vos van badens 

, his servant Juriaen Pauwelsen van sleswyck 

Cornells Lambertsen van 

doom 

50 Hendriek albertsa van louden, 29 years old 
Geertruijt dries van doesburch, his wife, 23 years old 
head rick dries, 21 years old, her brother 

It is to be remembered that the said hendrick albertscn for his 
three, abraham Staes for his two7 Evert pels for his three, must 
pay the skipper, adriaen dircksen, for their board in the same 
manner as all the other freemen, but that the board of the farm 
hands is to be charged to me. 



48 V. R. B. Hiss, Letter Book, f.168. Another, in many respects inaccurate, translation 
of the first part, p. 609-14, of this document is given by O'Callaghan in his History of 
New Netherland, 1:451-54, and is in part reprinted in Ecclesiastical Records of the 
State of Ncvj York, 1:153-54. The original from which O'Callaghan made his transla- 
tion is at present not among the Renssclaerszvyck Mss. 

40 Given by O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:440, as Johan Helms van 
Baasle and on p. 551 as Johan Helms van Barltt, N. Brabant, the words N. Brabant 
being apparently inserted by O'Callaghan. No such place as Barlt exists in the province 
of North Brabant or anywhere else in the Netherlands but a village by that name is 
found in Sfiderdithmarschen, 1 rovince of Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia. 

60 These three names and two notes following were written in the margin of the 
Letter Book. 

39 



6lO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

N. B. The bookkeeper in the colony must regularly see to it that 
the board of the freemen is charged to their account, as Director 
kieft sometimes charges it with that of other people in one lump 
to the patroon. 

He shall take a little care that these persons may get on board 
and, on their arrival with God's help at the Manhatans, obtain from 
the honorable Director kieft that they, and also my goods, be sent 
to the colony at the first opportunity and at my expense supplied 
with food. 51 

On the arrival of these persons in the colony, he shall first see to 
it that they present themselves to Com mis Arent van Corler that he 
may register them and, with the advice of Officer Adriaen ran der 
donck, assign them to their work. If the latter should need the 
two boys from brcdacl he may take them ; otherwise, as the farmers 
quite unreasonably object to the payment of 16 guilders a year for 
each servant for my expenses and risk, my proposition subject to 
further examination there, is that the aforesaid farm hands, or at 
least some of them, be provided by the commis with board and lodg- 
ing and the wages which they are to receive charged to me and that 
then the farmers or others for whom they shall work shall pay 
their wages to me at such rates as they pay others or at discretion 
or according to the ability of the persons employed, for in this way 
I remain master of them to employ them where they are most 
needed, to wit, for farm or other work with the farmers, between 
seasons with the tobacco planters, in the saw and grist-mill or 
wherever else they may be needed, especially in the winter to help 
the farmers thrash and do what is necessary. But above all things, 
as there are few carpenters, my proposition is that some of these 
fellows who are the most capable be employed to fell trees at the 
proper season., and place and, as far as they are able, to cut them 
into logs and hew them, so as to lighten the work for the carpenters ; 
and that Hans vos ran badcns, who has been a gamekeeper,'"'- be 
employed at the proper seasons to shoot game for food supply and 
at other seasons to fell trees as he says that he can do that also, 
and if necessary to help the farmers of whose work he has good 
knowledge also. But everything must be well considered and done 
as is most profitable to me for I see that everyone seeks his own 



01 0'Callaghan's translation from the Rensselaerswyck Mss {New Netherlands 1:451) 
here adds: " and according to my cordial salutations to the Honorable Director Kieft, 
which shall be followed." This clause docs not occur in the copy of the ' Memorandum' 
found in the Letter Book. 

62 wiltschut. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOW IKK MANUSCRIPTS 6ll 

advantage and not mine. If things are done as here described, I 
remain master of my people to employ them in the way which is 
most profitable to me. I also consent that some be turned over to 
the farmers who are most faithful to me provided they pay me 
yearly the 16 guilders; but if they dispute this fair arrangement 
they will do themselves the greatest harm and make me unwilling 
to send them laborers, D c Megapolensis having seen what care, ex- 
pense and trouble it is to me. 

Maurus Jansen -van broekhuijsen, who came home before his 
time was up on a passport from the officer without bringing his 
accounts with him, and to whom, upon his telling me that some 
money was still due to him, I paid 50 guilders on condition of re- 
payment if it proved that they were not due, must repay the same 
with the usual advance. I offered him the liberty to trade in furs 
up to a certain number, just as abrah'am Staes, at 20 st a skin ; he 
would give only 15 st ; perhaps he will seek to trade indirectly in 
the colony. If he does this, proceedings must be instituted against 
him according to the contract which he made with me, his bounden 
time not expiring till April 1643 aiK ' this being at servant's wages 
unless he accepts the terms of the farm on which he has been, just 
as they are. He must do one of two things, either accept my 
terms as they are without dispute or serve out his bounden time, 
he has no choice but to adopt one course or the other. 

Hcrrlj Albertsen, who also came home before his time was up, 
has consented to pay me a guilder on each skin by way of duty but 
1 have not been able to come to an agreement with him regarding 
the quantity of the tobacco which he is to give me in addition to 
the tithes which he conceded. He has been treating with me for the 
place of ferryman, putting his house near the bevers kil, in order to 
ferry the people from there to the church neighborhood and back, 
as the church, the house of the minister, that of the officer and 
further those of all the mechanics must hereafter be built there, 
just as Abraham Staes and Evert Pels, beerbrewer, have agreed to 
settle there, for I do not in any way wish or consent that, with the 
exception of the farmers and tobacco planters who must have their 
houses near their farms or plantations, any people following other 
trader shall hereafter and on the expiration of their years of service 
settle anywhere but in the church neighborhood, according to the 
accompanying order and plan, for if everyone lived where he saw 
tit they would be too far separated from one another and in case of 
sudden attack be in peril of their lives, as sad experience near the 



6l2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Manhatcns has taught. Commis arcnt van Corler shall notify every- 
one concerned hereof so that they may govern themselves accord- 
ingly in the future. 

Jacob Jans en flodder, carpenter, has been to see me 53 to ask per- 
mission to do carpenter work in the colony. I was willing to engage 
him at the daily wages agreed upon with the freemen ; but as he 
wanted a good deal more, I would not take him on daily wages but 
agreed that, if he wanted to do certain work, I would be willing to 
contract with him upon definite specifications and at a definite price. 
I have no intention whatever of increasing their appointed daily 
wages at their pleasure ; it seems that they contract with me here 
only pro forma and on their arrival there do as they please. 

All other people whose time has expired and who remain in the 
colony, whether married or unmarried, and outsiders who may come 
into the colony, must take the oath of fealty on the same conditions 
as the other freemen who went thither made with me. And as at 
present, carpenters are somewhat scarce there, especially journey- 
men, we must exercise prudence and rather have a little patience 
than get under obligations to these people. There are several 
masters but few journeymen ; some of the fellows who now go over 
might be assigned as helpers 54 to the carpenter 55 who came to the 
country with anthonie de hooges. They will try to conspire against 
us but we must try to divert them from their purpose, and, as was 
said, rather have patience than grant them such unreasonable 
wages. The houses which were contracted for on the advice of 
Officer vanderdonck cost a good deal more than is paid here though 
andries de Vos according to his contract is bound to be satisfied with 
the latter, so that this matter must be carefully seen to. It does not 
matter to me whether private individuals promise them more than 
the prices fixed by me ; they are bound to serve the patroon for 
their stipulated wages before anyone else, but it seems that the prices 
of the private individuals fix the market for the lord patroon who 
will know how to find compensation again in some other way. 

In fine, it is better to have a little patience and to write to me 
about it than to give such extra wages contrary to the contract. To 
this end, the brick and tile kilns would be very useful, for while it 
would not cost much more the work would be much more lasting. 



03 js my aengewi 

H handtbereyders; but the memorandum Formerly among the Retuselaerswyck Mss, 
according to O'Callaptlian, lias hont bereyders, literally, lumber preparers. 
M Jan Teunisz van Leyden. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 613 

Further it is necessary to unload in the most convenient way all 
my goods which go over now and to ship them again to the colony. 
If my people have a vessel, they should be notified by an express by 
land, or much better by a small boat by water. Giving the honor- 
able Director kicft my greetings, his honor's advice should be asked 
how everything can be done to my best advantage and, as the hon- 
orable Director kicft had heretofore and still has a great deal of 
trouble with my people and goods, I send herewith as a present and 
an acknowledgment of gratitude the following: 

First, a saddle with everything that belongs to it, packed in canvas 
and addressed to the honorable Director kicft, which should have 
been received by the last ship but was sent back by mistake and 
now accompanies this, numbered No. 24, with the mark of the 
colony; also, packed in the East India chest, No. 22, are the fol- 
lowing things in my name to be presented to the honorable 
director : 

a gold and silver plated rapier with its scabbard and all 

that belongs to it 
a gold and silver embroidered baldric 
a pair of gold and silver plated spurs 
a pair of boots with spur straps 
These things having been taken out, the chest must be close! 
again. If necessary for the transportation of malt some sacks 
which are only loosely sewn, so that they can be ripped apart later 
and sold as canvas, must be taken out also and a memorandum 
kept of everything. 

The goods which are now sent over by this ship are packed as 
follows and marked as in the margin : 

Nos. 1,2, 3, 4 are four large casks containing two lasts, 

11 muddes of malt for brewing for Evert 
Pels for which he is to pay me according 
to contract 
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 are four cases with all kinds of goods 

No. 9 a keg of nails 

No. 10 a small case with lead and shot 

No. 11 a hogshead of vinegar 

Nos. 12, 13, 14 are eight cases of duffels 

15, 16,17, 18, 19 
No. 20 a case with shoes and seven hides of sole 

leather, 4000 tiles, 3000 5,; clinker bricks re- 

60 30,000 in O'Callaglian, History of New Ncthcrland, 1:454. 



614 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ceived from the Company's brick [yard] 
Z_L 20 bundles of iron rods iooolb 

? 10 " " 5001b 

>>^< 20 square bars of iron, weighing 735 lb 

10 rods of very thin iron 228 lb 
8 hoet of smith's coal 
No. 21 a case with plowshares 

No. 22 an East India chest with books and other 

things according to invoice 
No. 23 a small case with three duffels for zander- 

donck 
No. 24 the saddle 

Nos. 25, 26 two small tubs with grapevine shoots and 

madder 57 

On the arrival of the above people and goods in the colony with 
God's help, D c Megapolensis shall hand this memorandum to 
Commis Arent van Corler that he may attend to the contents 
thereof as carefully as possible and communicate them to Officer 
vanderdonck. 

While at the manhatans he shall acquaint the honorable Director 
kieft with the improper procedure of those among my people who, 
after I have paid their board and advanced them other expenses 
and money, marry there and remain at the manhatans or near there 
notwithstanding they are bound by definite contract in case of 
marriage to go to the colony and, according to the 19th article, 58 
may not be hired there. He shall request his honor to lend me a 
helping hand herein and meanwhile order Officer vanderdonck to 
serve notice on each of the said persons as well as on the hus- 
bands of the married women (provided he first obtain consent 
from Director kieft and the officer at the manhatans) to reimburse 
the patroon for the money advanced and expenses or to serve out 
their time at the place agreed upon with the patroon and in case 
of refusal to do either one or the other he shall request the director 
to lend a strong arm, at all events to [let my officer] protest against 
them especially against the husbands who by marrying such subject 
persons 59 have become also liable for their debts and promises, 
namely on forfeiture of all their goods and property which they 
had and which they shall acquire within and without the colony, 



' O'Callaghan's translation ends here. 

w Of the Freedoms and Exemptions, granted June 7, [62g 
1 v, persoonen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 615 

and in due time levy on the same and proceed therein at law ac- 
cording to the express words of their contracts. 

As to Incus Smitj 60 who is probably still at the manhatans with 
the minister D e bogardus, who would like to keep him in his 
service on condition of reimbursing me for my expenses and money 
advanced, although I would gladly do D c bogardus every service 
and favor I can not let him have this man on account of the evil 
consequences, also because at least half of my people who came 
over by that ship left me at the manhatans and vicinity by getting 
married and for other reasons as well as on account of the great 
trouble and expense of traveling, board, and agents' commissions 
which I have before I can get any servants, not to speak of those 
who run away from and desert me, and because of the great lack 
of good servants in the colony and of the fact that this is one of 
the most upright servants of that nation whom I have and that he 
will serve the others as an example. Therefore I can not grant this 
but would request that he be allowed to go with the others to the 
colony and am willing to reimburse d e bogardus for his expenses 
in connection with him. D c Bogardus should be able to suit him- 
self sufficiently upon the arrival of so many people as now go 
over for the account of the Company. D c Megapolensis knows 
how much trouble is connected with this matter, what difficulties 
I have with the Company before I can get my people on board 
and what risk I run of losing them together with all the money 
advanced by the action of some disaffected persons and will there- 
fore please to excuse me with D e bogardus. 

Herewith goes my resolution regarding the affair of Pictcr Cor- 



60 Entered in Reeckeninge der Goederen gecomen p'het Schip den Houttuijn, A" 1642, 
i.76, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, as Lucas Smith van Jehansbcrch, not van 
Icksetnburgh, as given by O'Callaghan, History of New Nethcrland, 1:440. In N. Y. 
Col. Mss. 2:4, lie is referred to as Lucas Smits van Cocrlant. Kurland is an estate 
and Johannesburg a town in the district of Gumbinnen, in East Prussia. Lucas Smith, 
or Schmidt, as his name should probably be written, arrived at the Manhatans, on den 
Coninck David, Nov. 29, 1641, and at once entered the service of Domine Bogardus. 
Aug. 13, 1642, he arrived in the colony, where till May 1, 1644, he was employed at 
the patroon's house at a salary of fioo a year. From May 1, 1644 to April 13, 1646, 
he served at the Flatts as farm hand and clerk at a yearly salary of f2oo (See 
Maentgelt Bocck, 1638-44, f.55 and Groot Bocck, No. F, 1640-50, f.18, among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss). April 13, 1646, Antonio de Ilooges, Loco D' Patroni, issued a 
certificate stating that Lucas Smith hem soo in dienst Tan sijne Heerc en Patroon als 
hii ijder ecu int. bijsonJcr J 'room en gctrouwclijck hecft gcdracgen als ecn ccrlijck en 
Vroom Jonghman tocbehoort dacr niet valt op te scggcii als ccr ende deucht — Lucas 
Smith has in the service of his lord and patroon as well as toward everyone else in 
particular conducted himself uprightly and faithfully as becomes an honest and pious 
young man of whom nothing can be said but what is honorable and virtuous (Copije 
van eenige Aden en ainlcrc Aenmerckelijcke Notilien, 1643-48, p. 46, among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss). 



6l6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

nclisscii which D c megapolensis will please to communicate accord- 
ing to my oral request. 

Furthermore, as I notice and fear for various reasons, as well as 
because of express warnings from the manhatans saying so, that the 
administration of my colony is in a very confused state, which might 
easily cause some trouble among my principal agents 61 of the colony, 
I still keep the supreme direction in my own hands nor will I 
readily cede it either for the reason that those in the colony (even if 
I were not their lord) need me here more than I need them there, 
for who will supply their necessities if I do not? Who will furnish 
them the money if I do not? All this does not even concern the 
government so that I am very much surprised at the ingratitude of 
the people there who seek their own interests so entirely and mine 
so little that when they get there they misconstrue according to their 
own desires the contracts made with me here which might easily 
cause me to abandon this work altogether for I would rather sit idle 
than suffer loss. Let them consider for a moment what it has cost 
me to establish each farm, aside from the horses, cows and land 
which I furnish them, and how much they have given me in return. 
They think that as soon as they have delivered their grain to the 
Company, I am bound to credit them with the amount. This is not 
so at all. For all the grain which they have delivered for 10 years, 
I have received no payment but the amount has been balanced 
against accounts and supplies ; so that I will not pay any one a 
single penny no matter how much they may furnish to the Com- 
pany. But what they deliver to my commis, not on the books but 
on his own loft and in his own power and possession, and for which 
they obtain his receipts, with that I shall credit them ; this as far as 
the common people are concerned. Coming now to the agents, 62 my 
intention is that everyone no matter whether he is wiser or more 
intelligent than someone else, shall be strictly and expressly held 
to his contract. The more intelligent shall instruct and admonish 
the less intelligent and seek to dispose him to do what is useful or 
necessary, also to protest, if necessary, against his not doing so and 
to send the protests to me, but in no way to trespass on some one 
else's duties and to do what others ought to do. For instance, I take 
it very ill that Officer vandcrdonck, knowing why I placed him at 
the entrance to the colony which I explained to him orally at great 



61 Committenten; constituents, principals. The term is used here .'mil in Other places 
erroneously in the sense of agents, 
95 < ommittenten, 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 617 

length, with the mere remark that there was room for only two 
farms, left that place and settled at the extreme upper end, as far 
as possible from the place intended for him, from the people and 
from the entrance to the colony where the key ought to be, and all 
this too without the consent of the commissioners of the colony or 
at least of my cousin Arent Van Corler. If below there was room 
for but two farmers, he ought to have been one of them ; matters 
being now thus and the contract being let for a dwelling on the farm 
at the upper end, I am willing to let vanderdonck keep the said farm 
for himself on the conditions made with him; but as to his personal 
residence, I can not consent to its being there as it is too far from 
the people near whom he must constantly be, so that at a con- 
venient time, when the first hurry of the most necessary building is 
over, he must cause an inexpensive house such as will meet his most 
urgent needs to be erected in the church neighborhood, where he can 
have his regular domicile in order to be present and at hand. Once 
in a while he can also inspect his farm, but that [only] one farm 
should be established there as he requests must be further investi- 
gated as I find that the place of broer Cornells and the Great 
Flats 03 together, including some woods which can easily be cut 
down, contain about 140 morgens according to the survey of M r 
Creyn Comelisen, 64 surveyor, so that by and by another farm ought 
to be established in that vicinity. It would be surprising if from 
bylacrs dal on, being four leagues upward, there should not be room 
for 20 farms as Director minuyet and wolfert gerritzen advised me 
at the time and it should turn out now that there could hardly be 
found room for a dozen. What would that be for such a district? 
D e Mcgapolensis will therefore have the patroon's commissioners 
who are not personally interested in farms, such as, Arunt van Corler 
and P r Corncliscn, with the help in this instance of surgeon Abraham 
Staes, further investigate this matter in order to send me definite 
advice as to how many farms could conveniently be established 
there according to the number of morgens which I have agreed by 
contract to furnish the farmers and how much clearing of land can 
be expected in the future. I exclude Officer vanderdonck from this 
work only for so far as he is personally interested in the matter, 
for no one may be judge in his own case. As to the tithes, a suit- 
able arrangement ought to be made whereby they shall be properly 
collected to the best advantages of the patroon, by individual agree- 



03 de groote vlachtc. 

M Probably a mistake for Crijn Fredericksz; see p. 636. 



6l8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ments with the respective farmers, by leasing them yearly for each 
parcel of land or farm to private persons upon proper surety, by 
having private persons for a commission gather them in the field 
and thrash them, or by such other means as will be most profitable, 
having in view the heavy burden of paying the salary of the minister 
and other officers which the patroon has taken upon him, which 
salaries ought to be paid out of these tithes as far as possible so that 
the latter must be sold in the most profitable way. As to the ad- 
ministration of the colony this is under the present circumstances 
chiefly vested in the person of Arent van Corlcr, [for just as] ad- 
riaen vandcr donck in case of need, represents the chief officer, so 
Corler, also in case of need, represents the director, so that the 
said Coder must provisionally be acknowledged as the first and 
chief administrator of the colony, 65 with this understanding how- 
ever, that each of them shall be unprejudiced in his rights and 
powers described in his instructions ; each of the other commission- 
ers and councilors shall also be maintained in his rights ; and the 
lord patroon expressly orders that, if any differences of opinion as 
to the meaning of their commissions and instructions should occur 
among those of highest rank which they can not settle among them- 
selves, both parties or one of them must address themselves or him- 
self to D c Mcgapolcnsis, showing his reverence besides his instruc- 
tions and commission the reasons on which he bases his argument, 
whereupon the other party having been summoned and heard, the 
decision of d e mcgapolcnsis shall stand without contradiction till 
the lord patroon sends over his decision concerning it. In all cases 
[Megapolensis] shall have an eye to the rights and advantages of 
the patroon that the common welfare may not suffer from misunder- 
standing, contention or the like; and hereby disorder shall cease and 
the patroon be satisfied that everyone acquits himself of his duties 
as he ought. 

In conclusion I commend D e Mcgapolcnsis with his worthy wife 
and children to the gracious protection of Almighty God that He 
may keep them from all hindrances and accidents, grant them pros- 
perity in the colony, bless his ministry and work to the honor of 
His holy name and to the extension of the Christian religion not 



85 aengaende dc saecke vande administrate vande Colonie tegenwoordich soo ols hy 
nu leijt cappiialyck aenComende opden ffsoon "an Areni van Corler, en adriaen vandet 
donck representee*} het hooftofRcierschap by node soo representees Corler hex directeur- 
schap dersclver Jnsgelix by voodc dienvolgende sal dito Corler by provisie moeten 
bckent worden als de ecrsie en dc voornaemste administrates der Colonie. Km- note 
on the term hooftoMcier, ste p. 283. 



VAN RENSSELAER P.OWIER MANUSCRIPTS 619 

only among Christians but, if it please God, also among the blind 
heathen in order that the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 
creator, redeemer and sanctifier to the end of the world, may be 
preached, served, lauded and praised in my colony till the second 
coming of our Lord and Savior in order that, being raised from the 
dead by I Lis power, we may possess with him the eternal joy of His 
Father's kingdom, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 
hath it entered into the heart or thoughts of man. Amen. 66 

His reverence's very affectionate 
Kiliaen van Renselaer, patroon of 
the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 

P. S. Immediately upon his arrival D c Megapolensis shall go to 
my cousin Arent zan Corler and stay with him till he shall find a 
convenient opportunity, with the advice of Officer vander donck and 
the other commissioners, li7 to have a suitable though inexpensive 
temporary house built with the intention later when the colony is 
a little more prosperous of having a larger house built for him. 
Meanwhile, as I fear that the church will not be finished yet, he 
shall select the best place that can be found to preach the word of 
God. 

The church neighborhood, where in time all mechanics must settle 
shall if it is not too late be chosen near the pine grove, on the east 
side of the river, to the south of dc lads burgh, placing the center 
thereof at the place on the river where inland the swamp is deepest 
and so may serve as defence in times of need, as abraham Stars 
knows ; and all houses must be located there as indicated on the 
accompanying small map. 68 

,;,; But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor car heard, neither have entered into 
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Cor. 
2:9, A. V. 

,;T ofUcier vander donck en dc andre gecommilteerde. 

08 De kerckebuyrte alwaer mettertyt alle ambachten Inter sullen moeten nederslaen soo 
hct nict te spade is sal genomen worden ontrent het greyne bos aende oostsyde vande 
revier besmjden "can dc lads burgh hct midden daervan nemenden ter plaetse aen 
relieve waer te landewaerts in hct Moeras hct diepste js om die in tyden efi wijle tot 
[ortilicalic te council diencn gelyck abraham Slacs hchent is en title wonninghe ^elcg/it 
worden gelyck dii nevens gaende Caertgen uytweyst 



62O NfcW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Antony de Hooges 05 
June 8, 1642 

Anthonie de Hooges, in New Netherland 

This 8th of June 1642, in Amsterdam 
Your letters from the Texel and from Plymouth, and your last 
letter from the niaiiliataiis, dated June, August and December of 
last year, were duly handed to me together with the journal 70 
which has given me a great deal of satisfaction. If you continue 
in your course and do not allow yourself to be diverted from your 
toil, diligence and faithfulness, you will, if the Lord spare my 
life, distinctly notice the results of your good conduct even during 
the term of years for which you have engaged yourself. This I 
must recommend you, as long as you are under some one else, 
do not be sullen but obey in matters about which you think you 
have good ground for being of a contrary opinion ; communicate 
this opinion to your superiors and persuade them to weigh it 
without however forcing them, for human nature is such that 
those who have charge of anything do not like to be instructed 
by those who are below them in rank. But if the case were such 
that my loss or my rights were involved to a considerable extent 
and if it were worth while (for one must not let himself be burned 
for a trifle) you might press the matter a little. But above all 
things guard yourself against the presumption of thinking your- 
self in the right when as a matter of fact some one else is in the 
right. Therefore, in the beginning, hear and see, notice and learn, 
obey and make yourself agreeable and liked; in that way you will 
be able to accomplish much. I would answer yours more fully, 
but it is now Pinkster day, the eighth of June, the wind blows and 
we must break off. What I have to observe about your letter from 
the manhatams is that you will find out that many words, even if 
they come from persons of importance, are but plumes. 1 hope 
that later you arrived safely in the colony with the goods and that 
you are helping my cousin A rait van Corler in whatever way he 
seeks my advantage in what I have entrusted to him. T am curious 
to know how many followed you to the colony. It was a mis- 
fortune that your ship was so long on the way. Have patience 
and continue to keep a full diary of every thing worthy of note 



80 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Hook, f.157. 

''" Journal of de Hooges' voyage on den Coninck David, printed on p. 580-603. 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 62 1 

which occurs to you. From this you might semi me brief extracts 
every week or mouth, for I have cause to long- to know about 
everything that occurs there, as everything concerns me and de- 
pends on me. I must end. I gave to D°. Megapolcnsis a letter 
written to you by my brother in law Johannes van zvel? 1 The 
friends are, God be praised, still well and send you greetings. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 72 

June 8, 16 4.2 

Will cm Kieft, Director of New Netherland 

1642, in Amsterdam, this 8th of June 
This unexpected breeze today compels me to make haste and to 
break off. I can not refrain from thanking your honor for your 
kind assistance with regard to my goods and the good treatment of 
my servant, Anthoonie dc hooghes, who expresses his thanks him- 
self for having been accommodated at [the home of] oloff Stcvcn- 
scn, to whom I should like to write but can not do so now. 1 
delivered his letters, sent under cover to me, to his mother. I must 
complain about the fickleness of my people who let themselves be 
held fast there at once. I have given orders to bring suit against 
them and request your honor's favor and assistance. It was very 
unfortunate that den Conin. dav. arrived so late that arcnt had 
left. I fear on that account still more calamities than I can write 
of but hope that this spring everything will have come out all 
right and that the loss will be made good. As I hear that there 
is little merchandise in the country, I commend to your honor to 
send the people and goods that go over now promptly to the col- 
ony. I also send to the colony a very pious and experienced min- 
ister who has occupied the pulpit for at least 10 years. I hope 
that the Lord will bless his ministry among the dissolute Christians 
and blind heathen and that my colony may in time reach a state of 
peace and harmony. I noticed also that those who complain the 
most about disorder are frequently themselves the cause of it. I 
sent you by the ship den brandaris a good saddle with its belong- 
ings, but whether it is the fault of the skipper or of Gysbcrtns 
opdcndijck, it has been returned to me in the cag. 73 I therefore send 



71 Johannes van Wely. 

72 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i57b. 

73 Cage, same as kaag, a flat-bottomed vessel used for inland navigation, in the 
present instance for transporting goods between Amsterdam and the Texel. The 
English word cag, as a translation of the Dutch kaag, is at present obsolete but is 
found in works of the seventeenth century. 



622 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

it to you herewith once more, also a rapier with baldric and belong- 
ings, of which our D e megapolensis lias the list and an order to 
hand them to you because of the gratitude which I owe you. 
1 'lease accept them as a mark of gratitude. I am very much 
troubled, however, that the account sent has not been settled with 
my cousin arent van Corler according to the advice of the lords 
directors and our agreement, dated the 5th of May 1639, stipulating 
that the director of the Company on the one side and the commis of 
the colony on the other side shall settle their accounts in skins or 
money by balancing one debt against another or by delivery of mer- 
chandise as fairness and circumstances shall require. That my debt 
is computed at the sum of f24o8 without my knowing the items in 
detail, 74 and without my receiving the least sign or notice from my 
commis, is directly contrary to our agreement made with the Com- 
pany. This ought not to be and I have expressly said and pro- 
tested to the directors that I will not pay or credit them a penny of 
that nature without further information and proof. 

According to what they tell me these debts arise mostly from the 
consumption of wine. Can it be that Fort Orange is a wine 
cellar to debauch my people, exhausting them as long as they can 
find something to pay and after that charging it to my account? 
1 am forced to seek some remedy or other against these things 
and request you kindly, sir, if it is so, to see to it. The law of the 
Lord commands me expressly to prohibit such excesses on account 
of the sin and the evil which may result therefrom and [I do so] 
also and especially on account of my own interests, since in these 
excesses my people uselessly squander what is called their property 
but in reality is mine. As to the customs, duties [to the Company], 
averages, and freight charges which 1 have found in the accounts, 
I have also emphatically told the directors that I am not in the least 
inclined to pay these. If they are not satisfied with the prices fixed 
in my Freedoms, let them refuse to accept my shipment; I do 
not want to cause them any loss but will send ships myself accord- 
ing to my Freedoms. This has been my frank statement of my 
position all the time and is so still, and I would not depart from it 
whether up or down, as I absolutely refuse to submit to these 
changes of the Company. I have their Freedoms given to me in 
the years 1628 and 1620 by the Assembly of the Nineteen and ap- 
proved by the High and Mighty Lords the States General. This 



74 sonder te weetten man ofi peeri brooi off wyn; literally, without knowing man or 
horse, bread or wine. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 623 

is an unchangeable law and by virtue of it as well as on account 
of the aforesaid agreement with the Company, I request your honor 
to settle with my com mis accordingly. I can easily step over a 
straw and I do not insist on trifles, but I must maintain the Free- 
doms, which I duly obtained and which have cost me so much, 
against every one no matter whom. This I told the directors 
here. They asked from me payment for the goods which come 
over now. 1 offered them to pay according to my Freedoms but 
that remained unsettled. If my Freedoms are subject to alteration 
there will in all eternity be no certainty to be had from the Com- 
pany. With regard to the discontent among my people, some who 
threaten to come home will be ordered home sooner than they 
think. I do not ask for such threats in the least ; I can find at least 
100 masters who want to go thither but what I lack most is serv- 
ants, for they must work. To finish with our old disputes, I can 
not refrain from explaining the misapprehension your honor is 
under with regard to the instrument of the 17th of March 1640; 
this date indeed refers to the period of your administration, but 
the proceedings in question occurred during the time of Crol, and 
thereafter during the time of the fiscal dinclagen and my nephew 
van Twiiler, when my people and animals were shamefully de- 
tained, about which I made due protest to the Company; I have not 
the least complaint to make about your honor in this except that 
it costs me too much ; on the contrary I sincerely thank your honor 
for your promptitude. I would write more but the time is gone 
and I must break off. Vale. 

Willem Kieft to Kiliaen van Rensselaer 75 

September II, 1642 
Sir: 

On the 4th of August arrived here the ship d'houtuyn with all 
your honor's people in good health and the goods in good condi- 
tion ; they have for the most part been sent up the river ; the brick 
and coal take up much room. Herewith we sent the letters in re- 
turn which have come from above and from which your honor 
will learn the complete situation of your colony. I trust that hence- 
forth, on account of the arrival of do e . grootstedius,™ there will be 



75 V. R. B. Mss 25. 

78 Grootstcdius = Megapolensis. 



624 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

more regularity both in secular and spiritual matters, things hav- 
ing been in pretty bad shape thus far. 

I have received your honor's favor of the 8th of June, to which 
the following lines serve as reply. The saddle, rapier, boots, 
spurs and baldric have been delivered to me and although I would 
rather these things had not been sent — first, because I am still 
pretty well provided with everything, secondly, because I expect 
to be called home next summer and, thirdly, because it is against 
my oath to accept presents — nevertheless, to show that it is my 
desire to render your honor and your honor's colonists as much 
service as I can and as is consistent with my bounden duty, T. 
have neither been able nor willing to refuse the aforesaid articles 
and have accepted them on behalf of the honorable Company, as 
whose effects they have been entered on the books. I further 
thank your honor heartily and shall always try to repay this debt 
with gratitude. 

Concerning those of your honor's colonists who have let them- 
selves be tied down by marriage, it seems that this can not be pre- 
vented. They must either go to your honor's colony or give com- 
plete satisfaction; I believe also that there are contracts to that 
effect in existence which we shall enforce by law if requested; 
likewise we have always been ready to settle accounts with s: Arcnt 
van Curler, to which I have often urged him, but it seems that the 
good young man is somewhat negligent in the matter, as I believe 
he is also as to your accounts. The fault lies rather with his inex- 
perience than with his carelessness ; I hope that he will henceforth 
through the urging of the minister be more diligent and attend to 
his business in proper manner. I believe the will is very good. 

We have had some conversation whether it would not be best 
and whether it could not conveniently be arranged that no freemen 
be allowed to sail up to your honor's colony. I wish this was 
already forbidden for all the trade carried on by the private in- 
dividuals-is injurious both to your honor and to the Company; 
grain and skins are stolen. It is true that formerly much wine 
was sent to the colony but I do not hear that unusually great 
quantities go there now, for the reason that there is no money 
there and the credit of the farmers is exhausted. They owe a 
great deal here to private individuals for cloth, powder, lead, wine 
and other articles. 

I have long since forbidden uwns' Crol to lend to any of your 
honor's colonists except s r . Curler; I believe that the individual 
farmers have paid their debts mostly in wheat. 



-VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 625 

As to your honor's freight charges and other expenses, I wish 
that I could give you satisfaction. I am charged in an entry with 
the freight and average ; in order not to fall short, I must again 
charge them to those whom the directors indicate, but I trust that 
if your honor's cause is just the same shall be made good in Hol- 
land. 

The crop has been very bad this year ; many farmers in the colony 
will not have more than the grain for their own use and for seed, 
on account of the severe frost last winter and the high water. 
Here around the Manhatcns it is a good rye year and there are 
also plenty of peas ; I estimate that we shall have about 50 lasts 
of rye and 20 lasts of peas in our granary. 

The Maquaas have taken a French church on Lake Champlaia, 
killed one Frenchman and taken prisoner three whom they treat 
very badly. I have ordered Crol to ransom them, in which I hope 
he will succeed. The cruel war which the savages wage against 
one another is the reason that no skins arrive ; I fear that the trade 
will be reduced to nothing. 

Wherewith, after friendly salutations. I commend you to the 
protection of the God of grace, 

Sir, 

Your honor's willing servant 

[signed] IV ill cm kief I 

At Fort Amsterdam the nth of 7emb 1642 

In New Netherland 
[Addressed] 

Sir, 

Mr Kiliaen Van Rensclacrs 

at 

Amsterdam 
[Fndorsed] 

Mr Willcm Kicft Received 
by the ship den houttuijn on the 
9th of January 1643. dated n Sept. 1642. 
16 March 1643, have written briefly and postponed reply ■ 
till the next. 



626 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting free- 
men and private traders from coming with their vessels 
within the limits of the colony 77 

October 10, i6j2 

We, the commissioners and councilors of the colony of Rensse- 
learswyck to all those who shall see these presents or hear them read, 
greeting. As we are noticing every day many abuses, frauds and 
misdemeanors, which originate entirely from the sailing up and 
down of the vessels of the freemen and the private trade which they 
carry on in the colony, whereby not only is the honorable patroon 
wronged in his jurisdiction but also the inhabitants greatly im- 
poverished ; as furthermore, we not only hear rumors but are well 
assured that they supply the Indians with powder, lead and firearms 
and incite the inhabitants of the colony to such trade, which not only 
strengthens tbe savages and imperils our lives but heaps contempt 
and ridicule on tbe good intentions of tbe honorable West India 
Company and practically annuls their ordinance, all of which' arc 
tilings of very serious consequence; therefore, we have ordered and 
decreed, as we hereby do order and decree, that hereafter (without 
prejudice to tbe jurisdiction of the honorable Chartered West India 
Company) no one of tbe freemen and private traders, whatever 
his rank or condition may be or under whatever pretext he shall 
do so, shall undertake to enter the limits of the colony with any 
vessel, on forfeiture of ship and lading and on pain of peremptory 
punishment at tbe discretion of tbe court. And if any one obtains 
license from the honorable officer to come with a vessel for the 
service of the honorable patroon, such skipper on his arrival in tbe 
colony shall not be allowed to unload any goods or to let any one 
come on board before bis vessel has been inspected by the officer 
and be has banded in bis bill of lading. In tbe same way such skip- 
per shall not be allowed to sail and leave tbe colony without similar 
inspection and permission from the officer ; everything subject to 
fine as above. We enjoin and command every one whom it mav 
concern to govern himself accordingly. Tberefore, let every one 
take heed and guard himself against loss. ' Done in council the 
loth of October 1642 in the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



n V.R.B.Mss 36. Also copy in handwriting of Antony dc Iloogcs in V.R.B. 
Mss 18. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 627 

By order of the honorable commissioners and councilors of this 
colony of Rensselaerswyck 

To my knowledge, 

Arendt 1 'an Curler, Secretary 
[Endorsed] Publication concerning vessels. 

Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting in- 
habitants of the colony from trading with the " residents " 
without special consent 7S 

October 18, 1642 

We, the commissioners and councilors of the colony of Renssel- 
aerswyck, let every one know that we have thought fit, ordered and 
decreed, as we hereby think fit, order and decree, for the behoof 
of the residents ami inhabitants of the aforesaid colony, not only 
for good reasons us hereunto moving, but also for the further ex- 
tension, confirmation and execution of our preceding ordinance, 
dated ( >ctober 10, 1642, that none of the inhabitants of the said 
colony, shall presume, under any pretense whatsoever, to buy, sell, 
exchange, barter, or trade anything from, to or with any of the 
foreign residents and private traders, not to take them into their 
houses or lodge them without previous consent, much less to render 
them any assistance, wholly or in part, directly or indirectly, on 
forfeiture (if any one should act contrary hereto) of 200 guilders 
Dutch, and, the second time, of life and property, everything sub- 
ject to immediate execution, without defense or contradiction. 
Wherefore let every one take heed and guard himself against loss. 

Done in council, this 18th of October A Chr' 1644. 79 

By order of the honorable court of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck. 

Underneath was written: 

To my knowledge, 

Arendt Van Curler, Secretary 



TS In V. R. B. Mss 18; in the handwriting of Antony de Hooges. Another copy in 
Ordinances, 1639-58, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

~° The copy of this ordinance in the Rensselaerswyck Mss is dated and endorsed Oct. 
18, 1642, which is correct, as shown by the reference to this ordinance in van Curler's 
letter to the patroon, June 16, 1643, O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:461. 



628 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting export 
of goods without special consent and forbidding people who 
come to live or hunt in the colony from leaving without 
making a contract 80 

We, the commissioners and councilors of the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck to all those who shall see these presents or hear them 
read, greeting. Whereas it is right and just to prevent and cor- 
rect as far as possible all frauds and abuses ; and whereas many 
of these have their origin in the sending of various goods out 
of this colony by the inhabitants or residents, without properly 
entering and indicating them; therefore, we have thought fit, or- 
dered and decreed, as we hereby do think fit, order and decree, 
that no one, whoever or of whatever rank he may be, within the 
jurisdiction of this colony shall be allowed to sail down either in 
his own or in any one else's vessel, not even the Company's, or to 
send away any goods, directly or indirectly, without previous con- 
sent and written permission of the officer of this colony, on forfei- 
ture of such goods as they take with them or send by some one 
else and 50 guilders Dutch in addition. Provided also that no one, 
of whatever rank or condition he may he, who comes to live, re- 
side or to hunt in winter in this colony shall be allowed to sail 
away, even if he requests permission to do so, without previously 
making a contract with the patroon or the person acting in his 
stead, on forfeiture of all such effects as he possesses in this coun- 
try. Therefore, every one is hereby warned not to leave before 
he has made a contract. 

Neither is any one permitted to lend or hire out any vessel ex- 
cept to such people as are under contract with the patroon or his 
representatives, also on forfeiture of 50 guilders as aforesaid. 
Let every one take heed and guard himself against loss. Done in 
council this 164 : 

By order of the court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck 
To my knowledge, as secretary, 

Antonio dc Hooges, Under bookkeeper 



80 In V. R. B. Mss 18; in handwriting of Antony dc Hooges. Another copy in same 
handwriting is V. R. B. Mss 20, which ends as follows: Thus done hy the commis- 
sioners and councilors of Rensselaerswyck. To my knowledge, Antonio de Hooges, 
Under bookkeeper. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 629 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Hendrick Willemsz sl 

January 12, 1643 

Hendrich Willemsen, at Alckmaer 

This 12th of January 1642'- in Amsterdam 
Herewith I send your honor letters from d c Johannes mega- 
polensis, who, God be praised, arrive:! safely and well with all his 
family at the place of his destination, and who kindly sent me the 
enclosed sermon which he preached there on the 17th of August 
last. Please he sure to have the letters delivered at the first op- 
portunity to his honor's father in law and uncle, 81 ' the minister at 
Coedijck, 84 and inform me when you have done so. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis of Coedijck 85 

January 12, 1643 
D e Megapolensis, minister at Cocdijck 

This 1 2th of January i642, S2 in Amsterdam 
Under cover to Hendrick willemsen, tailor at Alckmaer [I send 
you] the letters received by me from your honor's son in law, 80 by 



S1 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.isSb. 

82 Should be 1643. 

83 schoomader en 00m. O'Callaghan (History of New Nctherland, 1:328) states _ on 
the authority of Albany Records, 5:323 and 339, that Johannes Megapolensis, minister 
at Rensselaerswyck, " was the son of the Rev. Joannes Megapolensis, minister of 
Coedyck in Holland, and of Hellegond Jansen. He married his cousin Machteld Wil- 
lemsen, daughter of Willem Steengs, or Heengs." The documents referred to are in 
brief as follows: 

Alckmaer, Aug. 31, 1649. Do. Johannis megapolensis, senior, minister at koedijck, 
gives 500 Carolus guilders to " Hilgont Jans, oldest daughter of Do. Johannis 
Megapolensis, Junior, at present minister of the Gospel of the Christian Reformed 
Church in New Netherland, born of machtelt IVillcms dr., his, the donor's Nichte 
[niece or cousin]." AT. Y. Col. Mss, 3:122; translated in Alb. Rec. 5:323. 

Fort Amsterdam, March 26, 1655. Machtelt Willemsen, daughter of Willem 
Steengen, in the presence of her lawful husband Do. Johannis Megapolensis, 
minister at Amsterdam in New Netherland, executes a power of attorney t.> Jan 
Claesen, draper at cocdijck, to "collect from the worthy Hendrick Willemsen. re- 
siding at suijt scherwoul op langcdijck, and the other coheirs, her portion or share 
of the inheritance descending to her from the estate left by Hillcgont Jans, wife 
of the reverend and very learned Do. Joannis Megapolensis, senior, minister of 
the Gospel of the Christian Reformed Church at Cocdijck." Signed: Machtelt 
Steenie willem [margin of 1 aper torn off], N. V. Col. Mss, 3:129; translated in 
Alb. Rec. 5:339. 
Inasmuch as the term schoonvader in 17th century writing may mean stepfather as 
well as father in law, it is not entirely clear whether Megapolensis, junior, was the 
stepson, or rather the adopted son, of Megapolensis, senior, and married the niece of 
the latter's wife, or whether he was the nephew of Megapolensis, senior, and married 
the daughter of the latter's wife by her first husband, Willem Steengen. The second 
solution seems the more probable. Cf. letter to Megapolensis, senior, July 22, 1643. 

84 Koedijk, a village four miles N. N. E. from Alkmaar, in the province of North 
Holland. 

85 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.is8b. 
88 schoonsoone. 



630 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

which your honor will learn of his happy and speedy arrival and 
reception. It is unnecessary for me to repeat these matters but as 
the diversity of advices gives a great deal of relief and satis Tac- 
tion and their agreement gives further information and gratifica- 
tion, I shall be pleased if, leaving personal matters on one side. 
you will communicate me further information regarding the con- 
dition and appearance of the country and the people and what 
might in any way tend to my advantage or disadvantage as it is 
well to know both the one and the other ; also his satisfaction and ob- 
servation, for although he had been there but six or seven days he 
had already noticed a good deal. As far as I can see from his let- 
ters, he is quite satisfied thus far; he praises the country very 
much and pities the faults and failings of the people very much. 
It is not strange that people become reckless when they do not 
profess their faith, so much the more as every one has thus far 
been without admonition. I hope that the Lord God will bless 
his ministry there in such a way that it may not only bear many fold 
fruit among the Christians but also lead the blind heathen to the 
fold of our Saviour Jesus Christ and by the fulness of His mercy 
include even those who are thus far estranged. / 'ale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Adriaen van der Donck 87 

March 9, 1643 

Adriaen van der donck, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

This 9th of March 1643, in Amsterdam 
88 On the occasion of this extraordinary ship and for fear that 
the one of the Company may be delayed, I can not refrain from 
communicating to you these lines in reply to three [letters] of 
yours, namely those of 7 September 1041, 21 June and [9 August 
1642. Although in the memorandum 89 given to D e Megapolensis 
(being at that time, through haste, prevented from writing to every 
one in particular, [though] I intended to do so) 1 put several 
things for the maintenance of harmony and good order among the 
heads of the colony, for which 1 had occasion on the one hand and 
to which I was urged on the other, and although I intended to wait 



"V.R.B.Mss, Letter Book, 1.1580-1 62b, 171D-172D. 

88 A canceled note in the margin of the Letter Book reads: P. S. In the letter 
to Cornells Melyn, which I gave you, I forgot to ask whether he kepi his promise or 
not. He has . . . (the r^st of the note is illegible). 

89 Printed on p. 609-19. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 63I 

what the effect thereof would be, I can not refrain, since I notice 
your sensitiveness (in that of the 19th of August, confusing the 
matter of Arent 'Z'an Corler with that of maurits Jansen), from re- 
vealing you mine also ; it is not blood only which I have had in 
view, as I value the carrying out of my commission and instruc- 
tions as well as my advantage and profit far above blood, which 
on account of the distant degree [of relationship] is pretty col 1 
and would have to be much nearer to me before I should feel it 
as keenly as your honor pleases to write. From the beginning 
maurits Jansen has done nothing but dispute with me without 
obeying; such conduct I have as yet not noticed in Arent van Cor- 
ler. That he keeps me waiting by [not] sending books and ac- 
counts is for him to explain and the harder to justify if he should 
have exceeded his commission. What pleases me now in you is the 
zeal and diligence which I notice in your honor in expediting 
several matters and especially the matter of 'Piter Cornelisse and 
Cornells teiiuisseu, regarding which, as van Corler advises me in 
a hasty and brief appendix to his last letter, an agreement has been 
reached ; I hope they will not abuse their powers. I have no 
objection to the letting of the contract for the houses except that the 
price runs too far above the specifications and prices here in this 
country, of which I still have some from de J'os. It displeases me 
greatly, however, that without the consent of the commissioners™ 
you hare chosen a place so remote from where I intended and in- 
structed you to settle, also, that complaints have been made to me 
that from the beginning you have acted not as officer but as di- 
rector, respecting which I had more confidence in your honors 
prudence and had expected more from your patience so that instead 
of procuring a premature advancement you would have given me 
time to find out by experience and to have the honor of the advance- 
ment myself, 9i for be assured that not importunity but well doing 
and this not in words but in deeds and in experience will con- 
stitute the supreme law in the matter. I beg your honor, show me 
in what way I could have advanced you more than I have. If, in- 
stead of smoking your own uet' J - you had advised me, article for 
article, what you had done regarding each point of my instructions, 
which is the only means toward your honor's advancement and 
ought to be your sole object, it might have moved me to take fur- 



00 gecommitteerde. 

91 Underlined in Letter Book. 

92 hadt ghij in plaetse van VE eygen nctt te roocken. 



632 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ther notice of your honor's person ; m this serves therefore here to 
recommend such course again most strongly to you and to com- 
mand it in all seriousness. If anything has happened of which I 
do not know, it should appear to me from a resolution, or from 
advices, or from actual results, and none of the three can I find. 
If these matters have been recorded in the minutes and the books 
are slow in coming, as they are, your honor could easily have made 
a brief extract therefrom or at least briefly have written me the 
substance thereof; for the execution of my instructions, I say it 
once more, is the sole object of the promotions I make. 94 The 
memorandum sent by D e Mcgapolensis was for the most part 
drawn up because of your failure in the above, for your honor's 
letters make little mention [of things] touching your honor's com- 
mission and my instructions. On the contrary, I find therein a 
great freedom in charging me without reason with a number of 
things, namely, among others which will follow later, 95 that the 
council had no dignity. Answer: this is not strange for they 
never have had an able leader and I have therefore sent your honor 
to give them proper dignity among the people and whether they 
help you only with words when they are half drunk depends largely 
on your action in making proper protest against those who fail 
to perform their duty and sending me the copy. 

If the intentions of Coder were good but he knew more of 
commerce than of government, all that is needed is to instruct 
him well, which is properly your work, but in the way of com- 
mand rather than of information. 

The subtlety of pietcr Comelissen and the laxity of Cornclis 
teunisscn give you cause to spur on the latter and to match clever- 
ness with cleverness in the case of the former, in which you have 
acquitted yourself well. 

As to the willingness of Brocr Cornclis to give tithes provided 
he be allowed to seed the farm once more after the expiration of 
his term, but the refusal of himself and every one else to recog- 
nize the right of preemption, while these people when their lease 
has expired may express such determination and force me, I do 
not see on what right they base that action nor that your honor 
could not with justice eject them from their farms and in ease 
of opposition make a strong protest against them. I shall never 



08 Underlined in Letter Booh. 
94 Underlined in Letter Book. 

m The clause " among others which will follow later " inserted in Letter Book copy 
by Kiliaen van Rensselaer. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWJER MANUSCRITTS 633 

lack master farmers but rather servants who if things go this way 
can become masters. 

Your two propositions to send a minister and yearly ioo duffels 
have been complied with, but the third, to send yearly f 15,000 
worth of merchandise, I can not understand ; the whole revenue 
of the colony is not worth enough to pay that unless the people 
were to take from me on account only and never pay me ; you will 
therefore explain it somewhat further to me. 

I have never claimed the right of preemption by virtue of 
authority but by virtue of the contract made with Gerrit de reus 
or those offered to them after the expiration of their leases and I 
insist that all the grain and other products must get into tiie hands 
of the patroon or his agents, 90 in order to conduct the sale and 
shipment in an orderly manner. 

That I give cause for a good deal of discontent by words used 
in my letter sen*: by den eyeken boom has no foundation, for, 
aside from the fact that such words are written to my commis- 
sioners who must treat them with discretion and silence, they were 
written in great fairness and justness. How could those who re- 
fuse to pay what they owe me under contract, constrain me to 
grant what I neither owe them nor have promised them, especially 
those who if they know where to get but one penny more for their 
goods pass by my agents and my goods, as they do frequently? 
What I do in these matters is more a question of favor than of 
contract or promise; let them show me any sign of either. And 
that they threaten me with leaving, proceeds from impudence ; let 
them fulfil what they have promised and when they have done 
that, they may request permission to leave ; even if there were some 
25 of those threateners less, things would go all the better, but 
still that does not give them consent from me to leave and they 
would be forced to account if they had means, for who of those 
threateners brought anything with him and who has not had it 
better in the colony than at the place which he left? 

I wish that I knew the names of those impertinent fellows in- 
dividually, I could then regulate this matter better. Therefore, 
in the future, do not advise me of general but of specific matters 
with the names of the persons, their claims and the reasons that 
may be advanced to the contrary. I shall some clay when I have 
sufficient documents call in a higher and stronger hand, who will 



K Comtnittente ; constituents, principals. The term is used here and in other places 
erroneously in the sense of agents. 



634 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

then no doubt make an example of some of them. If they hang 
together, try to separate them, and pick out the bellwethers, count 
them in bianco' 17 and proceed against them according to each one's 
deserts, for it is not my intention to do any one an injustice. That 
the goods are purchased too high and that bad faith is practised 
in the matter of the invoice is calumny on their part and wrongly 
alleged by you; if any one has said such a thing, it is your express 
duty to bring him before the court to make him furnish proof or 
keep quiet ; it can not be done by mere talk. That all purchases 
should be at the same price, that even the times should cause no 
change therein, is unreasonable and impracticable. As far as I am 
concerned, I buy with ready money and I even give 1$ commis- 
sion to buy at first hand and never placed a fixed price on any 
goods ; 98 your honor does very wrong in reporting this matter to 
me without naming the man who says so, what is more, without 
even making complaint thereof against him, for I have no one 
nearer than yourself. Furthermore, I am not bound to do it, 93 
unless it were for ryer Stoffclsscn, the smith, who has contracted 
with me about it and on such basis, but of any such contracts with 
others I know nothing. Such people do nothing but slander their 
voluntary benefactor whereby they will close his hand and then 
feel to what a state they have brought themselves. Whereas I 
have been inclined to have a large number of people in my colony, 
I become disgusted with it, seeing that the greater the amount the 
worse the bargain and the better I regulate everything the more 
every one looks out for himself, from which disorder proceeds. 
If the people make one another believe that the sending of the 
goods and the fixing of the prices at 5#' x above the invoice price is 
stipulated by contract, they are far from right, as must appear 
from the contracts. I have not taken such things upon me ; I have 
indeed followed the custom as to borrowed money but not as to the 
goods, of which I can regulate the profit as I please. 2 Should I 
have to bind, myself also as to the prices where the West India 
Company tries to charge me for freight and duties three times as 
much as I owe them? The rights which the Company promised 
me would first have to be settled with their director or with them- 



117 iclt haer in blancko, 
■'* en hebbe noijt eenich goei gecargeert. 
09 To furnish goods at 50% above tlic purchase price? 
1 Should probably be 50%. 

- sulex hebbe fck noyt tot mijnen laste genomen maer wel een Cosluyme om het 
geleende gelt maer niet 4c goederen il<ii ware mijn vrijewilline benefitie. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 635 

selves before my people, whom I have promised nothing, would 
have a right to open their mouths against me. They argue from 
false maxims and principles ; and in order that you may know of 
everything, you must make copies of everything and act upon 
written documents and not upon oral statements. 

It is surprising that you write me again in a general way in re- 
gard to Piter Cornelissen, that he tries to distort my writings; 
some day take up a special point, introduce it in proper form in the 
council and see whether the conclusion of the entire council or of 
the majority of the votes will be in his favor or put him in the 
wrong, and notify me of the actions of those who behave baclly, 
making public protest against them, for your honor knows what is 
right and what is not right. The reason that your honor can not 
force the removal of brocr Cornells from the council is that they 
might seek to degrade yourself, as it would be exceeding your in- 
structions in case they upheld [him] f J therefore use caution, prefer 
your charges in writing if they sustain [him], let them properly 
debate and conclude and send me the decision with advice as to 
those who judge with partiality; you have done well in so far as 
you have maintained the true sense and meaning of my instruc- 
tions, in which I shall also support your honor to the utmost when 
I know the true state of the case and whereupon every point turns, 
for in dealing with matters at large no solution can be found. 
Therefore, some time, get hold of somebody who proposes such 
wanton impertinence and insults or slanders and proceed against 
him as stated above; you will then learn what I shall do therein if 
the matter duly merits it and is of any consequence and what 
thanks and benefit you will derive therefrom, especially if you 
follow exactly the oath which you have taken and keep yourself 
free from censure, for one who is guilty himself has no right to 
accuse any one else, no right whatever even though it were a con- 
trary or entirely different accusation. 

I have no advice that Curler was to pay Labatie f20 a month, 
nor can I understand why he should do so before his term has ex- 
pired, and thereafter I do not know wdiat the object is. I recog- 
nize no improvements but those which take place with my consent 
and timely knowledge # beforehand. I consent that you establish 
your farm at the south end of the West Island, where brant peelen 

1 That is. they might seek to remove you from office, as you would exceed your 
powers in removing broer Cornells from the council contrary to the decision of the 
court, instead of, in your capacity as prosecuting officer, merely bringing charges 
against him and abiding by the decision of the court. 



6$6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

lives. In that way you will be within easy reach and near the 
church neighborhood. 4 The island contains in all 136 measured 
morgens,. according to the measurement of the surveyor Creiju 
frcdrickscn, and I hope that this winter you will have found better 
accommodations than the preceding. Your principal fault has been 
that you have wanted to prevail over corlcr and that you have 
gone ahead too independently in some matters without recognizing 
his proper rank, consisting not in that he is my cousin but in his 
representative character 5 according to his previous instructions. 
Again, he writes me in a general way that others have to a useless 
degree what their hearts desire and their mouths crave ; if there is 
any superfluity or useless expense, advise me of it, I have no 
knowledge of it. It is your duty to seek my advantage and protect 
me against loss; seek a remedy and if they will not apply it, pro- 
test and advise, even if it be against arent and the whole council, 
but rightfully and without passion and in course of time your 
service will exceed that of all others and give me more chance for 
taking favorable notice of you. You can learn the measure of 
their duty and power from their commission as they can yours ; 
keep them to their duty and perform yours, but each in his own 
sphere, you as prosecutor and they as arbiters or judges. If they 
arbitrate or decide unjustly, send me the documents. What dis- 
pleases mc most in you and what is quite the contrary of what I 
had expected of you is that you bring forward a great many\ 
charges and do not show me a single legal procedure against any 
of them, for legal practice docs not consist of discourses or words 
but of formal and judicial actions and procedures. 6 

If there is any one who injures or wrongs my person or goods, 
investigate who the man is, make him own up, force him to show- 
proof and convict him according to law. If you lack documents, 
write me and I will send them. For I know myself innocent in 
everything and all things and seek to wrong no one, so that you 
may without hesitation defend my rights. Those formal excuses 
not to challenge any one's knowledge or to hurt any one in his 
station are unnecessary if your actions proceed from an honest 
heart, influenced not by ambition but by a desire to remedy, for 
the saying Rectafaciendo iieniiueiu Timeas* ought to be the motto 
constantly before all officers. You have clearly pointed out [the 



4 den kcrche buijrtc. 

■'' / geene liij represent eerde; literally, what he represented, referring to the office of 
director which had not yet been filled. Cf. p, 643. 
Underlined in Letter Booh: 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 637 

mistake], which I am also anxious to remedy and which I have 
felt in the losses suffered by me though I have received no books 
or accounts covering the subject, namely, of using so many perish- 
able boards which will cost nearly as much as hard and permanent 
bricks; consequently, that I have urgent need of a good brick- 
maker. If I hear of any one from your honor's parents I shall 
devise such means in the matter that it will not be without profit 
to you but to accept everything indefinitely as to number, quality 
and prices as the Company does, does not seem advisable to me; 
I can not follow in their footsteps. I have tried for a long time 
to get one and if I succeed, I shall take care of your profit in the 
matter also; and while I am on this subject, now that Pietcr 
Cornelissen has accepted my conditions, his subtlety should be 
carefully watched that he does not cheat me or burden me by 
furnishing a superfluous number of boards. I ought to get along 
yearly with my portion without buying from him. Advise hereof 
also others to whom the care of this matter is committed, not for 
the sake of the honor of each one's respective charge, but for my 
best interest. If you can suggest any improvements to my ad- 
vantage in what others do, propose it to them; if they follow you, 
you may expect thanks from me; if not, serve notice where it 
belongs, and if they do not follow your advice then, you put me 
under obligations to promote you and you also condemn their in- 
capacity. Your instructions give you pozver, not to compel obedi- 
ence but only to make representations in my interest and the zvords 
in your oath, to seek in everything my advantage and to protect me 
from loss, 7 give you the power and make it your duty ; but the en- 
forcement of your proposals is not entrusted to your honor. Your 
power consists in making representations and in case of refusal in 
protesting; if you had been satisfied with this from the beginning, 
you would have put me under greater obligations, convinced them 
[of their incapacity?] in case of refusal and shown yourself 
capable of executing what others refuse; I am not without sus- 
picion that you have indulged ambition too much, from which 
much harm has come to your and my damage : he who goes slowly 
gets farther than he who runs fast. 

As to a charcoal burner, I know not where I could get one nor 
can I understand how a single smith could use so much coal as a 
charcoal burner would make in a year. Confer with Reyer, the 

7 Underlined in Letter Book. 



638 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

smith, without revealing- your plan to him, as to whether he could 
get along with such coal and about the quantity and the price for 
which he would agree to take it. I shall inquire then more closely 
in regard to this matter of the coal carriers here and it being ad- 
vantageous shall have your profit in view. Your advice as to the 
brewing of beer came too late, as Evert pels had contracted with 
me. As to the sawmill and the grist-mill, as they must be managed 
these four years by me or by my order, pieter Comelissen having 
had the management for the first four years, it ought to be 
arranged in this way, in order to have no dispute about the price of 
the boards, that I shall furnish him in my time as many boards as 
he furnished me in his time, which he may sell to best advantage or 
deliver to me if I need them at the price fixed in the new contract 
concerning the two mills; and as to the cutting of the wood, the 
hauling to the mill and the sawing of the boards, the price of each 
must be fixed separately, either by bids [giving the work to the 
one] who will take it at the lowest price, or by yearly wages, 
according as is most profitable to me. About the grinding of grain 
an ordinance must be passed, with a fine for the miller if he does 
not comply with the ordinance. A price must be set for the grind- 
ing and the same be divided into three parts, a third for the 
patroon, a third for the mill and a third for the miller, but if the 
miller should not be able to get along with the third in credit, 8 
a certain measure of meal or grain of each mudde might be 
granted him, and in order that the mill might pay better, it would 
be well not to allow any unground grain to be carried out of the 
colony, which ought to be duly seen to. Of these two things, 
namely the saw and grist-mill, I give yon during the aforesaid 
years the entire disposal, because yon proposed it to me first; how- 
ever, yon must do nothing without the knowledge of the council, 
the final decision, such as yon will care to be responsible for to me 
or to my commissioners,'* resting with yon. And herein I shall test 
your power of management, namely, by seeing how far this proves 
profitable to me, and in order that yon may act with the more 
energy, J (/rant von the following emoluments: first in the (/rind- 
ing of grain, half of the above mentioned patroon's third part; 
and just as in the case of the grain, so of the tenth of the boards 
that J am to receive, I grant yon half, thai is every twentieth board, 

b»« gelts weerde; literally, in money value, meaning probably in goods to the amount 
oi one third of the charge f<>i grinding. 
" gcCommittccrdc. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 639 

provided that due account is rendered of the other half of the 
boards as well as of the above mentioned charges for grinding by 
wind or water. 10 Herein is not included the sawmill of Pieter 
Cornelissen, about which I have made other arrangements; if you 
acquit yourself well in this matter I shall be mindful of further 
benefits for yourself. The administration, of which you write that 
I have divided it into seven parts, has reference only to judicial 
and criminal matters between individuals, since matters relating to 
my prerogative belong properly to such persons as are especially 
charged with any matter and in general to the management of the 
commissioners of the patroon to the exclusion of the four 
councilors who are not commissioners, 11 and by virtue of your 
honor's special instructions, as also by virtue of the clause con- 
tained in your oath, in everything to protect me from loss and to 
seek my advantage, you have general power .of proposition if the 
same matters have not already been proposed by the commissioners, 
by the council or by private individuals. You have the care but 
also the fees of one thing and another for your office extends to 
and includes, so long as nothing special is done in the matter, the 
powers of a fiscal or prosecutor as to all matters that injure the 
patroon, whether in his person, in his rights or in his profit and 
gain. Pieter Come has no more power in the matter than my 
documents give him, the interpretation of which does not belong 
to him but to me ; for the rest mention no more what people have 
to say, for it is childish to pester me therewith ; things are put in 
writing to kill all assertion and contradiction, therefore, let him 
who has anything to say prove it by contracts or [some document 
under] my hand, the rest is but cackle and useless talk. If all 
words and discourses were contracts, and that even on the report 
of one side [only], work would never be done. As to my com- 
plaint that the people there work so little, would it be right if I 
were content with that and if I let them off when they do but half 
the work? Each servant must satisfy his master who commands 
him, the work being left not to the discretion of the servant but to 
the discretion of the master whom he must satisfy and obey, and 
those who would like to do hut half the work, should also re- 

"• Underlined in Letter Book. 

"de regeeringe dat ghij schrifft da, jck in T verdeelt hebbe verstaei hem met verder 
ah in judicieele 'en crimineele saecken, vallende tusschen parttje en partyen, alsoo mtjn 
particulieren saecken eygentlyck gehooren tot soodanige persoonen, die Speciael gelast 
sijn tot eenige dxngen mac- generalyck ter din-die vande geCommttteerde vanden patroon 
geexcludeerl van -i raeden die geene geCommitteerde en njn. 



64O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ceive but half the pay and also eat but half as much; if one should 
compare the work of the farmers in the Veluwe 12 with the work 
there, I take it that [he would find that] most of the cacklers do 
but half as much work. That all grave complaints of great im- 
portance must be made after communicating and advising with the 
commissioners is not with a view to curtailing the power of the 
officer but in order to prepare the work better. Coming now to 
the administration of the law, if the commissioners have refused 
to entertain any of your complaints, protest against it and send the 
complaints to me, for the rest it is but Lucifer's strife. It is an 
outrageous thing that the farmers in order to defraud and cheat 
their lord themselves, refuse to take the oath for their servants, 
alleging the knavery of their servants as the objection to their 
oath, when as a matter of fact their only purpose is to keep open 
the opportunity for their own deceit under cover of the knavery 
of the servants whom they do not wish nor dare to punish as they 
are guilty themselves, perhaps of more than they charge their ser- 
vants with. It would be outrageous if the master had to take an 
absolute oath for his servant; such is not the intention of the 
patroon, the oath requested being absolute, it is true, as far as they 
themselves are concerned, but with regard to their servants and 
family reaching no farther than it is possible for them to go nor 
beyond what comes to their knowledge, for otherwise [it is un- 
lawful and] under cover of their servants they themselves commit 
the greatest fraud. I request therefore that they shall take such 
oath ; by refusing, they will make me suspicious of fraud and be 
guilty of pure rashness and disobedience. And if you have no 
basis or argument by which to defend this oath from a legal point 
of view, I will send you sufficient opinions of jurists, and when you 
have sufficient arguments, convince them and make protest against 
the unwilling. To find a man who should have absolute power to 
direct has never been and will never be my intention and 
[although] there are some countries where the sovereigns them- 
selves have such power, in all well regulated governments dis- 
tinction is made, some persons having charge of justice, others of 
government, others of military matters and others of commerce ; 
tbat too is my intention exactly. Justice, consisting of well define 1 
fights, I have assigned to the three commissioners and the four 
councilors of whom the officer occupies the first place in making 
complaints and propositions, as said several times. Government, 



12 Northwestern part of the province of Gelderland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 64I 

having its origin in the paternal powers of parents over their 
children, I have assigned to the three commissioners of the patroon 
to the exclusion of the four other councilors, who have nothing to 
say about it, unless the first, having difficulty in solving some im- 
portant matter, wish to call the four to their aid; of these three 
Arent van Corler occupies the first place ; their duties concern the 
rights of the patroon, his special profits and the affairs of the 
country [colony] in general, as for example, to turn from a less 
important to a more important instance, the States of Holland 
have business distinct from the courts of justice, so that the busi- 
ness of the three commissioners is quite different from that of the 
seven, among whom are included the four councilors as explained 
above. The military, as long as it is unnecessary (or if unduly 
strong, when you can not do without it), I consider as having no 
foundation i n the law of God, and only the greatest need must 
call for it. Commerce I have committed to those to whom I send 
my goods. From none of these is the officer excluded but, as said 
repeatedly, his duty to protect me from loss and to seek my ad- 
vantage gives him the power to make representations and com- 
plaints, nothing that affects my rights and profits excepted. The 
minutes which you mention would afford me great relief; if 
sending does not rest absolutely with you, I recommend you to 
take pains to procure them. Copies of matters which concern you 
can not be refused you, at least you could have given me some 
idea as to the substance. By commission you surely have the 
right to exercise the powers of chief officer 13 if necessity demands 
it; and if not required you have no business to do so, unless it be 
again Lucifer's strife. You ought to know better than to think 
that I would write such things to P tcr Cornelissc; if necessity 
requires to constrain him, he may see what exception he can find, 
he will then find the authority over him absolute enough. I am 
trying to get a man for your assistance ; no one who has any 
ability will accept the terms, so that one can induce none but rough 
fellows 14 thereto. One has been recommended to me and has also 
called on me, but I am very much in doubt and fear that he will 
cause more disorder than order, being a rough and strong fellow 
who would be quite serviceable to you if he were disciplined a little 
better. If I should accept him and he disobey you or rebel against 
you, or give offense by drunkenness or other scandalous living you 



13 hoofd-ofUcicr; see p. 283. 
** ruyge gasten. 

41 



(>4 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

may send him back at once as he must stand under your absolute 
control. I am almost thinking- of asking some of the negroes 
(with consent of the honorable Director kieft) or even to employ 
for your assistance some Indian of good courage and obedience 
who could then also be of service to you in other things. The 
management must be in your hands and these people must be used 
almost as brute forces against malevolents. One should be 
enough, for justice must be executed not by force but by intelli- 
gence. I also want you to consider whether or not some one in 
the colony, who has become so deeply indebted to me that there 
is no appearance of his ever being able to pay me, could be per- 
suaded or commanded to take that office. It is not proper for you 
and you far exceed your bounden duty in criticising my adminis- 
tration and this once more on slanderous statements that I am 
sending informers into the country and that I place a confidence 
in them that is both blind and deaf. 15 Surely, you do not increase 
thereby the faith I have in you, but diminish it; no one has a 
right to complain before he suffers. I shall account for my actions 
to those to whom such account is due and be you careful to do as 
much for me as I do for you. If it were true that I am not 
watching the least of my officers and agents 10 as much as I do the 
highest, I should not be worthy of the name of lord or patroon of 
my colony; a prudent and vigilant captain divides his officers over 
several guardposts, but none of them all would dare to censure 
him that in addition he has some one make the rounds ; how much 
less proper is it for you to reproach me with what you have neither 
been informed of nor felt? Do you not think that the looking 
after my people at such a distant place involves a great deal more 
care and danger for me than if I were near at hand? Should yon 
not rather give proof and taste of your good service and thereby 
confirm the faith I have in you, instead of reproaching, hindering, 
worrying and accusing me at an untimely moment and of pre- 
senting to me your supposed unhappiness? Do you want me to 
trust you whether you do good or wrong, or do you imagine that 
you can do no wrong? For if you can, it is my business to look 
out for it and you must not prescribe the manner in which I shall 
do it. When harm is done to you through my action, only then 
is it time to speak; you know no doubt the saying that excuses 

15 Underlined in Letter Book. 

16 Comiiiillrntrn. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 643 

lead to accusation 17 and that no one ought to accuse or to excuse 
himself before it is time, also that no one ought to praise or blame 
himself but that the works must crown the master; this is enough 
about this matter; do well, fear no one. 

The greatest and most important reason for help I consider the 
necessity of keeping the traders from outside out of the colony and 
of preventing communication with them except in the manner set 
forth in the sixth article of your instructions, for many private 
individuals are already going thither from here mainly for that 
purpose; therefore, because you lay so much stress on the objection 
of the farmers to take the oath for their servants, I beg of you to 
consider with sober judgment whether this is not calculated to raise 
more suspicion of wrong than I could give you by sending thither 
some informers; to be frank, 1 *' the object of all New Netherland 
traders is, indirectly, to destroy the privilege of the fur trade which 
belongs to me and which costs me dear enough and to use my agents 
whom I must support as cat's-paws to rake the chestnuts out of 
the fire. Therefore the only way by which you can seek my ad- 
vantage and yours is by discovering the pretexts which are used in 
the name of the West India Company and by preventing the frauds 
with my inhabitants, masters or servants, whomever it may be, and 
it is for that reason that I have taken it so ill that (prejudicial to 
this object) you had planned your farm so far away, at the extreme 
end, 19 therefore, sometime in the future let me know what progress 
you have made herein ; and as to Corler, whom your honor wants 
to convince me that I have appointed as director, that is not true, 
for to represent somebody in case of need is quite different from 
being at all times the man himself. What I have done, I have done 
to forestall all ambition and to preserve my own right of disposal, 
for I have written several times that I keep the directorship open; 
nor shall 1 lightly dispose of it either, unless \ he better informed 
and have other proof, and if, in opposition to you, pieter Corn e has 
in this sense understood the chief officership his contention is closer 
to your instructions than your opinion, for according to your opinion, 
I should have no right to appoint another director over the colony, 
or take another chief officer, except after discharging Corler in the 
one [capacity] and you in the other. I have conferred this repre- 
sentative character on you both in case of need, in order that no 



17 excusatie accusatic preparecrcn; ci. the French proverb: Qui s'excuse, "anus,. 

18 om malcanderen geen wasse neuse aen to sett en; literally not to put wax noses 
on each other, i. e. not to deceive each other. 

13 Underlined in Letter Book. 



644 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

one could in any way plead exception, but I have not absolutely 
committed myself as to [the appointments] ; also, as I have said, 
to represent some one is not to be the man himself. I do not know 
why on the one side you lay before me the dispute of P r Cornelissen 
and 011 the other settle that of Coder; you would have done well 
to take the matter as it is, at all events, [in mentioning it] to me 
who know better. / say frankly, if your desire inclines to high 
office, your efforts will be directed more tozvard your own advance- 
ment than tozvard my advantage. However, I trust that you will 
observe your oath, my instructions and advices; but time will show. 
They are nothing but spiteful words zvhich you use about hating 
and liking; you should first have proof thereof. If you have im- 
agined that you can extort the directorship from me, you will be 
much deceived, for that is not the zvay to get it. Do you think also 
that you had reason to break off your last letter so abruptly because 
you received no letter from me; furthermore, to shozv me my duty 
to write in good time? If you had written in good time on the 16th 
of June 164.2, and not put it off till the 21st, I should not have had 
to content myself zvith a few lines, for a whole year; as time slipped 
azvay from me on Pinkster day, when the wind began to blozv and 
the same day D e Megopolensis was urged 20 to sail for the Texel, 
you have been without letter also. Was the memorandum sent by 
D e Megapolensis not addressed to your honor also, in which in ad- 
dition to your instructions and commission you should find sufficient 
material and topics that reports thereon ought to fill many pages 
and give you plenty of work of which I ought to hear the effect? 
If you act contrary to me, I can not help it ; I mean it well with 
you, but you will have to adjust yourself to me, and not I to you, 
though I am glad to hear of objections, if they are made with 
reason, without passion, without ambition, and without selfishness. 
Your honor's goods sent by your father I have forwarded and sent 
over as my own ; I hope that later they reached you safely. Here- 
with goes another from your father which I received today, being 
the 13th of March. If my letter is somewhat prolix and badly 
arranged, it is because I have for four days been many times inter- 
rupted and have not been able to make good connections between 
the parts. Vale. 



20 Underlined in Letter Book. 



VAN RENSSELAER I30WIER MANUSCRIPTS 645 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis'- 1 
March is, 164s 

Johannes megapolensis, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

13 March 1643, in Amsterdam 
Pastor of Jesus Christ in my colony. Passing by your reverence's 
letter dated 14 June 1642 from the Texel, pausing at that of the 
8th of August following from Fort Amsterdam at the manhatans 
and sitting clown to that of the 19th of August from the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, I shall take advantage of this extraordinary op- 
portunity 22 and reply to one and all. On the 16th of July, two 
days after your reverence sailed, I had the fiooo insured; I paid 
the premium of f5o and have the policy in my possession. I 
received the list of the people that went over ; the drunken fellow 
who fell in the mud will no doubt have dried on the way and he 
had a profitable fall if together with the dirt and mud he rid him- 
self of the evil of drunkenness. 

We did not fail to join our daily prayers with yours, nor do we 
fail to continue therein, hoping that as the Lord our God has been 
your leader and given you a happy and speedy voyage, he will 
also bless the purpose which I thereby have in mind, extending 
His blessing over yourself, your wife and family, especially to make 
your reverence a blessed instrument in His service to establish there 
a church and community both among the Christians and the blind 
heathen ; for the Christians, that they may see the day of their 
holy baptism and confession and practise righteousness more and 
more ; for the heathen who live among and about us, that their 
stony hearts may be softene 1, their blind eyes opened and their 
deaf ears unstopped by the power of the Holy Ghost, in order that 
they may see and understand the wonders of His law, recognize 
their sins and His grace and that they may be brought to the fold 
of Jesus Christ and go among other heathen bringing forth righteous 
fruits of confession and gratitude. Amen. 

I have been exceedingly glad about your speedy and happy voyage, 
the journal of which T communicated to several brethren of the 
consistory, particularly to Laurcntitts 23 and IVittevrongelius 24 who 

- x V. R.B. Mss, Letter Book, f. 172b. 

22 decsc cxtraordinarie occasie ; referring to the ship den smarten raeven sent out by 
private persons. See p. 656, 663. 

2 * Jacobus Laurentius, born about 15S5, died in 1644. 
24 Petrus Wittewrongel, born about 1609, died in 1662. 



646 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

send your reverence hearty greetings, the latter especially renewing 
them again the day lie fore yesterday. I noticed what your reverence 
did at the manhatans and your diligence in reaching the place of 
your destination, also your opinion as to the excellence of the 
country and the faults of the inhabitants who are to be pitied and 
made better. The Lord our God will not fail to bless the good 
example, good manners, work in season and out of season, diligent 
prayers and continuous patience. If it does not show much in the 
beginning, the Lord will crown the end ; His word will not be spoken 
in vain or return unto Him void. 

The affidavit concerning your reverence's service on board is in 
my possession but your best chances of success do not lie in work- 
ing through me, as your reverence knows from experience while 
here ; if any one of your family comes here, I shall try to instruct 
him and consider with him how we can best set about it. I fear 
that it will turn out like the case of the farmer's discretion about 
which you told us here. I should be especially pleased to hear that 
your reverence had found freedom and comfort in a suitable house 
according to the situation of the country. It is a pity that the 
carpenter from Leyden'-' 5 behaved so badly, having left his wife and 
shamefully deceived me by saying that he was a widower. The 
poor woman whom he left here in great poverty with two small 
children complains to me daily. Would that God might touch his 
heart, so that he would change his conduct, leave off drinking and 
work diligently; he could then prosper so much that he could have 
his wife and children come over or at least send them some of his 
savings. If admonition does not help, communicate the matter to 
the officer and council, urging them to show him that he is in a place 
where godless people can be punished by such means as seem most 
suitable to them, for there is no lack of such means if they are 
willing and united. If he is an example of vice, a man who leaves 
his wife and children, lives a godless, reckless, drunken and lazy 
life, let him be punished as an example; but if your reverence can 
gain anything by words and admonition, such punishment is unnec- 
ary. I am advised by others also about the expensive house of 
Arent -ran Curler; tell him in my name that I know it and that he 
must remedy it. lie must not keep the pace of Director kieft, 
which I can not follow. Represent to him that as he has my favor 



bably Ian Teunisz van Leyden, who sailed by den Coninck David. Cf. state- 
ment about Jan Cornelissen in van Curler's letter to the patroon, June 16, 1643, 
O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:458. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 647 

he ought to retain it; that he need not spare the people at my 
expense and that he must not wait long before sending over my 
books and accounts. He puts a heavy load and responsibility upon 
himself these many years, during which I have not seen what profit 
has been made on my goods and how they have been distributed 
and managed, and makes me fear exceedingly that he may have 
done many things contrary to my advantage and will, whereas if 
I had had the books and accounts, I might have made other arrange- 
ments in time which might now come too late. Exhort the officer 
also in my name to be humble, for he shows many signs of ambition. 
Do not hesitate in private conversation to tell him of his faults and 
others of theirs ; you will thereby keep your conscience clear, render 
an agreeable service to God and duly perform your duty, and I 
trust that your reverence shall manage things so prudently that 
their resoective offices shall not lose in dignity. I am pleased to 
hear that Director kicft received my present gratefully, which he 
also gave me to understand in his letter. What your reverence 
heard further about him must be accepted with caution ; on the one 
hand your reverence may have been misinformed ; on the other 
there is a great deal of jealousy encouraged by his principals beyond 
what might otherwise be expected from common characters, 26 so 
that the experience will no doubt have made you wiser. Confer 
some time with Antonie dc hoogc, who spent winter before last at 
the Manhatans, and extract the quintessence of his discourse. I 
imagine that the substance will not be favorable to the colony and 
that under a polite pretext it will serve to prepare for unfavorable 
judgment; for instance I take it that brocr Cornells is the best man 
in his judgment, while in my opinion he is the worst one I have. 
That you do not find the people in the colony what we should both 
like them to be is apparently and without doubt due to the luxurious- 
ness of the country, 27 the small number of people (for people 
usually fear more the opinions of others than the penetrating eye of 
the Lord), lack of a good pastor, the natural tendency towards evil 
and the fact that the best people seldom go so far across the sea. 
All this will give you cause for sorrow and diligence, patience and 
attention, in order with the Lord's blessing to make other people 
out of them. They will try in every way whether they can make 
you connive with them; they will, each with respect to his own 
affairs, know how to bring a great many charges against me ; they 



™meer door sync principale Jacrtoc gcanimcert, ah andcrssins gemene nature wcl 
cygc n is. 

21 dcliccntie rant hint. 



648 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

will bring up wrong principles and make every effort to benefit 
themselves and to cheat me. Their willing offer of the tithes the 
very first day is not for my benefit but for yours in order to gain 
your favor ; I have now tried it for many years but have discovered 
few people that have any conscience, though there are still some 
who I think are conscientious and if my opinion agreed with yours 
it would be a great touchstone of truth. I do not care for words, 
the deed must follow; those who do the finest talking before our 
faces are the very ones who stir up others behind our backs, so 
that I pray the Lord to grant you the spirit of wisdom and of 
prudence and discernment. As for myself I desire what is fair 
and just and what they have promised me by contracts and by word 
of mouth. With the papists they want to appeal to tradition and 
oral promises, which is all useless, for just because words are for- 
gotten or can be twisted written instruments are made. As to the 
written instruments, they want to accept what serves their purpose 
and pass by the rest ; they want to interpret them to their own 
advantage and to the disadvantage of the person to whom the 
interpretation belongs. I shall close this matter knowing that you 
have already had experience thereof. I am glad to hear that you 
secured hicas Smith from d e bogardus; let me know whether it was 
worth while and what testimony is given of him by dominc bogardus. 
While referring to the manhatans, as to the statements of kicft, let 
me know sometime what Corlcr has. done to the people who married 
there about collecting the money advanced by me and the amount 
of their board and about their stipulated service. I can not readily 
believe that most the inhabitants of the colony are poor ; their 
drunkenness and laziness prepares the way thereto, but I take it 
that as a rule they are better off than those at the manhatans. But 
if it were true, Corlcr should be advised thereof so as not to give 
them too much on credit. The quantity of wine which kicft has 
sent up the river has helped a good deal to bring this condition 
about. It is very necessary for you to urge that an ordinance be 
issued against excessive importation of wine and liquor into the 
colony, which cause the people not only, contrary to God's law, to 
burden their consciences, to render their persons unfit for work, 
to waste their time and to squander their money, but also and finally 
to resort to evil practices in order to pay for them and ultimately 
to become too poor to reimburse the patroon for what they owe 
him and what he has lent and debited to them in the way of board 
and clothing, so that they are forced to produce strange exceptions 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 649 

and arguments for, according to the saying, an empty purse makes 
a desperate mind. 28 And as to vanderdonck, I am surprised; if 
what you write me that you heard kieft say were true and not said 
in passion, he would not be worthy to live and would be unfit for 
his office. I guess that this must come from broer Cornells; your 
reverence has a divine right and it is my bounden duty to God to 
investigate the truth of this statement. He complains that I send 
informers into the country but I make a pretty sharp reply to that. 
I send my letter to him open and enclosed in yours ; you can say to 
him that I do this on purpose and that I have understood things 
to be as you write, without mentioning any one's name, and that in 
case it should be true I have given you orders not to hand him my 
letter and not to communicate the contents till further orders ; this 
will cause him to justify himself or, in case he admits that any of 
these charges are true, to humble himself and reform, in which 
case you will be able to make a deep impression on his conscience. 
If he reforms and a beginning is thus made with the superior 
officers who hold commission from me, the others will begin to 
reflect. Carefully examine my letter to him and read it before you 
hand it to him and if you find the matter suitable you will greatly 
oblige him and he will greatly respect and uphold you 29 ; and if 
it will do at all, or if he is innocent or promises to reform, hand 
him the letter, but at all events give him the letter from his father ; 
if you do your full duty according to the word of God, whereto 
I shall add my authority, I have no doubt that by the Lord's bless- 
ing we shall make other people out of them even if I should have 
to discharge all those who lead a godless and reckless life and put 
others in their stead whenever the conduct is unmistakable, which 
if it is true that vanderdonck boasts of it, is clearly so in his case. 
(Here I must make a digression.) Having just come from the house 
of d c Sommerius, whose eldest son has just died and is not yet 
buried and whose son in law is to be installed tomorrow as minister 
at Schagc, he charged me though with a sorrowful heart to greet 
you most heartily from him. To return to the manhatans, as to the 
charge that Corler and de Hooges have taken to drinking, it ought 
to be carefully investigated whether they have become, one more 
and the other less, completely addicted thereto or whether they drink 
occasionally. 

28 maeckt een beroijde burse oock beroijJc sinnen. 

S9 ea Tint ghij de saecke Conpatibel, gij suit hem grootelyckx verobligeeren, eft u opt 
hooghste te respecteere, eii mainteneeren. 



65O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Tell Arent -van Corler especially to show you in what shape his 
accounts and books are and whether they are in proper order to 
be sent to me, for if he delays doing this 1 shall make an entirely 
different arrangement, ami tell him that I will not, will not, will 
not, be put off any longer; [ask him] if he is not ashamed not to 
have sent me any reports or accounts in all these years of the many 
thousands of guilders worth of merchandise which 1 have placed 
in his hands; all his good deeds can not balance the anxiety and 
•delay which he has caused me. He ought to have done that every 
year and I shall not send another penny's worth of goods until I 
receive accounts and goods in return, even if the whole colony were 
to rise against him, so serious do I consider this matter. As 
Director kieft told you that the farmers sell their wheat secretly 
at {2 a schepel and cheat me, and as kieft also writes to me about 
it, I urgently request that his honor's men and mine may jointly 
devise means whereby all vessels which sail up and down the river 
may be inspected, both by his and my agents. 30 The Company is 
cheated out of its dues as much as I am cheated out of my profits 
and by helping each other care could be taken that no vessel, with- 
out proper pass from the dire:tor at the manhatans, could sail up 
the river without being confiscated, said vessel upon arriving in the 
colony being obliged to exhibit its pass and to allow its lading to 
be inspected by my agents as well as those of the Company at Fort 
Orange. Coming from above each vessel must also have a pass 
from the Company as well as from me or, with the exception of 
my own goods, be confiscated by the director upon its arrival at the 
manhatans or wherever it is discovered on the way. Let the di- 
rector give orders to that effect to his fiscal and 1 to my officer, 
and also give orders to his soldiers in regard to the exemption, and 
not so much fraud will be practised. Communicate this also to 
Corler and vanderdonck, if they are not impeached, for much de- 
pends on this. 1 see also that Arent meanwhile supplies Director 
kieft without receiving payment, yes, even without advising me 
what he has supplied him with. I also hear that he has contributed 
some muddes of wheat toward the erection of the church at the 
manhatans. What orders has he to give away my goods in this 
fashion? I could use them very well for the erection of my own 
church. I hope that it is not true. These young people, like Arent 
and vanderdonck, do not think at all of my interests, each one 
thinks oi his own advancement, especially vanderdonck. You must 

80 geCommittccrdc ; here probably intended for commiscn. 



VAN RENSSELAER B0WIER MANUSCRIPTS 65T 

hold the helm of the vessel till it has started on a good course. 
For all that I have furnished the Company for 12 years I have 
not received a penny aside from the supplies for my people. In 
the year 1640 I adjusted my accounts with them and agreed that 
thereafter all business should be finally "settled in that country, 
according to the enclosed authentic copy which I send your rever- 
ence. What has Arcut done thereupon but just as much adjusted 
his accounts with the director as he sent accounts to me. :;1 He sent 
supplies down from above without receiving goods in return, and 
kieft, who is probably too clever for him, calls his attention to 
accounts which are unfounded, as the Company asks three times 
more for freights and duties than I owe them according to my 
Freedoms. I have complained to kieft; he says that he must fol- 
low the orders of his masters. That is all right as far as his 
orders are concerned, but according to my Freedoms, given me by 
the Company itself and approved by the States General, of which 
vanderdonck has an authentic copy, kieft is directed to maintain 
these Freedoms for me. Now if he prefers to follow the orders 
from his masters to following those of the States General, let us 
settle that question here in this country. I will not pay them there 
what ought to be settled here and have decided that 1 do not want 
to have any merchantable grain and other goods furnished there 
to Director kieft in payment of disputed freight charges, duties, 
etc. But leaving aside the question of freight charges and duties, 
according to instructions of the Company he must promptly pay 
me in money, in merchandise or in furs for what I furnish him. 
I must also pay him in grain or other goods for what I receive from 
him and in this way we shall settle accounts. It is intolerable that 
Coder should furnish anything to kieft without receiving prompt 
payment for it there and it is also against the order of the Com- 
pany to keep open accounts. If kieft wants to deduct from my 
grain such freight charges as I owe, 1 am satisfied; if not, let him 
advise his masters that they must make me pay here. 1 have enough 
evidence for my defense but do not want any grain to be furnished 
except upon receiving other goods in return in that country. This 
point is of the utmost concern to me. I hope that Mr kieft will be 
notified of this decision of mine and that I shall not have to run 
after the Company so many years more for payment for my mer- 
chantable grain. Please tell a rent that I do not want to have the 



81 wat heeft arcut daerop gedaen even sooveel als den dierecteur gelequideert ats myn 
rekeii gesonden. 



652 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

latest consignments, sent by Hooges and your reverence, sold or 
given out except for furs, but as to supplies of stockings and shoes, 
linen and wool, he may sell or give these to the people to whom 
I owe anything or who pay for the same with furs, grain or tobacco, 
for all this giving out on credit does not suit me. I expected a great 
many skins in return for the preceding consignments, as abraJiani 
staes and Maurits Jansen told me that a great many skins were 
then due to Arent and that he had also a great deal of seawan, to 
which must be added those that were not sent. I still have 1400 
skins insured, of which the insurance was paid long ago. Let him 
send these first as soon as there is a ship and advise me as to the 
quantity which I can expect that I may govern myself accordingly 
with the insurance. I had 2000 skins insured for the year 1643, 
but as hooges remained at the Manhatans during the winter, I have 
returned and canceled [the insurance of] the said 2000 skins, so 
that at present there are only 1400 skins insured as aforesaid. Skins 
ought always to lie ready at the manhatans, so as to be sent 
whenever a ship sails. Hereafter many small vessels will come over 
and it ought to be seen to that he send some in each. As to the 
debts which Coder is said to have contracted at the manhatans and 
which he neglected to pay, this is a matter of evil consequence. 
Please find out from him how this is. Coming now to your rev- 
erence's experiences in the colony, I would go into this a little 
more fully, but as I have this day, the 16th of March, been told 
that the ship will sail from here tomorrow morning early, I shall 
contrary to my intention be obliged to break off, the preceding 
matter having taken too much of my time. I received the list 
of the commutation of the tithes by the farmers. The tobacco 
planters and others must do the same and in the future this must 
be looked after a little more closely, as otherwise things go irregu- 
larly. The collecting [of the tithes] of the grain must be care- 
fully managed and I urge your reverence to see to it that the 
proceeds may be used in the most profitable way, without mixing 
them up with other accounts. I was pleased to hear that you 
delivered your first sermon on the 17th of August last in the store- 
house 32 in the presence of about 100 persons. The Lord grant 
that their hearts be touched and their number increased. I am 
also glad to hear your opinion about the country and colony, that 
every year great profits may be expected therefrom if things go 
as they ought, and shall expect with much pleasure your advice and 

82 packhuijs. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 653 

counsel as to the manner in which I may reach that point. I shall 
not fail to contribute thereto as much as is in my power and to 
discharge such people as are unserviceable to me if I can get 
better ones. Good people are few and far between and even if 
they are good they. are easily corrupted there. If Corlcr should 
leave there, let him settle as many accounts as possible and turn 
over all papers, with an inventory thereof, to Anthonie de hooges, 
likewise all the merchandise, charging the said de hooghcs to take 
good care of the latter. But if Corler does not leave, hold this 
order back till his departure occurs or till I issue another order. 
Every effort ought to be made to stop the excessive drinking and 
now that there is a public brewer 33 I hope that private brewing 
will cease. Some regulation might be made regarding the beer 
brewed by him, but as he has not taken a brew kettle with him I 
do not know what he is going to do. As to the evil rumors that 
Corler visits a certain woman in Fort Orange, this gives me much 
ground for serious reflection. If it is true you can as pastor ad- 
monish him to keep away from her in order to avoid all scandal 
and, if you think it necessary, also prohibit it in my name, especially 
if the substance of the suspicion proves true. In the preceding 
pages I have written enough about him, I shall also write him that 
he will learn from you the complaints against him and that he 
must reform in whatever respect he is delinquent or he will entirely 
lose my favor and his reputation among his friends and country- 
men when he comes here, whereas he is otherwise on the way to 
honor and profit and a good marriage. It should be impressed 
upon him that everything depends upon the manner in which he 
serves me. As to his extravagance in office, he must remedy this 
also ; I have written above at length about this ; if he found such 
bad practices, he need not follow them.' I do not believe that Jacob 
planch was so extravagant ; the account which he rendered me does 
not indicate this as he was oblige 1 to pay for his own board, so 
that he [Corler] did not find that custom there but made it him- 
self. If Corler had sent me my accounts I could see whether the 
yacht which lay idle for so many days was charged to me or not. 
Now I can not tell. Is that not a wretched state of affairs? Let 
me know what he gives the people to eat and where he gets the food 
and at what price. At the present rate he might 'consume the 
entire revenue of the colony, which is still small. I hope that 
Anthonie de Hooges will conduct himself well. What I fear most 

••Evert Pel*. 



C>54 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

for him is that he may become addicted to drink, against which 
he must be strongly warned. His sweetheart here, Anneken Sporom, 
married at Cam pen, so that he need not wait for her any longer. 
I have sometimes thought that his thoughts were too much con- 
centrated on her and that he liked the country less on that account. 
You might tell him this when there is an opportunity or have 
somebody else tell him in order that he may be at ease, and 
especially warn him to abstain from strong drink and women. I 
understand that he says that he is little respected; let him behave 
well and have patience and he will be advanced in due time. One 
must first suffer before one can enjoy. I am sorry that the vine 
shoots died ; make some effort to get a few plants from nianhatans 
and to propagate them where you are. You write me that there 
is plenty of land and animals to establish some new farms. I am 
surprised that no people have come to me from the noorder quar- 
ticr; ?A there have been two from sevenberger lant 35 but I have put 
them off till the next ship. If the carpenters could manage it, a 
farmhouse or two might be erected in convenient places, in prepara- 
tion for the coming of these people. I am glad to hear that the 
lumber intended for the ferry house will be used for your dwell- 
ing. I hope that it will be speedily built and that the carpenter from 
Leyden 36 may have repented and reformed. Your recommendation 
as to women for the colony, I follow as well as I can. Several of 
them were detained at the manhatans, where they settled down at 
once. They should be strictly proceeded against in conformity with 
their contracts and my Freedoms. The farmers from breda have 
already several daughters and by and by these will come in handy. 
Everything can not be perfect from the first but things will improve 
gradually. My children are still too young and inexperienced to 
send any of them thither, hut I hope that this can be done by and 
by. Meanwhile I recommend to you to do the best you can by 
admonition and instruction and especially to state in your reply to 
the suggestions made by me what measures have followed them, 
what the results has been and what further had best be done 
and undertaken; also give me particulars as to the farms which 
could be erected, namely, how many and where room could be 
found for them. Wherewith ending. I commend your reverence 



31 The former name df that pari of the present province of North Holland which is 
situated north of the T.T and the Wijker meer. 

15 Zevenbergen, 01 Land /an Zevenbergen; lordship near Breda in the province ol 
North Brabant, embracing the present villages of Zevenbergen, Moerdijk and den Hoeh. 

30 See note on p. 646. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER M A .\ TSi K I I'l s 655 

and your wife to the gracious protection of Almighty God and send 
you hearty and friendly greetings from Us all, that is my wife and 
my son Johannes, as the others with the exception of the smallest 
are at boarding school out of the city. My nephew W outer van 
Twitter three months ago married Miss Maria momma; they also 
send you hearty greetings. Vale. 

P. S. I urgently request you to make a brief summary of the 
contents of this letter and as opportunity offers show, now to 
Hoogcs, now to Corler and now to tanderdonck, what they [should] 
have done about this or that, so as to remind them of [their duty], 
for youth is not so thoughtful as people of more advanced years. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Oloff Stevensz 37 

March 16, 1643 

Oloff Stevensen, in Xew Xetherland at the Manhatans 

This 16th of March, 1643, m Amsterdam 

On account of lack of time I can not write you at length nor 
answer yours of the 10th of September last. This will tell you 
briefly that I thank you very much for the accommodations pro- 
vided for my servant Antlwnie dc hooges. I do not doubt but he 
himself before his departure, or my cousin Arent ran Corler after 
his departure paid and settled for everything that he ate or drank. 
I thank you also for the present offered to my daughter Maria; 
that was unnecessary and it is entirely against my habit to accept 
any presents. As to what you ask of me, I shall take care that 
your money is well invested according to your suggestions. Send 
your accounts to my nephew Wouter ran Twiller, who three 
months ago married here a young woman maria Momma, well 
connected and of means. He will collect the money and then I 
shall see to it that it is profitably invested for you. 

I congratulate you also upon your marriage, which may the 
Lord bless to His glory and to the happiness and contentment of 
both of you. Please to recommend and to urge that the enclosed 
letters, under cover to the Hon. Director Kieft, be sent to the 
colony by his honor in the safest way and at the earliest oppor- 
tunity. I am not pleased to hear that the trade is spoiled so. Let 
me know your opinion as to the cause of it and whether it can not 
be remedied. I fear that the arrival of so many Englishmen will 
later enve trouble. The Lord grant that it may turn out better. 



*» V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.177. 



656 NEW YORK STATE IJRRARY 

Write me your opinion of the colony, in what way you think 
the greatest profit may be derived therefrom, and how the people 
conduct themselves, especially the officers. I shall keep your ad- 
vice secret. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Willem Kieft 3S 

March 16, 1643 

Willem Kieft, director in New Netherland 

This 16th of March 1643, in Amsterdam 
I find that I have several letters from you, among others that of 
the 17th of September 1642. I must answer briefly, as the super- 
cargo of this private vessel in which I have neither goods nor people 
wants to leave tomorrow morning early. I only commend to you 
hereby the forwarding of the enclosed letters to the colony to 
D e Megapolensis, in whose name, as well as in my own, I heartily 
thank your honor for the help and assistance given his reverence 
on his arrival and for his voyage up the river ; I shall leave the 
principal matters till the sailing of the Company's ship, though it 
is still uncertain not only when it will sail but even whether they 
will send any ship this year. I think they will. The Assembly 
of the XIX will meet in a few days to consider the whole question 
of equipment; I hope that they will then also establish the free- 
doms of New Netherland on a definite basis. There are many 
heads, and opinions differ. Some go on the principle of commerce; 
others, though fewer, on the principle of colonization. It is to be 
hoped that these two principles may be neither mixed nor separ- 
ated but combined. According to my opinion they will not im- 
prove the first [freedoms] much. If they left the clause relating 
to colonization in force and raised the duty somewhat on commerce 
in other quarters the country there would by and by flourish, which 
is of the greatest importance to me. Thus far, however, I have 
not been able to find out anything about it. My people have thus 
far not observed proper order in the administration but have 
thrown my instructions in a corner and they have mainly studied 
their own benefit and advancement. I hope that the said mega- 
polensis by Christian admonition will produce some improvement 
in their conduct and behavior and also cause them to keep in mind 



w V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.i 77. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 657 

and follow my instructions. In the enclosed letters, which for 
certain reasons I put under cover addressed to the minister, I 
write about various things which must be arranged with your 
honor, especially about proper regulation of the sailing up and down 
of the vessel by which the Company is so shamefully cheated out 
of its dues and I out of my profit and about the freight charges 
and duties which are in dispute between me and the Company 
and* have been referred here for settlement. Merchantable grain 
must be credited there against other merchantable goods and each 
time the balance paid by the one or the other in money, merchan- 
dise or furs, about which my cousin arent has been so neglect- 
ful that it is a shame. I hear from others of my people that 12 
lasts of wheat were delivered to your honor but I learn neither 
from Arent nor any one else anything [more] about it. It goes 
again in the old way. That I, who bear all the expenses of my 
people, be paid in accounts for everything that they furnish your 
honor is contrary to the orders of the Company to settle all ac- 
counts there and I do not in the least intend to furnish merchantable 
grain for the payment of freight and duties for which they charge 
me three times as much as I owe them. If the Company will not 
transport my goods for what I owe them they may leave them and 
force me to send ships myself. But when they have my goods in the 
storehouse, then to fix freight and duties as they please and to make 
me pay them in merchantable grain from my colony is unreason- 
able. On such conditions I do not want to furnish any more and if 
Arent van Corler had understood his business, he would, even ac- 
cording to the orders of the Company, not have furnished wheat 
wildly but for cash or bills of exchange. I do not find that he has 
ever said or done anything against your honor's fixing everything 
to the interests of the Company and in this way I never get a 
penny for all the grain I furnish. The Company knows very well 
that they have no right to ask this of me; therefore, they send an 
order to your honor and you must follow it, but my people ought 
not to have agreed to it nor thereupon to have furnished grain 
wholesale; this ought therefore to be remedied. The rest I must 
postpone till later ; only I can not omit telling you that my nephew 
W outer van Tzviller married here three months ago, a young woman 
of respectable family of means, so that his voyage to New Nether- 
land has had a good result. I understand that your honor intends 
to come over some time this year and I learn from others that 
your honor has some of my merchandise which I bought from 
42 



658 NEW VDRK STATE LIBRARY 

lopes. If this is so, I shall be glad to give it to your honor at the 

most reasonable price. Vale. 

P. S. Willem Kicft 

The owners of this ship have in the presence of supercargo Wil- 
lem turck promised me to bring me home some cases of furs in 
case your honor has any there from Coder or my people on condi- 
tion that I pay the freight. Do me the kindness to send them to 
me with the bill of lading and, if there is time, to advise Arcnt van 
Corlcr thereof. I understand that there are brickmakers amongst 
the English on the Fresh River and that Jan Evcrtsen bout gave 
them an order for some bricks. If that succeeded all right and 
if the wages are not too high, I should like to contract with them 
for some hundreds of thousands, as there is fine clay in the colony 
for that purpose. Excuse me that I ask so much of and trouble 
your honor so much. 30 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Arent van Curler 40 

March 16, 1643 

Arent Van Corlcr in New Netherland 

This 16th of March 1643, in Amsterdam 
I am in receipt of your letters of the 18th and 26th of August, 
hastily written at the manhatans, to which I can not properly reply 
on account of my annoyance that last year you did not send mc 
any accounts or- books. You make me suspicious. You will learn 
of my dissatisfaction through Mcgapolcusis, as I can write more 
calmly to him about such wrongs than to you. You know that 
since you left the country your father ami now lately your uncle 
boldewyn have died and you would also" make mc pass away my 
life without knowing -Mice, in all* the years that you have been 
there, how y<>u have administered my property. I have offered 
you help but you reply that you can manage it alone. I do not 
know what has become of the merchandise which I sent you; I 
do not know what the farms which arc there cost me; I do not 
know what the house that you live in cost me; I do not know 
what you have eaten up or given away; I do not know whether or 
not you have kept proper record of all the consignments; I do not 



30 The above postscript was written mi a separate piece "f paper found in the Letter 
n<> ( »/,\ That it belongs to the letter to Director Kieft of Mar. 16, 1643, seems evident 
from the heading ami from the occurrence of a corresponding passage in the letter of 

same date to Arent van ('oiler. 

*° V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.178. 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 659 

know how my account there stands with the Company, except 
that kicft, of his own accord, charges me on behalf of the Com- 
pany for freight three times as much as I owe and for duty the 
same as others though for 10 years I do not have to pay any con- 
voy charges on goods going thither ; for the furs coming hither 
however I must pay one guilder here, each time, before I can get 
my skins. For this amount you furnish in advance wheat from the 
colony, which is as if I threw money into the water, for if I should 
furnish wheat in payment of such freight charges and duties I 
must be a fool and an idiot. You should have referred the duties 
and freight charges to me and not furnished any wheat except 
to settle a debt, for merchandise, furs or bills of exchange on the 
Company, according to my agreement with the Company of which 
I sent you a copy. Mr kicft knew how to protect the rights of his 
masters but you have protected the rights of your master like a 
child. I hoped from year to year that matters would improve and 
that some day I should get the accounts and books, but I do not 
get them and if meanwhile I should happen to die, as my children 
are still young and do not know the exact situation, I should lose 
everything. Yes, just lately, you have caused 12 lasts of wheat 
to be delivered and you do not even write me about it, let alone 
that you should send me bills of exchange or furs thereof. What 
must become of this? Do you want to ruin me and yourself and 
do you not think that you must answer for all that? Therefore, 
listen to and follow the advice which D e Megapolensis will give 
and read to you. Do not neglect your duty unless you want to 
make yourself the laughing-stock of all people. If the books and 
accounts are not entirely closed, or not even half closed, send them 
as they are. If you had done that long ago, I could have seen 
by them what your management was and have instructed and ad- 
vised you. Now you pile it all on top of each other. The more 
I tried to advance you, the less information I received. In two of 
your last letters you write me that you have no skins, seawan or 
anything in stock, not of the last consignment which had not 
begun to be sold yet, but of the prece ling consignment; you do not 
even write me what persons I am in debt to and who -are in debt 
to me. In sum, for five years, which may mean life or death to 
a man of advanced years. 1 do not know what has happened in 
my name and on my behalf in such a far-off country and my 
long patience begins to change to impatience. You have now 
had charge of about f36ooo worth of goods, at the purchase price 



660 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

here, of which I have not yet received a single account. Follow 
the advice of Domine Megapolensis and do not lightly reject the 
advice of hooges, although he is younger than you and not so ex- 
perienced; I consider him an upright young man. If your charge 
is too heavy for you, you should have asked for help. To close 
this quarrel, make at once on receipt of this letter a list and in- 
ventory of all the merchandise and be especially careful that the 
duffels do not get damaged, wet or eaten by rats. Make also a 
list of the furs, seawan, debts to be paid and to be collected, in 
order that you may be ready when the ships arrive and send me 
some furs by each ship. There are still 1400 skins insured which 
I expected already last year in return for the goods sent by hooges. 
I want yearly to have accounts and returns or I shall entirely stop 
sending things. I notice that there are many stallions in the colony. 
It would have been better if some had been gelded while young, 
for so many stallions are too hard on the mares. From the letter 
written while among the mahicans I understand that the matter 
with p tcr Cornelissen and Cornells tennissen was settled. Let this 
agreement be carefully observed and the papers examined point for 
point, for p ter Cornelissen can easily say that the patroon's docu- 
ments must not be taken literally but interpreted somewhat freely, 
so that care must be taken that he does not defraud me by fur- 
nishing me more than I need or poor stuff. I understand that 
vander donck will establish his farm at the south end of West 
Island, which is satisfactory to me as he will then be opposite and 
not far from the church neighborhood where henceforth all the 
mechanics and freemen must take up their residence. But I hear 
that you want to put labatije on the farm at the Great Flats 41 and 
give him f20 a month. What does he know about farming? I 
must have further information about this before I can give my 
consent to it. I do not want farms for myself, for when the ex- 
penses are shared equally with the fanners great expenses are 
incurred, and what would the result be if I became alone respon- 
sible for the expenses? If I had the accounts of the farmers who 
have now long gone on half shares, I should know what to say, 
but now I am blind ; therefore, I must have further information 
as to the basis on which it would be done. Hereafter, it must be 
no longer a matter of speculation but when I furnish houses and 
animals I must draw a definite income from it, and I know no more 
than a child what profit the old farms have been to me. It may 



44 de groote vlacte. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 66 1 

turn out better than I think, but I fear that it will result badly 
and that you will be held responsible, for what measures could I 
take about things of which I knew nothing? I do not know either 
what provision you have made for jan labatie, who promised to 
write to me from time to time ; in all I received one letter from him 
in the beginning and nothing more thereafter. He was engaged 
as carpenter and ought to serve out those years. You wrote me 
that in winter when they could not build, he could stay with you 
to hunt in the woods and supply the table. This he and you must 
know, that I will not allow any increase of wages except such as 
is given with my approval and knowledge. The tobacco of albert 
andrissen and his brother sold on an average of 8y 2 [st] a lb. It 
weighed 4484 lb gross, deducting 6$, 270 lb, for the stems, there 
remains 4214 lb net which amounts to f 1790 :io. ; 42 of this the Com- 
pany, counting on 4580 lb, claims a duty of 5$, f 114:10; freight 
charges of 1 st per lb, f220,; and convoy charges of \ l /\ st per lb, 43 
f286:5; together f62C):i5; but I do not want to pay them so much 
and if the tobacco planters in my colony, especially albert andriesen, 
compensate me according to my ordinance for my land on which 
the tobacco grows I shall see to it that he pays less than half of 
these expenses, but as long as he is in dispute with me and I with 
the Company, I must deduct these f62Cj:i5 and also the duty on the 
tobacco which huybert jansen, the son of Jan Comelissen, dis- 
posed of very cheaply, which [duty] with the cases amounted to 
f2i3:i5- Adding thereto f2o:8 st to jcronimus La Croijs for ex- 
penses, the total amount is f863:i8, so that there remains £931 :i2 
net in money, half of which £931 :i2 should belong to me. How- 
ever, you must see on what basis this tobacco was sent and whether 
half of it belongs to me or not. I wish no more than belongs to 
me. You will therefore pay him there the sum which is due to him 
of this account in proper goods and at current prices, to be agreed 
upon with him. If they give me what is right and agree with me 
as to what I should have from my land, I could reduce the ex- 
penses of the Company to at least half of the above amount. I 
learned here that in Virginia the tobacco, without counting expenses 
or duties, is worth but 2 st a lb, reckoned by purchase prices in 
Holland. If this is so, I might send a ship thither also. As to 
Andrics hudde, his claim is impertinent and unreasonable. I have 



42 Letter Book has {47 90 49 which is clearly an error. 

"Letter Book has p Cento out a calculation shows that it should be as above; the 
Company not only counted on 4580 pounds of tobacco but appraised it at .10 st a 
pound, as shown by the items given. 



662 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

a good deal to claim from him, first, 126 paid in his behalf, in the 
colony to Hans Hansen, tobacco planter, for grain. If he hail 
anything to claim from me he should have informed me of it be- 
fore he turned over the farm and the animals, as I should then have 
deducted half of the money from the animals bought of belevelt 
whom I paid in full when I received word that the animals had been 
delivered. Therefore, if he had anything to say he should have 
spoken then or may see that he gets it from bylevelt whom I paid 
in full. As for myself, in addition to the £26, I have the following 
to claim from huddc. In my contract with bylevelt, of which I 
sent a copy and which was shown to huddc, is written N. f>. Board 
and wages of the people till May 1632, which audris hudde agreed 
to upon condition that he have the milk and butter; also, feed for 
the animals till the new planting; 44 so that the butter which he 
made after the first of May, during the summer, belongs to me. 
I am further entitled to the seven morgens of winter grain of the 
new planting of 1632, all of which lutddc received; also the supply 
of summer grain, oats, barley, gray peas, which bylevelt left there. 
together with the crop proceeding therefrom, which he [Hudde] 
also enjoyed and used to fatten the hogs and hens which he sold. 
He also had the benefit of a well planted garden which beylevelt 
left there and in addition to all this a stack of grain 45 which the 
council estimated at 90 schepels of rye and wheat, for which I had 
to pay the Company fioo. All this hud den received and yet he 
is not ashamed to demand money from me who bought all these 
tilings from bylevelt and fully paid him therefor. I have the 
original of the contract but the authenticated copy, in accordance 
with which hudde turned over the animals and the farms, must 
be in that country. ] f it is necessary, I shall send the original 
to make the impudent fellow rightly pay what he rightly owes me. 
letting him get from beylevelt what he has to claim from him; 
I bought and paid cash for all these things. You might give Di- 
rector Kieft an extract from this to show the impertinence of huddc 
and also broer Cornells who wrote me for information. 

As to the church, if this is not yet contracted for or begun. I 
should like that the model which I sent be kept back till some other 
time and that at first and provisionally a suitable place be erecte 1 
which can be used first for preaching and later on be turned into 
a dwelling house. This could be male ready quickly, • about _•(> 



** totte nienwe bouw toe. 
u eeneti bergh saet. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 66 



feet wide and do feet long 5 but the location must remain as di- 
rected and this dwelling- must be placed with the others in proper 
order. Next to the house of D e Megapolensis would not he un- 
suitable and later it could be used as a school. 

I am surprised that you do not write me at all about the crystal 
near the house of michiel Janse and do not send me any further 
samples than the little pieces which you sent at first. There may be 
a great quantity, some pieces larger than others, and these must be 
dug out with care. I am also surprised that such poor care has been 
taken of the vine shoots which I imported alive into the colony at 
great expense and trouble and which are now altogether negiecte 1 
and dead. I receive. 1 the inventory of the animals taken by hooges; 
it is arranged better than the preceding one but 1 send herewith 
a blank which in the future will serve as a model for the inven- 
tories. The paper can be taken lengthwise and in that way many 
more columns made. The cows of the same age must be put on 
the same line, and after them the horses, specifying the full-grown 
cows, oxen and bulls, and then in turn heifer calves, oxen and bulls 
of one and two years, according to the example of the accompany- 
ing blank, beginning with those of the year 1640, 1641 and 1642, 
but those of 1641 and 1642 must be distinguished so as to show the 
difference. See also to this ; I do not know what privilege albert 
andriesen has received that his cows are not mentioned in the in- 
ventory. I do not want any one, no matter who he is, to own any 
animals which are not subject to the right of preemption. There- 
fore, have his animals included therein too, or make him leave the 
colony and pay me for pasturing and hay during the past years. 
You wrote me that clacs jansen ruyter promised to give me one 
half of what he made at the manhatans and that thereupon he ob- 
tained permission to leave. What has become of these earnings? 
Is he ever asked for them ? The owners of the ship called den 
swarten raeven, of which Willem lurch is supercargo, have prom- 
ised me to bring over some cases of furs on condition that I pay 
the freight. Do not fail to send me some when it is possible; dur- 
ing the year 1042 I did not receive a single beaver. 

The statement that vanderdonck seems to have made to you that 
he was to invest yearly £3000 in merchandise is mere talk; his con- 
tracts must show it. I wrote him and I write to you also that I 
('<» not want to hear of verbal statements; everything must be regu- 
lated according to my writings, of which you have the origi- 
nals and I the copies. Every one of you ought to 'be satisfied to 



664 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

perform his duties but it is every one's duty, apart from his in- 
structions, to seek and to further my advantage.- Vandcrdonck, 
as my sworn officer, has the right to propose everything that he 
thinks will serve to my advantage, but in civil actions involving the 
interests of the patroon (and of the whole colony) the commis- 
sioners must examine the proposition 40 and if they reject it, he has 
a right to protest. 

It is strange that all your letters speak of haste. Have you not 
had time once in five years, to write to me in time and beforehand? 
Is not that rather strange ? You answer my letters from memory ; 
you should put my letters before you and read them paragraph by 
paragraph and write me what has been done in each case. You 
write me in every letter that you will send the accounts but you do 
not do it. In reply to yours of the 29th of June last I will say that 
it is well that all the merchandise sent was duly received ; of the 
sale thereof and that this year and last year you bartered a good 
deal with the Indians, I hope to learn in good time. If I could be 
sure of that, I would insure more than the 1400 skins which are in- 
sured now. You might send some at every opportunity. As to 
the fact that Kieft is not willing to pay fio for the wheat, I do 
not intend to let him have it for less. You need not refer that to 
me but should have asked his honor frankly whether he was will- 
ing to pay, not by crediting it on undetermined freights and 
duties but by balancing the amount against debts or in other ways as 
written heretofore, and if he was not willing to do so, you should 
have advised me, telling me at the same time how much I could 
expect so that I might take proper measures. Now my hands are 
tied. You furnish in good faith ; I receive no payment and even 
the price is in dispute. You should have told his honor, if he did 
not care to pay at the rate of f 10 as formerly, that you would have 
to advise me of it and that I had adopted and would adopt other 
measures. In that way you would have shown that you had sense, 
for there is no need to sell such staple for less ; it has a standard 
value the world over. What has been written to me about this I 
consider of no importance. Meanwhile, find out whether the people 
of Virginia would not be glad to buy the wheat at that price. These 
arc things you ought to pay attention to. For the farmers to sell 
[the wheat] at f8 or fo, is fraud; if he could indicate who they are. 
I shall know how to punish them. Words do not count ; deeds must 



* a dan de Gecommitteerde jn de sacckc ran patroon (en de gansche saecke) jn Civiele 
saecken moeten hetselve examineeren. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 665 

reveal the man completely. I am sick of all this talk that the 
farmers will not give me more except at fio; 47 it is childish, they 
must give me one half as belonging to me after the tithes have 
been deducted; their half is uncertain. Who promised them fio? 
And furthermore, brant pelen, crayn Conielisse and broer Cornells 
have accepted the conditions of maurits jansen of f6; the farmers 
from brcda have agreed to that price also, so that it hinges then 
upon a few whose leases will soon expire when we shall settle that 
matter. You excuse them and I do not, for I can get 10 masters 
to one servant. They ought to be ashamed of themselves for hav- 
ing disputed the 16 guilders so long. Are they not aware that 
everything comes in due time, and that it is a poor schout who 
can not wait for his fine and opportunity? Hereafter, they will 
not torment me so much. As soon as their time is up I shall let 
others, who can barely make a living here and who often enough 
apply to me, take charge of the farms of these tormentors, [even 
if] they all have to go down. 48 If no one stands by you, call upon 
the officer in a formal way and if he does not assist you .then write 
to me, not generalities but exactly what the matter is. I can then 
adopt proper measures, but to act on promises, on what people say 
and repeat, amounts to nothing and produces only confusion. 
What is uncertain must be set aside and what is clear must be set- 
tled. They seem to think that in matters which are uncertain, their 
wish ought to be consulted before mine. If they defraud me so 
much in the sending of grain ask p ter Cornelissen, supercargo of 
the vessel to assist you, also Vdonck, in his capacity as officer, 
and if they refuse to do so, protest against them and write to me, 
not in a general way that they will not assist you, but stating in 
what they will not assist you. In that way I can take the neces- 
sary measures but not on mere talk. You complain that I am 
cheated but it is your duty to prevent this in the way described 
above. You must not listen to any excuses from vanderdonck or 
any one else, but tell them plainly and frankly your duty and theirs, 
or write to me. If you had done this regularly I would have 
supported you regularly and, when there was occasion for it, re- 
duced the othe/s in rank and at the end of their term either have 
called them home or dismissed them from their farms. This is the 
way I intend to proceed in the future, even if I have to send new 



47 dattc bouwmr met mccr als fio will geven; literally, that the farmer will not give 
more than fio, hut thr meaning is doubtless that the farmers will not furnish me 
more grain unless I pay them fio. 

** si} suttcn [sitten or sullen?] altesamcn met mij slippe jnde asse. 



666 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

people altogether who fear God and treat me rightly. You ought 
to give me the names of the councilors who are unserviceable to 
me ; I would pass those by, but to exclude all is uncalled for. You 
must ask those who are partial in the matter or themselves guilty 40 
to stand outside, and as to the residents, of whom you write that 
they go to the savages as soon as the latter arrive and spoil the 
trade, communicate this matter to the officer, notify them at once 
that they came into the colony without permission and forbid them 
to trade with the Indians. If they will not obey, call them before 
the court; and if the court refuses to sentence them, refer the case 
to me and write me especially how vandcrdonck behaves in the 
matter. Should I bear all the expense, possess the jurisdiction 
from high authority and should strangers be allowed to ruin the 
trade for me? That is unthinkable. First issue a general pro- 
hibition and then prosecute the law breakers. Serve notice on 
them at their places of residence 50 and if they are obstinate, cause 
them to be lined ; and let vandcrdonck assist you herein, and you 
him, and no one will be able to oppose you. I have no objection 
In your coming over after you send me the accounts; but if you 
should leave there without sending me the accounts every one would 
dispute them to your disadvantage and who would know how to 
settle it but you ? Therefore, do not neglect any longer to send 
them ; your coming over depends upon that only. I am not at all 
willing that you turn the balance of your goods over to labatije. 
He is a foreigner and is under a severe ban in his own country. 51 
I have given you Anthonie dc Hoogcs as assistant and you must 
turn it over to him if I do not take other measures. As to their 
threatening vandcrdonck, I shall send him help if he conducts 
himself well and the threateners will think ten times before they act 
once, for I would make them feci what it means to maltreat the 
officer. I approve of the farm of vandcrdonck near brant pcclc 
and as to my own on the Great Flats, you must proceed carefully. 
Labatic has no knowledge of farming but if you do it 52 on account 
of the trade, that is a different matter. If you and vandcrdonck 
were united and you had Labatic and hooges <>n your side, who 
could harm you? But vandcrdonck complains about the imperti- 



* die -hole saecke P* tydich .tyn oftc vande selve nature; literally, those who arc partial 
in t lie matter or of the same nature. 

50 A general prohibition warning private traders not to sail into tlie colony and a 
no lice to be served on them individually were issued in print l>y the patroon under 
elates of Sept. -•, and Sept. 8, 1643; see p. 682 85, 697-90- 

:i1 hy is een z'reemdelijnck en staet onder een sw.ire sensure in syn hint. 

'■•- Put Labatic on the farm. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 66j 

nence of Labatij. You have great plans about the farm at the 
Great Flats but see to it that it does not become too expensive and 
that care be taken about the servants so that the undertaking- may 
do you credit and be of profit to me. That the farmers refuse to 
furnish animals without actual payment is not justified by their 
contract. You must find out who the author of that statement is 
and give me the name of the man. It must be some invention of 
Cornells teunisse, who in order to avoid paying me what he owes 
me asks me [to pay] the note of hand which dirrick Corsen un- 
faithfully made out in his name. Let them first settle their ac- 
counts and then when their lease expires, make an inventory of the 
increase and loss of animals. The original number must be kept. 
If I paid them for the increase and a horse or cow died the next 
day, where would these fellows get another in its stead except 
through my efforts ? In that case they would also have to make 
prompt payment to me. I should like to know who said that. You 
must not write in general terms but name the man who said it. 
If you boxed the ears of such rude fellows who thus state their in- 
tentions against their lord and master, so that they felt for them 
with both hands, they might then realize against whom they have 
spoken so insolently. As to Willem Juriaensen, who sailed I think- 
as a baker, make an example of him. Let vanderdonck bring ac- 
tion against him ; his time has expired long ago and make him leave 
the colony, for if you have no one to proceed against by way of 
example you will accomplish nothing. See who is with you in 
the council, and who is against you. If they do not help you 
against a man whose contract entirely forbids trading and whose 
time has expired, they are not worthy to be councilors and I would 
dismiss such people from the council as unworthy. You must not 
bind yourself so strictly by the price of the skins. When you have 
much merchandise you must give a little more and keep strangers 
out both by your authority and by outbidding them. / see your 
plan about the English bark. I can not say vety much about it 
yet; experience will be the best guide in the matter; but I am sur- 
prised that the skins can be bought cheaper from some one else 
than in the colony. If it has been bad tints far, I hope that it will 
improve] but it is a good thing that you anise seawan to be used in 
trading. J am pleased to hear that Sander leendersen is an upright 
man, 53 such people™ I am inclined to advance. 



"" Jck hoove geerne dat Sander leendersen vroom is. 

64 Underlined in Letter Book. 



668 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I do not want the council to change the first of January to the 
first of May, for the grain which is in the field on the first of May 
belongs to the new planting. Therefore, I do not want the ac- 
counts to be closed on another day than that on which the lease of 
the land commences, but I have no objection to its being a little 
later in January. It seems that the council is inclined to change 
all my ordinances so as never to settle any accounts. The council 
must know that I appointed them and that they did not appoint me. 
You will ask vandcrdonck to have the accounts settled on the day 
fixed by me and to have every one notified in time and to have those 
who fail to settle their accounts fined. Meanwhile, it will be all 
right if this time the accounts be settled on the first of May next 
but hereafter it must be done in January, when the animals are in 
the stable where they can be counted and the grain is in the barn. 
As [the leases of] the houses begin in May, I hope that the debit 
and credit accounts balanced in January will be settled then ; no 
stock must be taken of the animals, which they can hide then, as 
they run in the field. I notice that there is some trouble about this 
already: I am also willing that an estimate be made in January 
and the accounts adjusted and paid in May but the registration of 
animals must at all events take place in January, specifying which 
are with calf or colt. I am also surprised that in the inventory no 
mention was made of the sheep and hogs, upon which sheep mauris 
jansen has prided himself a great deal. You understand this, that 
when I send an ordinance or instruction they must for the time 
being be issued and executed as they are ; and if any change ought 
to be made in them, you must advise me thereof in good time, 
with the reasons, and await my further orders, for you and all 
those who represent my person must understand that I am superior 
to the council appointed by me and they are not my superiors. 
They must follow my orders and not I theirs. To let one of the 
councilors count the vimmen 55 [of grain] of a farm will not do ; 
the farmers who are members of the council must have nothing 
to do with that; they are partial. 56 



m vimmen; see p. 558 note. 

r '" At this point in the Letter Book, at the bottom of folio iSib, occurs tlic word 
verz'olght, continued, but there is no continuation of the letter in ibe book. Tt is 
worth noting that it is the only letter from the patroon lo his agents in the colony to 
which (lie reply, at least in translated form, has been preserved. Unfortunately the 
translation given by O'Callaghan in his History of New Netherland, 1:456 65, is in 
many places clearly incorrect and the Dutch copy or draft which he found among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss is not with those papers at present. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 669 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Antony de Hooges 57 
March 18, 1643 

Anthonie de Hooges, in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

This 18th of March 1643 at Amsterdam 

I have your letters of the first of March and the 18th of August 
of last year, 1642, to which the following is a brief answer, as time 
has gone by in writing to others. I have recommended you well, 
as you will learn from d e megapolensis, but I must admonish you 
for your own good to continue to be religious and faithful and 
especially to guard yourself against drunkenness and lewd women. 
There are many rumors current about the first but you can best 
test the matter yourself; heed the faithful admonitions of your 
pastor d e Megapolensis and do not follow the footsteps of those 
who may be guilty thereof, but fear the Lord ; do right and fear 
no one. You will do well to keep and send me a daily journal, 
giving a truthful account of affairs, for I have no use for things 
that are not true. Respect the commis Arent van Coder and by 
and by he will like you. Keep good order and peace, but not when 
things are wrong. Have the accounts of the manhatans entered on 
the books, which probably is already done. Those who married 
at the manhatans must bear their own expenses and if they refused 
to do so you should have stopped the publication of the banns or 
made them promise to go to the colony according to their con- 
tracts, for they were not their own masters. Mr kieft must help 
you therein by order of their High Mightinesses the States General, 
as is well known to Officer zander donck. 

You duly notice the evils which are present in the colony; that 
is the way things usually go in the world and the deeper you get 
into it the more you will notice it. If you walk uprightly among 
this wicked and adulterous generation, you will find peace for your 
soul. Do not let the evil examples seduce you but take them as a 
warning. 

I received the list of the animals ; it must be made out each year 
according to the blank and the brief instructions to my cousin 
Arent van Corler. You might put the horses and cows on one 
paper with several columns, but the transfer, increase and deaths of 
animals must be entered on separate blanks. I hope that you will 
have more and more satisfaction ; all new things are difficult but 



" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.182. 



670 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

matters will turn out to your advantage if you conduct yourself 
well. I must thank you for communicating to me the text of the 
first sermon of d c megapolensis ; no other foundation can and ought 
to be laid. Vale. 



Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 5S 

July 9, 1643 

Toussain Muyssart, at Leyden 

This 9th of July 1643, in Amsterdam 
This afternoon we bought, with the advice of ship's carpenters 
and other experts, a ship 59 suitable for our intended voyage, of 80 
lasts burden, well protected with an upper deck, five feet high, ex- 
tending the entire length, a comfortable forecastle to lodge people 
in, mounted with six pieces properly supplied with powder, lead 
and ammunition, and well provided with tackle and sails and all 
that belongs thereto. I was on it yesterday with conf rater blom- 
maert and S r Bcsscls; we looked it over carefully and this after- 
noon purchased it for 7000 guilders. It has lately come from Portu- 
gal, having taken 79 lasts of rye to that country, and is a ship with 
a square stern, 60 built at Lubeck, of heavy timber, but somewhat 
old though well kept. It has also rather too much draught but will 
serve us well enough to send people and goods to Virginia as well 
as to New Netherland. We shall now make all possible haste in 
purchasing the cargo and supplies. The ship will not need exten- 
sive repairs as it was thoroughly overhauled a half year ago. The 
duffels are very expensive at 35 st a yard. For the present you 
will please with all diligence have 12 pieces, [instead of] half of 
them red and half of them steel gray, made gray only as an offset 
against the others and so as to reduce the average price. 61 I sent 
a great many which are probably not yet all sold. You must look 
out especially for the width, for the last time the duffels from 
Leyden were the narrower. 



68 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.182. 

C9 This was the ship het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck, which sailed in September of 
the same year. Jan Shnonsz was skipper and Pieter Pietersz Wijncoop was supercargo. 
The invoice of this voyage is found among the Rensselaerswyck Mss and amounts to 
f 12870:1 1 :i2. For the experiences of the ship at New Amsterdam, see O'Callaghan, 
History of New Netherland, 1:342. 

00 is cen Spiegel Scliip. 

111 v. / sal gelieven in alle diligentie vooreersl /.' /> t/2 rootle 1/? staelgrauwe enckel stael 
te doeii maeken ende tegen malcanderen balanceeren en daermede de duiirte eesseeren. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 67 1 

The 10th ditto. 

This letter written to this point yesterday was left till today as 
we have been busy making invoices and engaging the skipper and 
the supercargo, which was done today. Please to greet Mr de laet; 
when he comes here, we shall talk the matter over further and as 
his honor hesitates about contributing his tenth share because he is 
director, 62 I shall be pleased to have you furnish it as I must fur- 
nish six tenth shares ; otherwise I shall have to find some one else, 
which I do not like to do, so as not to pave the way for another. 
I shall expect your reply at the first opportunity. I was looking 
forward to your coming here, as Mr de laet wrote of it, but you 
have not come. In order to keep strangers out of this business, I 
have admitted my mother in law to an equal share with the par- 
ticipants of the colony, so that she will participate to the amount 
of fcpoo. May Almighty God grant us good success, of which I 
have great hopes from the appearance of things. We intend to 
have the ship and lading insured as far as the half share of the 
colony is concerned. Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart ,1:1 

July 18, 1643 

Tousaiu Muijssart, at Leyden 

This 18th of July 1643, in Amsterdam 

I still have your favor of the 12th instant. As to the duffels 
which were to be made as soon as possible, we would have ordered 
here 12 pieces more but on account of the high price we had only 
six made and shall let it go at that for the present, as a considerable 
number were sent before. As to providing the tenth share of Mr 
del act among the three of you, S r bessels is willing to do so but he 
thinks that when Mr delaet comes here, he will be able to induce 
him to furnish his share. If not, it will remain as you write. We 
are very busy ; we hoped to have the outside of the ship ready today 
but some worm holes which go clear through show themselves on 
the last side, which keep the work somewhat back as they must be 
properly attended to. 

I wish you could come here sometime that we might communicate 
to each other matters which it takes too long to write with a pen. 
We intended first to include in our cargo about f200 worth of cam- 

'■'-' bewinthebber; i. e. director of tlio West India Company. 
03 V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, 1.182b. 



672 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

let or cloth from Leytlen, but I am informed that the English 
material will be more to our purpose and cheaper. The double 
dyed cloth, grayish and 5/4 wide, is sold at f24 to f3o; camlet from 
reysel, u 3/4 wide, red and violet, at izS ; English serge, 6/4 wide, 
dark green, musk 65 and red, at f37; and as I do not know much 
about this I shall wait to hear from you the prices of the materials 
from Leyden with your statement as to the difference and what will 
serve us best. I shall then answer immediately how much you may 
furnish us. Vale. 

[Son of Kiliaen van Rensselaer] to Jan Bastiaensz' 

July 22, 1643 

Jan bastiaensen, at Utrecht, on the Cooren marckt,^ at the stadt 
Santen 68 

This 22d July 1643, in Amsterdam 
This morning my father duly received your letter and learned 
from it that you have good peas. You will therefore at the first 
opportunity please send the following: 

15 sacks of white peas 

7 Yz sacks of green peas 

8 sacks of beans 

And if fresh peas are to be had which are hard and dry enough to 
stand the voyage, let us know, as we have still eight or ten days. 
Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes Megapolensis of Coedijck ,!!) 

July 22, 1643 

D e J oh: Megapolenses, minister at Coedyc 

This 22d of July 1643, in Amsterdam 
These few lines will serve to advise your reverence that at the 
earliest opportunity a ship will sail for New Netherland. If your 
reverence should like to send or write anything, it ought to be here 

61 Rijssel, or Lille, in Artois, France. 
05 museus, perhaps intended for muscus. 
m V.R.B.Mss, Letter Book, f.183. 

07 Literally, the grain market, referring to the section of the Oude Gracht, between 
the Hamburger and Wees bridges. 

08 At the sign of the city of Santen. Santen, or Xanten, lies mar Wesel, Rhine 
Province, Germany. 

vV.R.B.Mss, Letter Booh, f.183. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 673 

in eight or at the latest in 14 days. It would be well if some one 
came over some time when convenient, as your nephew d e Mega- 
polensis has some claim in connection with his service on board 
ship which had better be presented by his relatives than by me. As 
I have a great deal to do in equipping the ship, I must be briet. 
Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 70 

July 22, 1643 

Tousain Muysart, at Ley den 

This 22d of July 1643, in Amsterdam 

In reply to yours of the 20th instant, will say that you will please 
order as soon as possible, to be sent here with the duffels: 

2 pieces of Leyden grosgrain, double dyed and 5/4 wide, light 
liver color or gray 

2 pieces of Leyden serge, first quality, color at your discretion. 
The lowest prices will suit us best. I should like to know when the 
duffels will be ready. Yesterday we began to load as ballast, bricks, 
tiles, smith's coal, iron and the like. We make diligent haste. 

Mr de Laet has come. We shall have further talk with him; 
otherwise his one tenth share must be furnished by the three of you. 
Vale. 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Toussaint Muyssart 71 

August 6, 1643 

Tousain Muyssart, at Leyden 

This 6th of August 1643 at Amsterdam 
These in haste to urge you to press the matter of the duffels as 
today we began to put provisions on board and hope to load the 
wines tomorrow and the other goods in the beginning of next week, 
so that the duffels ought to be here by the middle of next week 
with the other goods or else they will cause delay. The other duf- 
fels, those from Campen, are finished and I hope everything will be 
ready, if possible by the middle of this month, to sail hence to the 
Texel, unless some other delay should occur which we neither know 
of nor expect. 



™ V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.183. 
" V. R. B. Mss, Letter Book, f.183. 



674 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Today I handed the skipper the papers concerning the boy stay- 
ing with lamontange and urged him to bring him back. 

It is exceedingly inconvenient that I have no assistance of any 
kind; Mr blomaert suffers from gout and bessels lies sick with 
fever, but I hope that they will soon recover ; which may God grant. 
Do not fail to advise me at once so that I can regulate myself 
accordingly. 

[End of Letter Book.] 

Extracts from agreements and contracts between Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer and his colonists 72 

January 12, 1631-August 25, 1643 
Clein Segel 

2 st [signed] / bruijningh 

This seal serves for the annexed extracts. 

By me: 

[signed] /: Vande Ven 
Not. 

Extracts from the agreements and contracts entered into and 
made by kiliaen Van rensselaer, as patroon of the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck, situated on the North River of New Netherland, with 
diverse persons, farmers, servants, millwrights and others, whom he 
in his capacity aforesaid sent to the aforesaid colony from the year 
1 63 1 to his death. 

MARINUS ADRIAENSZ VAN DER VEERE 73 

January 12, 163 1 

Agreement entered into with marijn Adriaensen van der veer, 
this 1 2th of January 1631. 

On conditions and terms hereafter specified, kiliaen van rcnsse- 
laers as patroon of his colony situated about Fort Orange on the 



" V. R. B. Mss 38, marked H iij. These extracts were prepared by Notary Joost van 
de Ven, Oct. 7, 1649, in connection with the controversy between the late patroon's 
copartners and the guardians of Johannes van Rensselaer. 

78 The full agreement is found in the Letter Book; see p. 176-79. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 675 

JMorth River of New Netherland, on one side, and Marijn adriaensz 
van der Veere for himself and his men, on the other side, have 
agreed, stipulated and contracted, etc. 

In witness of the truth of the above agreement, this is signed by 
the patroon and marijn adriaensz with their own hands, in the 
presence of the undersigned witnesses, in Amsterdam, this 12th of 
January 1631. Was signed in the several hands: 

Marinus adriaensen Kiliaen Van Renselaer 

W : Van Tzviller, as witness. 

ANDRIES CHRISTENSZ VAN FLECKERO : AND OTHERS 74 

July 2, 163 1 

Another 

At the request of andries Crist ensz van vleeckeren, 40 years of 
age, Laurens Laurensz van Coppenhage, 36 years of age, and 
Barent thomassen van heijligezont, 22 years of age, Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, as patroon of his colony situated above and below Fort 
Orange on the North River of New Netherland, has agreed and- 
contracted with the aforesaid persons for the term of three years, 
commencing on their arrival in that country, etc. 

In testimony of the truth of the above agreement, this is signed 
by the patroon and the persons aforesaid with their own hands, in 
Amsterdam, 2 June of the year 163.1. Underneath was written: 
the mark X of andries Crist ensz, the mark X of laurens 
laurensz, X berent thomassen, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. 

GERRIT THEUSZ DE REUX 75 

June 15, 1632 

Another 

Contract made and entered into by Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, as 
patroon of his colony called Rensselaerswyck situated on the River 
maritius or North River of New Netherland, above and below Fort 
Orange and on both sides of the said river, with Gerrit theusen dc 
reus, as farmer of a farm to be established on the Fort Orange 



1* The full agreement is found in the Letter Book; see p. 186-89. The date is there 
given as July 2, 163 1 and the name here spelled Thomassen is there and elsewhere in 
the Letter Book found as Thonissen. 

78 The full contract is found in the Letter Book; see p. 193-95- 



676 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

side near the fourth creek, now called blommaerts kil, situated 
above and 70 north of Fort Orange, this 15th of June 1632 in Am- 
sterdam, etc. 

Thus done and passed in the city of Amsterdam and for all that 
is aforewritten the said de reux pledges and binds his personal 
possessions, movable and immovable, present and future, none ex- 
cepted, subjecting the same to the execution of all the honorable 
courts and judges; in witness whereof it is signed. 

Below was written: 

the mark X of Gerrit theusen de reux. 

JACOB ALBERTSZ PLANCK 77 

March 4, 1634 

Another 
This day, the fourth day of the month of March in the year 1634, 
before me, Sijmon ruttens, notary public admitted by the court of 
Holland, residing in Amsterdam, and before the hereafternamed 
witnesses, appeared and presented themselves, Mr Kiliaen Van 
rensselaer, as patroon of his colony situated on the North River 
of New Netherland called Rensselaerswyck, of the one part, and 
Jacob albertsz planch, of this aforesaid city, of the other part, both 
of which parties, known to me, the notary, declared that they had 
contracted and completely agreed about the following things and 
conditions. First, etc. Thus done in the city of Amsterdam at 
my, the notary's, house and office, etc. 

PIETER CORNELISZ VAN MUNNICKENDAM AND OTHERS 

August 26, 1636 
Another 
In the name of the Lord, Amen. On conditions hereafter speci- 
fied, we, Pieter Cornelissen van munnickendam, millwright, 43 
years of age, Claes jansz van naerden, 33 years of age, house car- 
penter, and albert andriessen van fredrickstadt, 78 29 years of age, 



79 Or in the Letter Book. 

77 The full contract is found in the Letter Book; see p. 250-54. 

78 Albert Andriesz from Frederikstad, in the southeast of Norway; hence, in the 
early records, his usual appellation of Albert Andriesz Noorman. After 1670, he 
appears in the Albany county records generally as Albert Andriesz Bradt. O'Callaghan, 
perhaps on the strength of Roeloff Swartwout's statement on the death of Albert 
Andriesz, in 1686, that he was een van de oudste en eerste inwoonders der colonie Rens- 
selaerswyck (one of the oldest and first inhabitants of the colony of Rensselaerswyck) 
includes Albert Andriesz among the colonists of 1630, but no reference to him can be 
found in the Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss or in the Rensselaerswyck Mss before 1636. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 677 

tobacco planter, have agreed among ourselves, first, to sail in 
God's name to New Netherland in the small vessel which now lies 
ready and to betake ourselves to the colony of Rensselaerswyck for 
the purpose of settling there on the following conditions made with 
Mr Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, as patroon of the said colony, etc. 

Thus done and passed, in good faith, under pledge of our per- 
sons and property subject to all courts and justices for the fulfill- 
ment of what is aforewritten, at Amsterdam, this 26th of August 
1636. 

In witness whereof we have signed these with our own hands in 
the presence of the undersigned notary public. Below was written : 

Kiliaen Van Rensselaer Pieter Cornelissen 

albert andriessen and 
Claes jansen 
J Vande Ven, Notary 

REYNIER THIJMENSZ AND DIRCK JANSZ 

August 26, 1636 

Another 

We, the underwritten, acknowledge hereby that at our request 
we have agreed with kiliaen van rensselaer, in his capacity as 
patroon of his colony called Rensselaerswyck, to sail in God's name 
to the aforesaid colony in the ship that now lies ready, for the pur- 
pose of settling there for a period of four years as free colonists 
and inhabitants of that colony, etc. 

Thus agreed by us, the undersigned, this 26th of August 1636 
in Amsterdam and was signed in the several hands : reijnier thomas- 
sen,™ the mark X of dire janss, 80 etc. 



79 Given in the account books among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, as Reynier Thijmensz, 
Tijmense or Timansz, van Edam. 

80 Given as Dirck Jansz van Edam. 



678 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ABRAHAM STAAS AND FAMILY 

February 1, 164.2 

Another 

Extract from the record of Mr kiliaen van renssclacr, lord of 
Rensselaerswyck, etc., of privileges and contracts granted to and 
made with his inhabitants and subjects in the said colony, situated 
in Xew Netherland, etc. 

Abraham Staas van Amsterdam, 81 24 years of age, for himself 
as well as for trijntgen jochims, his wife, 19 years of age, and a 
servant or boy whom he must take with him, has gratefully ac- 
cepted the conditions of freemen of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
after they were read to him, and this for the period of six years 
commencing on his arrival in the colony, with a view to practising 
his profession of surgeon in the colony during the aforesaid time 
(to the exclusion of all others) on the strength of the good, written 
testimonial given him by master jan dircksen brimmer, 82 surgeon 
of this city, and shown to the patroon, etc. 

Whereupon the aforesaid Abraham Staas, besides signing these 
conditions shall take the proper oath of submission and fealty to 
the lord patroon according to the copy thereof, given him. Done 
at Amsterdam, the 1st of February 1642, and in witness thereof 
signed by the said Abraham Staas in the presence of the under- 
signed notary and witnesses. Was signed: Abram Staas, H: V: 
Velde, j. Vandc Ven, notary public residing in Amsterdam. 



81 In reply to an inquiry made for the purpose of ascertaining whether Abraham Staas, 
or Staes, was in any way connected with the contemporaneous and well known city 
carpenter of Amsterdam, ITendrik Tacobsz Staets, Mr W. R. Veder, archivist of the 
city, informed the editor that the records of births for 1617 and 1618 show no Abraham 
whose father is called Staas, or Staes: presumably Staas' father is entered under his 
patronymic. Though Staas is not entered in the register of master surgeons, he is 
called surgeon in the record of his intended marriage. Tan. o, 16+2. His place of resi- 
dence is given as Nieuwe Weg, Amsterdam: that of his bride Tryntje Jochems, as 
Haarlemmcr straat, Amsterdam. Both his parents were dead at the time and Staas' 
uncle, Dirck Jansz, acted as witness. The name of Staas' master was Jan Dircksen 
Brumer, not Brimmer- Staas was apprenticed to him Aug. 14, 1635. Mr Veder also 
stated that Mr N. de Roever, the former city archivist, left among his notes the 
following memorandum: Abraham Staets in Manhattan, 1653; see Protocol of Notary 
Touw, 3 May. 

82 See preceding note. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 679 

EVERT PELS 

June $, 1642 

Another 

The patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, understanding 
that several people in this colony outside of their trade occupy 
themselves with the brewing of beer, which not only hinders the 
said people in their ordinary work but exposes the houses of the 
patroon to the danger of fire and in addition causes the said beer 
to be sold there in an irregular manner at very extravagant and 
high prices, to wit, at 20 guilders a barrel, to the burden of the 
community, and wishing to make provision in this matter, has 
thought advisable and fit for the service of his subjects, to license 
and authorize, as he does hereby, Evert Pels van Statljn, 83 who is 
well acquainted with brewing, for the space of six consecutive years, 
etc. 

Finally, he must govern himself according to the laws and ordi- 
nances of the lord patroon or his commissioners and submit him- 
self to all the clauses and articles relating to the freemen or colo- 
nists of the colony for so far as they do not conflict herewith and 
which have been read to him, for that purpose, under special pledge 
and obligation more fully expressed therein. Done at Amsterdam 
the 5th of June 1642. Below was written: Evert Pels. 

CORNELIS SEGERSZ VAN VOORHOUT 

August 25, 1643 

Another 

In the name of the Lord, Amen. On conditions hereafter 
specified, Cornells Segertsen van egmont, 8 * farmer, about 44 years 
of age, for himself, for brechtgcn Jacobs, his wife, 45 years of age, 
three daughters and three sons named Cornells, 22 years of age, 
Claes, 20 years of age, and Seger Cornellssen, 14 years of age, also 



88 Stettin, in Pommern, Germany. 

84 This is the only instance the editor has found in which the designation van egtnont 
occurs in connection with the name of Cornelis Segersz. In Notarial Papers, 1660-76, 
v.i, in the Albany county clerk's office, Cornelis Segersz is frequently referred to as 
Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout and the same designation van Voorhout appears in the 
Van Rensselaer Bowier Mss, the Rensselaerswyck Mss and the records in the Albany 
county clerk's office in connection with the names of the children. Voorhout is a 
small place near Leyden; Egmond lies near Alkmaar. 



680 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Lijsbeth, 16 years of age, janetgen, 10 years of age and neelgen 
Cornells, 8 years of age, for whom he makes the promise that they 
will also faithfully carry out and fulfil the following agreement, 
has bound himself and his wife and six children as he hereby does 
bind them, to the honorable Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, ex-director of 
the Chartered West India Company and patroon of this colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, situated on the North River of New Nether- 
land, etc. 

In witness of what is aforewritten, this has been sealed with the 
seal of the aforesaid patroon and the colony and signed by the 
aforesaid Cornells Segersz van egmont with his own hand, in Am- 
sterdam this 25th of August of the year 1643. Was signed in the 
several hands : Cornells Segers-Soon. This mark made by breghje 
Jacobs. 

These nine extracts are made from copies and originals and after 
collation are 'found to agree with them, which is certified by me, 
residing in Amsterdam, 

[signed] /; vande Ven 
nots Pub. 
vij. 

A . 1649 

10. 

Commission to Nicolaes Coorn, as commander and commis on 
Rensselaers Steyn, and to Jan Dircksz van Bremen, as 
skipper of the vessel 85 

August 26, 1643 

The patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, noticing with sor- 
row the great disturbances which have lately occurred between the 
heathen and the Christians near the island of the Manhatans and 
fearing that this might extend further, even -to his colony, has on 
the occasion of the offer of certain persons to go thither as free 
men (imitating to some extent the example of the Chartered West 
India Company with regard to the island of the Manhatans) and 
also for the sake of having a suitable place of retreat for his people 
to which they can conveniently and with the smallest boats betake 
themselves in time of need, which God forbid, and finding that the 
island commonly called Beeren Island, now named by him Rensse- 
laers Steijn, situated in the river at the entrance to the colony, is 
very suitable for both his purposes, has thought fit to admit the 

»» V. R. B. Mss 27. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 68l 

above persons on certain conditions agreed upon with them the 21st 
of this month and, in order to benefit as much as is possible and 
advisable the place of their residence aforesaid, has deemed fit, 
provisionally and till further order, to confer upon the said island 
the right of staple or bulk breaking of all merchandise which wishes 
to or must pass up from below or down from above, exempting 
always the goods or vessels of the said West India Company which 
going to or coming from Fort Orange may want to pass there 
(provided that under this pretext no goods are included which be- 
long to his colonists or are intended to be sold to them) ; also to 
favor the said inhabitants of Rensselaers Steijn, provisionally and 
till further order as before, with the carrying trade so that all goods 
coming from below or wishing to go down must be transported up 
there or from there down in their sloops and vessels, as is more 
fully stipulated in the aforesaid contract of the 21st; and whereas 
suitable persons are required for this, the patroon respectively ac- 
cepts and hereby appoints under the proper oath of fidelity Nicolaes 
Coom, as commander and commis 86 on the said island, and Johan 
Dircxsz van Bremen, as skipper of the vessel, and hereby orders 
and commands all the inhabitants of the colony, whoever they may 
be, quietly to allow the same to execute their office in conformity 
with their contract, oath and instructions without molesting them 
in any manner, but rather rendering and showing them every favor, 
help and assistance that circumstances will admit of. And whereas 
the patroon is now sending two millstones to erect another grist- 
mill, in the hope of shipping yearly a great deal of meal either to 
the Manhatans or vicinity or within the limits of his Freedoms, in 
case the inhabitants of Rensselaers Steijn should find it convenient 
and expedient to erect at their own expense a wind or water mill 
either on that island or some nearby creek, the patroon leaves to 
the judgment of his three commissioners and the officer of the 
colony the question whether it would be more expedient to erect 
the said wind or water mill there or somewhere else and in what 
manner the patroon, aside from the ownership of the millstones 
shall receive proper recognition of the mill or water rights. 

And in case the inhabitants of the island of Rensselaers steijn, 
or upon advice as aforesaid other persons of sufficient means in 
the colony, should be willing to erect the said wind or water mill 
at their own expense, charging proper fees for grinding as in this 
country and giving the patroon for the use of his stones and the 



so Wachtme ester en Commis. 



682 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

mill or water rights a just third part of the ground grain, the said 
commissioners and the officer are hereby authorized to deal with 
the persons who may be willing to undertake the same, preference 
being given in this matter to those of Rensselaer s steijn, if their 
location is the most favorable and if they have enough wind or 
water. And in testimony of the truth, the patroon has sealed this 
instrument with the seal of the colony and signed it with his own 
hand, and has ordered it to be recorded in the secretary's office. 
In Amsterdam, this 26th of August sixteen hundred and forty 
three. Underneath was written and signed: Kiliaen van Rensse- 
laer, patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck ; the fold bearing a 
seal in red wax covered with white paper. 

[Endorsed] 
Copy of the commission of 
Nicolaes Coorn. 

Placard warning private traders not to sail into the colony and 
setting forth new trade regulations in connection with the 
staple right of Rensselaers Steyn S7 

September 2, 1643 

Warning, Prohibition and Permission concerning the colony of 

Rensselaerswyck 

The patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, foreseeing that his 
necessary, good and sincere intention in occupying and peopling 
Beer en Island (now named by him Rensselaers-steyn) , either 
through misunderstanding or for selfish motives, will be miscon- 
strued and resented because he can no longer suffer that others eat 
the fruits of the table which he has spread and provided; having 
also now for many years past been at heavy expense and spending 
more money all the time without the enjoyment of any returns 
worth mentioning, while others who come only occasionally have 
through the unfaithfulness of his inhabitants taken more skins out 
of his colony in a few weeks than he has done "in many long years, 
notwithstanding that his commis has at hand quantities of goods for 
barter, resulting from the fact that several colonists or freemen 
pass so freely and easily in and out of his colony as if it were their 

87 V. R. B. Mss 62; entitled: Waerschovwinge, Verboth, cnde Toelatinghe, weghens 
de Colonic van Renselaers-wyck. Broadside 41 x 28 cm; letterpress 37.8x24.4 cm. The 
issue of a general prohibition to private traders is suggested by the patroon in his 
letter to Arent van Curler of March 16, 1643, on p. 666. 



WAERSCHOVWINGE 

Verboth , cndc Toc-latinghe , weghens dc Colonic var, 

R E N S E L A E R S-W Y C K. 




C'niaatrooiibatt dc Colo= 

me pan Ren/Blacrs-wijck Boo: funic 

Sac fijnc nooOMjt rjotOt niCr tinrert in 

tcnrir in Ikc brfttttn tnoc popuittttn 

U.inl(tt 11. irtn !■") l.mdt / iiuOoo.Mjfni 

V *\? .'}) Bcnacmt Rcnffi-lacrvltcyn)/ofBOOjntHJ 

« '/tgL- yf t)crftjnt:ofOoo;tBoni()itt/ftccJi»IUioi' 

fi^-^sv Ben iiiifamibcuiiBcBrnriBtt/ BootOicn 

L^ d $ (Km uitt l.n igcr re Itjorn ftcttt, twt att&c 

>^j^7 rr cim Ot limit ten fijnc t.iftl Sic ln> qc 

Dttlit/ tiiDcglitflorTtcrt Iwfr : IxBbriiDc 

.. Utile tarcn tinrjii : tn notli lior langet hoc inctrBtr atn t uiitflllc- 

ben fjcaicrrt | fonoci pets mctrDi.ilia d.icr boo.' tjenooten tt licbbtn/ 

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lint fiwc Colonic litUOtn QclMtlt als lin in lanrjiit tnDc in tittle larcn 

lircft rjlitBacii . ruettcrjen fratnor fnntii Cammisquaimtcnttoti 

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liitiffitttic lurt. ..joo s rn'riilcltaa.itDennooinocmDfn r.uroon 

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Compaaiut litm rjlKBtUcn : fuDc fpmalnrli ooo: Cr~i>oorjf| : 

pooorDmrn platen Crnrrorl Der DrrrciurjitOr OrOtilaiiCrii 

mit .^loiiuti.-.nit ii'..-rt)tsfiKlllipIltcte: meto;Dic tan (tart OoobO: 

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ftint Colonic onBcr br Btlofrt Dan CrOr ctmot prim iitn ma0fJ I 
Brim/ als met fn.ificlitutn : tnOc Confcnt ban (wren Ben . 
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Placard warning private traders not to sail into the colony, Sept. 
1643, V.R.B.Mss 62. About 2/5 of original size 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 683 

colony, their people and their jurisdiction : therefore the aforesaid 
patroon by these presents gives notice and warning to all such trad- 
ers that by virtue of the fifth article of his Freedoms, granted to 
him by the Assembly of the Nineteen of the Chartered West India 
Company and enlarged by special sovereign act of the High and 
Mighty Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, with 
orders from their High Mightinesses to the aforesaid West India 
Company, as well as instructions and commands to the director and 
council of New Netherla-nd, present or future, to maintain him the 
said patroon and his descendants forever in the quiet and peaceful 
enjoyment of his privileges (which fifth article cedes to him as 
patroon of the earliest colony on the North River the command on 
the said river,, with regard to subsequent colonies and colonists, em- 
powering said subsequent colonies to appoint one or more councilors 
to assist him that in consultation they may look after the interests 
of the colonies on the river, for which purpose nobody has thus far 
been presented to him so that the said command still rests with him 
alone), by virtue of this he now requests first of all that the director 
of New Nctherland in accordance with the instructions received 
from the High and Mighty Lords the States General assist him 
in maintaining the same so that no private traders abuse the 
said river, go forth and sail against his will and intent into his own 
colony, where according to the sixth article the right of high, mid- 
dle and low jurisdiction is vested in him, trade contrary to his will 
and intent with his subjects, even with those who are tenants of 
his lands and his houses and who hire his cattle and, without set- 
tling their accounts, much less restoring the goods entrusted to 
them, occupy his estate. Such traders furnish them, in the first 
place, with wine and spirits which is bought 88 there in extravagant 
quantities at very high prices, not only by the farmers but even by 
the farm laborers and others, for which they can not pay if they 
treat their master justly but for the payment of which they steal, 
and almost completely rob him of, his undivided wheat and thereby 
render themselves incapable of settling their accounts and restoring 
the property entrusted to them ; secondly they ruin the whole trade 
in furs as well for the West India Company as for him, the pa- 
troon, by raising the price of the said furs, the larger part of the 
profits going to the savages and the small remaining portion to the 
private traders, so that nothing is left for the patroon who is under 
heavy expenses in supporting officers, a minister of the Gospel 



88 The Dutch text has verkocht, literally, sold. 



684 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and other councilors; the profits of his commis (who has to feed 
the savages and provide also for those who assist him faithfully) 
do not exceed those of the least farm hand or even the private 
and foreign traders themselves, notwithstanding no one in his colony 
is allowed, under the oath taken, to trade any furs except with the 
permission and the consent of their lord and master. For all of 
which reasons he, the saiJ patroon, is compelled, for the mainte- 
nance of his colony and his right, to resort to different methods, 
and has been unable to discover any better means than the peopling 
of the above-named island and the granting of the carrying trade 
and staple right to its inhabitants, for which he has appointed Nico- 
laes Coren as commander and commis?® over the same and Ian 
Dircksz van Bremen as skipper of the vessel with orders to unload 
there all goods belonging to himself, to his inhabitants, or to any 
freemen — intended to be sold to his people — and to ship all the 
said goods in his vessels thereto and not further, up or down the 
river; enjoining all those whom it may concern, subject to him and 
within his colony or under his command (with reference to the 
river), that they must govern themselves accordingly and in case of 
opposition must expect both loss and dishonor. Further he pro- 
hibits the sale of wine or spirits to his people in conformity with 
the ordinance previously issued. He permits any one whomsoever 
to transport in his said vessels any goods on proper payment of 
freight charges, with the exception of the said wines, for which a 
special license must be obtained, and to ship the said goods to 
Rensselaer-steyn and unload them for the purpose of selling them 
there, subject to the following regulations : 

I -That no one shall be allowed to transport goods higher up in 
the colony. 

II Also, that as long as the commisen of the colony have any 
goods for sale on behalf of the patroon, all other goods of the same 
kind must be kept back till the first named have been sold. 

III Also, to deal with no one who has an open account (more 
than one year old) outstanding, much less with those who have 
failed to restore what was entrusted to them. 

Further, that they are not allowed to accept in exchange any 
wheat on which the patroon has any claim growing out of his tithes, 
his third part or his half, or his right of preemption until the pa- 
troon or his commissioners have waived the said right of preemp- 
tion. 



89 Wachtmeester ende Commis. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 685 

With reference to the skins of beavers and others, inasmuch as 
none are permitted to trade in the same without his especial con- 
sent, he is provisionally willing that such of the inhabitants as have 
obtained from him the right to trade shall barter or sell the said 
skins to the free traders residing on Rensselaer s-steyn, but not in 
the colony, on turning over to him in advance the number of skins 
stipulated by contract or paying him his half share of the profits ; 
all others being excluded. 

And inasmuch as the aforesaid articles impose many restrictions 
on the traders, it were better if the free traders coming from down 
the river exchanged their goods with the commisen of the patroon 
for furs or wheat and the said commisen in turn exchanged the 
same, partly with the savages for skins and partly with the inhabit- 
ants of the colony for skins and wheat, fixing the prices so judi- 
ciously that the patroon on his part and the traders on theirs, as 
well as the inhabitants of the colony, may each get a share in the 
profits, which by this means may be easily accomplished, as the 
only sufferers will be the savages, who now by the exorbitant prices 
offered them get what virtually belongs to the patroon, while on 
the other hand this will serve to restore the fur trade to a flourish- 
ing state. And in order that each and every one may be duly in- 
formed as to the contents hereof, the commander and commis of 
Rensselaer s-steyn, Nicolaes Coren, is directed to request the di- 
rector, Will em Kieft, to bring the same to the attention of the free- 
men residing on or near the Manhatans, either by proclamation, by 
posting of placards or by service of formal notice. And in testi- 
mony of the truth, the patroon has signed these presents with his 
own hand and sealed them with the seal of the colony, in Amster- 
dam, this 2d of September 1643. 

Amsterdam, printed by Theunis Jacobsz. in the History of 
Josephus. 



686 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck 90 

September 5, 1643 

Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 

Though the patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, in found- 
ing said colony, has had an eye to the enjoyment of the products 
of the country and of his labor and to the profits of his invest- 
ments, he has nevertheless also had in especial view, by means of 
settling the country and the practice of godliness, to have the Chris- 
tian Reformed religion proclaimed there in order that the blind 
heathen also might be brought to the knowledge of our Savior 
Jesus Christ, and has now already for many years past sent over 
many people, officers and goods, together with a godly and learned 
minister in the hope that by the exercise of justice and order as 
well as by teaching and admonition, he might attain his aim and 
object. It is therefore to the deepest grief of his heart that he has 
learned that the contrary is the case, namely that things there are 
in such a state that hardly any semblance of godliness or righteous- 
ness is to be found. As to godliness, whereas the word of God 
ought to have softened and opened their hearts to accept not only 
all consolations and admonitions but also all reproaches for their 
sins and to govern themselves accordingly, there are many who, 
having become hardened and calloused, absent or hide themselves 
so as not to hear the word of God ; as to the righteousness, which 
consists in keeping the commandments of the Lord and in the 
humble obedience to their lord and master as regards fulfilling their 
oaths and promises, executing their contracts and settling and pay- 
ing their debts, all of these duties the majority of the people 
scarcely think of, much less observe, the reason for which, as far 
as the patroon can discover, must be ascribed to the following cir- 
cumstances : 

First, to comfort and abundance, neither of which the majority 
of the colonists were accustomed to in the fatherland as they saile 1 



60 V. R. Mss 63, entitled: Redrcs/Van de/Abuysen ende Faultcn in de/Colonic van 
Rensselaers-wyck / t' Amsterdam / Gcdruckt by Thunis lacobss, Woonende/ in dc IVolve- 
straet, in dc Historic ran Josephus, Anno 1643. Pamphlet 20Xi5%cm; 
17x11% cm; title page+14 pages text. Signatures A and B; 2d and 3d rectos of 
signature A marked A2, A3; ist, 2d and 3d rectos of signature B marked B, V.2, B3. 
This document was prepared by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to remedy many of the evils 
complained of in his letter to Arent van Curler of March 16, 1643, for which see 
p. 658-68. 



RED RES 

Van de 

&bttpfen enfie jfaulten ttt fce 

Coloiiie ban BenflWae^toijck 




AMSTERDAM, 



<5eD?uchtbp Thunis iacobfz, l^oonendetn bell^olbc- 
ftmtjin to ^tftojie Dan 3iofepf)u$/ Anno 1 6 43 . 

Title-page of Rcdrcs Van dc Abuysen aide Faultcn in dc Colonic van 



Rensselaers-wijck 

From V. R. B. Mss 63. Original size 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 687 

in a state of want and poverty, but which they acquired by reason 
of the favorable conditions offered by the patroon, who credited 
them with their passage, advanced them money, furnished them 
free houses, live stock and fertile lands, provided them with serv- 
ants, necessaries, yes, practically with everything they could think 
of, wine and spirits excepted, that their situation and occupation 
did not afford. 

Secondly, to extravagance, in using that which is not proper for 
them, not being satisfied with the ordinary drinks of farmers, nor 
with beer, but the majority of them, even to farm laborers and 
others, using to excess wines, brandies and other strong liquors, 
and at such exorbitant prices that they find it impossible to pay for 
them without robbing their lord and master, as the quantity of 
wheat which they have exported without declaration proves suffi- 
ciently. 

Thirdly, to licentiousness and zvantonncss, (advantage being 
taken of the youth of the commis of the colony), which the prin- 
cipal inhabitants have themselves under personal guaranty par- 
ticularly undertaken to prevent in order under this disguise more 
effectually to play their part and impose upon his youth. 

Fourthly, to unfaithfulness, not only disregarding the ordinances 
and regulations of the patroon to which they have voluntarily sub- 
jected themselves, but directly violating and abusing the same, tak- 
ing all they can get on credit, and never paying as the unpaid ac- 
counts show. 

Fifthly, to covetousness, which they show in the execution of 
their contracts, interpreting the same to suit their own will and 
pleasure — a privilege which does not belong to them but to the 
patroon only — accepting whatever suits or profits them and reject- 
ing what does not satisfy their cupidity, not being content that the 
patroon provided them at the outset with houses and the necessary 
requisites without charge, in order later to reap the benefit thereof, 
but involving him constantly in new expenditures without ever ren- 
dering account, much less settling the same, yes, what is worse, 
remaining on their farms after the expiration of the leases, with- 
out getting new ones, as if these farms were their own property. 

Sixthly, to persuasion, on the part of other freemen coming up 
the river, who make them forget their bounden duty and the fidelity 
which they owe their patroon, all of which being duly considered 
will go to prove that there are greater and worse sins among those 
Who profess to be Christians than among the heathen themselves. 

To which must be added the trade in furs, which no one is 



688 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

allowed to carry on without special consent from his lord and 
master and from which the patroon has nothing but a very little in 
the way of his half of the profits, which they are also bound to 
make good at the liquidation of their accounts. 

And before the patroon speaks of the remedy, he desires to point 
out to the inhabitants that these heinous sins and this unrighteous- 
ness cry for vengeance to the Lord God, who has already punished 
and chastised them in a noteworthy and exemplary manner with 
injurious and destructive floods, which in former years never 
occurred and now within a few years have taken place often; fear- 
ing also that God's visitations might still further add to their de- 
struction through extermination by the sword of the heathen whom 
many through avarice have but too liberally provided with the 
weapons for such an attack, the patroon has been unable to think 
of any other or better means of protecting the pious and of punish- 
ing the wicked than by erecting at his own great expense a suitable 
place of security and refuge for his people in times of danger which 
shall also serve as a check on the malevolent, for which refuge 
has been chosen Beeren Island, now called by him Rensselaers- 
steyn, to be peopled and settled in accordance with the conditions 
agreed upon with the inhabitants and the privileges granted them, 
with orders and instructions to leave them in the quiet and peace- 
ful enjoyment of the same, without attempting anything to the 
contrary on pain of being arraigned for rebellion and mutiny. 

In order now to remedy as much as possible the aforesaid abuses 
so that the patroon may some day enter into the right use. arrears 
and returns of his lands and his half profit on the furs, in the first 
place all farmers must first pay the just tenth of all crops of this 
season, without composition of any kind. 

Then, those whose contracts so provide must pay the patroon's 
third, while those on the half share plan, after deducting the above 
tenth, must divide the remaining nine tenths into three equal parts, 
one third to go to the patroon and two thirds toward the wages of 
the farm hands and the profits of the farmers, and settle accounts 
accordingly ; warning being hereby given to all farmers on the half 
share system whose lease expires that they will have to accept the 
terms of Andries de Vos and Cornells van Ncs and of Cornells 
Zcgcrscn who sails by this ship, 908 or else leave the colony, it being 
the intention of the patroon that the wages of the farm hands be 
defrayed out of the produce directly after deduction for the tithe 
has been made and that the same shall not be charged to the 
patroon. 

'•'"" 1 1 c-t Wapen van Rensselaerswyck. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 689 

Concerning the wheat which may remain as a surplus in the 
colony, this shall be delivered to the patroon in accordance with the 
right of preemption at six guilders per mudde, the balance of what 
is due to those who have settled their accounts to be paid in goods 
or other products (skins excepted) at 50$ net advance over the 
purchase price, instead of 100$ or two to one, which the merchan- 
dise costs the patroon, but in consideration of the price of six 
guilders now counted at 50$, as above. As regards the farmers 
who have not settled their accounts, they must have patience till the 
same are settled provisionally by the commis, Arent van Corler, 
everything however being subject to the approval and closer inves- 
tigation of the patroon, as he does not intend to have the final 
settlement of accounts take place over there but here at this place 
where the contracts were drawn up and the acquittal must be 
granted, though the liquidation by the commis shall provisionally 
have effect till further investigation, and inasmuch as the needs of 
the colony may perhaps not reach the amount to be paid for the 
wheat, since the patroon contemplates sending a goodly quantity 
of the same to Virginia by this ship, Supercargo Pieter Wijnkoop 
shall be at liberty to place the price of his goods at 100^ above the 
purchase price and of the wheat at eight guilders the mudde or at 
50$ and the wheat at six guilders, which are the prices of Commis 
Arent van Corler, and dispose of the same in behalf of the partici- 
pants in the equipment of said ship and in case any farmer should 
refuse to deliver the said wheat he shall actually be brought to 
Rensselaers-steyn to remain there till he has settled his account and 
delivered his wheat there, the patroon being unwilling to depend 
any longer on the ill will of the peasants, said farmers being also 
required to render accounts of one half of the profits on the beaver 
skins. 

On the first of January 1644 next ensuing, or on the arrival of 
this ship in the colony, all books and accounts in the entire colony 
shall be closed, new books to be used thereafter and the old dis- 
used. 91 

And, to begin with those who are at the head, Commis Arent 
van Corler shall without delay make out his own accounts and 
deliver them into the hands of Pieter Wijnkoop, who will look 
them over and then bring them home with him and hand them to 
me for further examination. 



M A few accounts among the Rensselaerswyck Mss are closed in July 1644, but the 
majority in August and September 1644. 

44 



69O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Thereupon Arent van Corler shall make an accurate list and in- 
ventory of all merchandise and wares previously received that re- 
main in his charge, as well as of all the skins, seawan, goods sent 
away or remaining in the charge of others and of all the property 
belonging to the patroon, and continue the same from day to day, 
without fail, noting clown everything in proper form in a book and 
not on scraps of paper; [noting] also his expenditures, transactions 
and matters connected with them, without fail, on pain of losing 
his office and incurring the extreme displeasure of his patroon, who 
hereby warns him for the last time. 

Concerning the goods formerly received by Arent and those 
which are now sent to the colony by the ship, he shall distinguish 
according to the blank between goods used for the fur trade and 
goods needed by the people. Of the goods employed in the fur 
trade Arent van Corler shall be commis and have the administra- 
tion, and the skins which he shall receive in exchange he shall turn 
over to no one else under any circumstances, but forward them 
hither. Thereafter he shall specify which goods are suitable for 
the people in the colony to be exchanged against wheat, without 
lending, but merchandise against merchandise. Of these goods 
Anthoni de Hooges shall be commis and have the administration, 
though he must submit his accounts to Arent van Corler. 

As regards the daily wages or pay of the laborers, separate ac- 
counts shall be kept by Anthoni de Hooges, satisfaction to be given 
either in goods not used in the fur trade or in wheat or otherwise. 

Officer Adriaen vander Donck shall also promptly render ac- 
counts to Arent van Corler. 

As for the farmers whose accounts have not been settled, they 
must liquidate the same at once on pain of forfeiture of the remain- 
ing years of their lease, the latter to be given to the foreman or 
other competent person in the colony when the time for settling the 
first year's accounts shall have arrived, everything, both at the 
time of leaving and of reoccupying the farm, to be duly inven- 
toried without concealment, it being the patroon's intention to 
leave no one in possession whose account shall remain unsettled 
for longer than one year and in case any one should object to this 
measure the same shall be forcibly ejected by the commander, 
Nicolaes Coorn. 

In the same manner shall actually he removed from their farms 
all those whose terms of lease shall have expired and who have 
obtained no new leases from the patroon and this also without 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 69I 

connivance, for otherwise the patroon is not master of his own prop- 
erty, and if, in spite of this, any one should still stay on his farm 
without lease the same shall not be allowed to reap any profits 
from his labor, said action constituting a form of violence. Those 
whose leases expire and who are ready to accept the condition of 
one. third, before mentioned, must give the patroon timely notice 
thereof, while all freemen whose lease is up and who have not set- 
tled their accounts or obtained a new contract must actually be made 
to leave, or otherwise reap no profits from their land, such as 
Willem Juriaensen backer, whose term has long since run out and 
whom the patroon deems unfit to remain any longer in the colony, 
and who after liquidation of his accounts shall be discharged and 
removed from the colony, inasmuch as he has neither made nor 
obtained a new contract with or from the patroon. 

Symon Walichsen is to be definitely notified that he must leave 
his farm at the expiration of his term, as the patroon has had no 
gain but great loss through him and that he must liquidate and 
settle his accounts, the patroon not wishing to continue him in ser- 
vice any longer. 

Albert Andriesen, whose term has also long ago expired without 
his having made or obtained a new lease or contract, shall never- 
theless be continued for the present but shall not own any live 
stock otherwise than according to the general rule of one half of 
the increase belonging to the patroon and of the right of preemp- 
tion and, in case he does not accept this, his cattle shall immediately 
be sent back to the place whence they came, with this understanding 
however that half of the increase bred in the colony shall go to the 
patroon in consideration of the pasturage and hay which they have 
used ; and as to his accounts he shall also be obliged to close, liqui- 
date and settle the same; and as far as the conditions after the 
expiration of his lease are concerned, the patroon adopts for him as 
well as for all others this fixed rule, of which they must all be 
notified and if they do not wish to continue under it must immedi- 
ately leave the colony, namely, that every freeman who has a house 
and garden of his own shall pay an annual rent or five stivers per 
Rhineland rod and for land used in raising tobacco, wheat or other 
fruits 20 guilders per Rhineland morgen, newly cleared land to be 
free for a number of years, more or less, according to the amount 
of labor required in such clearing, said number of years to be fixed 
by agreement with the patroon's commissioners; all of which stipu- 
lations tend in no wise to impair but confirm the right of levying 



692 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

tithes, and by this means the patroon shall know what his revenue 
will be and they on their part shall know what they are entitled to, 
the right of preempting grain being also reserved; and as to the 
trade in furs, this is generally forbidden, being reserved for such 
as have obtained a license from the patroon on condition that they 
pay promptly what has been stipulated and not otherwise. 

Officer van der Donck shall diligently inquire respecting those 
who have formerly exported wheat and other goods, as well as 
furs, out of the colony without entering the same and to this end 
he shall with the consent of the patroon's commissioners or any 
two of them order all servants and others who may have had knowl- 
edge of the facts to be examined regarding such persons as appear 
in any way implicated, the patroon having been specially advised 
that Cornelius Theunissen van Breuckelen has often done the same, 
wherefore his former and present servants must be examined under 
oath, it being the patroon's firm intention to renew and reassert his 
smothered rights against those who imagine them already forgotten 
and no longer to permit the license practised by certain farmers, 
who hold great banquets served with an abundance of wines and 
meanwhile do not close their accounts, consequently, use what be- 
longs to the patroon, as no man, no matter who he is, can have any 
property of his own as long as he has not rendered proper accounts 
and returns, not according to his avarice but to justice. 

Moreover, the money which Pieter Corn diss and Cornells 
Theunisz owe the patroon under the name of Dirrick Corssen and 
withhold under pretext of their note of hand (notwithstanding they 
know full well that it was the patroon's property), if they refuse 
to hand it over to him willingly under his promise of indemnifica- 
tion, the officer shall force them to deposit with the court, and he 
shall especially prosecute Cornells Theunisz, who was not allowed to 
trade in furs, in such manner as shall lead to the confiscation of 
these. 

Coming to the question of the wages of those laborers who have 
served the individual farmers and who were engaged here by the 
patroon, if they are not paid yearly by said farmers, the said wages 
shall be made good separately in the annual account to the patroon 
in wheat or skins or seawan, so that the farm hands may know 
definitely where they are finally to seek their payment, which ought 
to be with the farmers unless the same have turned it over sep- 
arately to the patroon, of which the farm hands must be notified 
in order to govern themselves accordingly, as otherwise in coming 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 693 

here they could obtain no satisfaction, for if the amount were 
charged to the accounts of the farmers it would not be paid till the 
whole account had been cleared and settled. 

Concerning the newcomers in the colony, they must be supplied 
with wheat for seed and domestic use, as well as with other articles 
stipulated by contract, and those who are industrious and faithful 
be assisted, care being taken to ascertain at the annual settlements 
who is the least in debt and who has accumulated the largest store 
of produce, in order to see whether the patroon can be sufficiently 
certain of ultimate restitution, but no further loans are to be 
made to those who have been three years in the colony, unless, 
at the settlement of accounts which is to take place every year in 
January, it is found that there is a good supply of wheat in the 
barn on which a further small credit could be allowed, provided 
that the wheat immediately after it is thrashed be delivered to the 
patroon to pay for his share. 

With regard to the tithes, the same shall no longer be com- 
muted but lawfully collected, unless the commissioners deem it 
advisable to sell the same publicly to the highest bidder, either 
for cash or on short-time payment, when the wheat might be 
thrashed and the buyer pay therewith, the wheat to remain as the 
patroon's security, with this understanding that a farmer may 
not be the buyer of his own tithe but one farmer may buy the 
tithe of the crop on another man's land; and in case it shall seem 
better for the patroon to have his own hay barracks or barns built 
in which to thrash, the two carpenters who go over now may 
be employed on this work and a strong fellow added to assist 
them, care being taken to have the barracks and barns strongly 
built and erected in the most convenient places where many farms 
are found close together and to put in them the crops of at least 
three farms, as the expense would otherwise be too great, also 
to look out for the third part, which the patroon has reserved for 
himself. 

And inasmuch as wine and spirits are the cause of God's wrath, 
of the patroon's loss and of all evils, no one whose account is 
open and unpaid shall be allowed to have the same till he has 
discharged his debt, unless the commissioners and councilors 
think fit to make a small allowance for each family as occasion 
requires, for which a license must be given them, as otherwise 
without showing such license to the commander the wine would 
not be permitted to pass Rensselaers Steyn; with regard to those 



694 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

whose accounts are settled and who owe the patroon nothing, 
in order that they may not pass their lives in drunkenness and dis- 
sipation, it is the patroon's desire that the commissioners and 
councilors allow each family, according to its station, so much wine 
or good beer as will suffice them for all honest purposes and not 
lead to drunkenness, on which heavy fines shall be imposed and 
proceeds thereof go to the same objects as those of other fines 
and one third to the officer, but if the officer himself be found 
guilty of drunkenness, he shall pay a double fine to the behoof of 
the commander at Renssclacrs-stcyn; and all of the persons living 
there, from the humblest to the highest, shall be subject to the 
same restriction. 

Coming now to the unchastity with heathen women and girls, 
whoever is found to have intercourse with them shall pay the 
first time a fine of 25 guilders,, if the woman becomes pregnant 
50 guilders and if she gives birth 100 guilders, leaving it to the 
discretion of the minister and the consistory to decide what the 
obligations of the offender are with regard to the baptism of such 
children; and if he continues to have illicit intercourse a yearly 
fine of 50 guilders and according to circumstances banishment from 
the colony, one third of which fines shall go to the officer, another 
third to the commander at Rensselaer s-Steyn and the remaining 
third to the patroon for the benefit of the building of the church. 
All those adults or youth who do not attend Divine service at 
least once a week, unless prevented from so doing by sickness 
or other important cause, shall forfeit for the use of the church 
now in course of erection, the men each week . . . . 92 stivers, the 
women .... stivers, the servants .... stivers, and since the people 
are quite widely dispersed the minister shall devise the best means 
[of reaching all], the patroon wishing to suggest to him whether 
it would not be well to preach occasionally at Rensselaers-Steyn 
in order to be nearer the people who live in that quarter, or else 
on some week day to offer them more opportunity and less excuse; 
another thing that must be taken into consideration is that of 
the families who live farthest off, members can only attend in 
turn so as not to leave the houses entirely without supervision, 
consequently that husband and wife shall only count in the fines 
for one if both stay away; but in other cases if either the hus- 
band alone or the wife alone stays away, each to pay his share; 
and may God grant that they have to pay few fines, as this will 



M Left blank in the original. , 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 695 

tend to their salvation, there being greater reason than ever for 
leading a godly life in such distant countries. 

As the patroon intends to send a large quantity of wheat to 
Virginia by this ship, it is necessary to take along as much well 
ground meal as the mill can grind and to this end instructions 
have also been given to Supercargo Pieter IVijncoop to treat with 
the inhabitants of the colony regarding this matter in accordance 
with the above stipulations. 

Since Andries de Vos and Cornells van Nes have each written 
for two servants, the four men from Hilversum 92 * will be allowed 
them, but as one is a shoemaker and another understands wagon 
making, the shoemaker, if he wishes to be free and to repay the 
patroon for his advance and expenses, shall be permitted to earn 
something toward this by making shoes, which he could well do 
at the house of van Nes while assisting him at other times on the 
farm ; likewise the wheelwright at the house of de Vos and, since 
Lubbert Ghijsbertsen the wheelwright lives near there, this servant 
could help both the said Lubbert and de Vos, the latter to reach 
some agreement with each other in regard to the matter, but if 
Lubbert should not want this, the young wheelwright may come 
to some understanding with de Vos as to what he shall earn with 
the tools which he takes with him at the expense of the patroon, 
and shall at the same time assist him on the farm, for some means 
must be found whereby the patroon shall be repaid for his dis- 
bursement for the tools together with the advance of ioof on the 
same. 

As the patroon is in every way inclined to benefit the inhabitants 
of his colony, he would have sent a great many more supplies than 
he did, but seeing that everything he sent was charged year after 
year on accounts without end and that no payments were made, 
while on the other hand all goods furnished by private individuals, 
especially wines, were promptly paid for, and that the patroon 
misses therefore both his returns and his goods, he has been unable 
to do more, no matter how much he would have liked to; but he 
assures the people hereby that if they will duly pay him and render 
prompt returns and if he shall receive satisfactory profits from 
the colony, he will in the future take more pains and send suffi- 
cient supplies in anticipation of prompt payment, either in skins 
or in wheat, and shall expect to that end an annual list showing 



02a Probably Jacob Lambertsz van Dorlandt (Gojer), shoemaker, Jacob Adriaensz, 
wheelwright, Claes Andriesz van Hilversum and Dirck Hendricksz van Hilversum. 



696 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the kinds and quantities of things needed in the colony with indi- 
cation of the sort of payment and statements regarding the furs 
to be delivered to his co minis upon conditions minutely described 
above. 

All persons who leave the colony and possess any houses or 
property there may sell the same to whomsoever they please at 
their own price, but shall in no wise force the same upon the 
patroon, at an appraised valuation, as such valuation is derogatory 
to the rights of the patroon, who reserves unto himself in case 
of sale the right, which b3longs to him, of preemption at his pleas- 
ure, in which respect his commissioners have not well watched 
his interests, as such property must be sold at public auction and 
the price honestly made known to him or his commissioners, who 
are then at liberty to accept or to refuse the same, but under no 
circumstances must the present commis or his successors accept 
such property in discount of the person's debt, except what he 
or they seize directly in the patroon's name or is of no importance 
or consequence, and this may serve as a warning for the future, 
as they will be obliged, in case of refusal by the patroon, to keep 
things for themselves and therefore should be careful as to what 
they do seize. 

Coming now to the conclusion, inasmuch as the patroon is not 
able to remedy everything at once, he refers for other matters to 
his commissioners (reserving the final approbation to himself as 
he has always done, still does and will do in the future) ; it being 
understood that he has never given, nor gives, nor will give in 
the future, any unlimited power to his commissioners, his councilors 
or anybody else, but on the contrary well defined authority to 
supplement provisionally such regulations as may here be wanting, 
all to his service and profit according to their discretion and to 
justice. 

In like manner the patroon reserves to himself the right of in- 
terpretation, extension, decrease, increase or alteration of anything 
herein written, allowing on the one side as well as on the other 
all reasonable complaints or grievances of those who may feel 
themselves hereby unjustly reproached either through lack of knowl- 
edge of the exact circumstances or owing to wrong information, 
without however in any way opening the door to unfounded or 
selfish claims, leaving and commanding every one, the commis-gen- 
erael, the commissioners, the officer, the commander, the respective 
commisen in the colony and on Rcnssclaers-Steyn, as well as the 



Infinuatic, Proteftatie, ende Prefentatie van wegheil 

den Patroonvan de Colonic van Renirelacrs-wijck. 



Ck Nicolacs Coorn.Wacht-mccfter opRentTelacrs-Steyn 

ende vail nreghcn den E.Hecrc Kiluatviut Xc»jfcU-r,at*kr Jc Hooghc turifilictit 




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Notice to l)e served on private traders who sail into the colony, Sept. 8, 
1643, I'.R.B.Mss 64. About 2/5 of original size 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWTER MANUSCRIPTS 697 

councilors and others, and every one whom it may concern, each 
one in his respective sphere of duties, collectively or individually, 
to govern themselves accordingly, under the penalties and fines 
herein provided or to be provided hereafter. In testimony of the 
truth of which the patroon has signed these with his own hand and 
affixed the seal of the colony. At Amsterdam, this fifth of Sep- 
tember 1643. Below was written: Kiliaen van Rensselaer, patroon 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 

Notice to be served on private traders who contrary to the 
patroon's orders sail into the colony 93 

September 8, 1643 

Notice, Protest and Permission on behalf of the patroon of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck 

I, Nicolaes Coorn, commander of Rensselaers-Steyn, on behalf 
of the honorable Kiliaen van Rensselaer, hereditary commander of 
the colonies on this North River of New Netherland under the 
high jurisdiction of the High and Mighty Lords the States General 
of the United Netherlands and of the Chartered West India Com- 
pany, and as his vice commander in his stead, give you 

notice that you shall not presume to abuse the said river to the 
injury of the right acquired by the aforesaid gentleman in his 
capacity as patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, the first and 
oldest on this river. 

Which right he obtained as early as the 19th of November 1629, 
pursuant to the Freedoms an 1 Exemptions granted by the Assem- 
bly of the XIX of the Chartered West India Company, by article 
5 of which it is promised that care shall always be taken that the 
first occupants (in this case the patroon) shall not be prejudiced 
in the rights which they obtained. 

Which by the aforesaid High and Mighty Lords the States Gen- 
eral was further confirmed and extended by letters patent of their 
High Mightinesses granted to him and his heirs, forever, on the 
5th of February 1641. 

And whereas he declares that he is greatly injured : 

First, in that you navigate this river without his knowledge and 
have come thus far against his will. 



** V. R. B. Mss 64, entitled: Insinuatie, Protestatie, ende Presentatie van weghen den 
Patroon van de Colonie van Rensselaers-wijck. Broadside 41.3x33 cm; letterpress 31.4x22 
cm. Translation revised from O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:466-67. 



698 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Secondly, in that you try to draw away and to allure to your- 
self and if possible to divert, to his injury, the nations who for 
many years have been accustomed to trade either at Fort Orange 
with the commix of the Company or privately with his commis; or 
to show to the said nations other and secret trading places, greatly 
to the injury of the West India Company and the patroon. 

Thirdly, in that you spoil the fur trade (by driving up the price 
and bidding even against the commis of the Company at Fort 
Orange as well as against the commis of the patroon) and that you 
who are satisfied as long as you get some booty out of it do not 
ask whether the trade is being so spoiled that the patroon may 
thereby become unable to meet the expenses of his colony or not, 
which is a great injury to him, the patroon. 

Fourthly, in that you seek to debauch his own inhabitants and 
subjects and to incite them against their lord and master, furnish- 
ing them among other things with wine and spirits and selling 
these to them at usurious and high prices, against his will ; caus- 
ing yourself to be paid in furs which they obtain by barter con- 
trary to his orders and their own promise, or in wheat which they 
purloin from their lord, of which they have rendered no account, 
of which the tithes have not lawfully been paid and of which the 
patroon has not even received his third or half share according 
to the contracts and of which he has not waived the right of pre- 
emption, obliging the patroon who provides his people with com- 
modities at little or no advance in price (considering his expenses) 
to charge these on account while you go off with the (yes, with 
his) cash, whereby he is rendered unable properly to provide nis 
people with everything because you so exhaust them and impoverish 
his colony, by which the patroon suffers great injury. There- 
fore, not being obliged to suffer any of these things from private 
individuals, he hereby causes notice to be served on you that you 
must entirely refrain therefrom and in the name aforesaid I de- 
clare, should you in defiance of law, contrary to this protest, pre- 
sume to attempt to pass by force, that I have orders to prevent you 
from doing so. Permission is granted you however, as expressed 
in the Warning 94 and more fully to be seen and read in the instruc- 
tions given by the patroon to Pieter Wijnkoop, as supercargo, and 
to Arcnt van Corlcr, as cotnmis-generael, under the restrictions of 
the regulations contained therein, to trade with his commisen, but 
in no wise with the Indians or with his private subjects them- 
selves. 



84 Warning, Prohibition and Permission, Sept. 2, 1643; see p. 682-85. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 699 

And in case you should use force, I am to declare to you that you 
will commit: 

First, Crime against the High and Mighty Lords the States 
General. 

Secondly, Crime against the West India Company and their 
governor. 

Thirdly, Crime against the patroon and his command 95 within 
whose jurisdiction you are at present against his will, forcing us to 
necessary resistance. 

Wherein I shall await what you will answer, do or not do, in 
order to govern myself accordingly, once more giving you full 
warning that you can have no grant (unless from the High and 
Mighty Lords the States General themselves) which can deprive 
him of this his right and that in case of loss you will have to in- 
demnify the patroon of everything. 

Which foregoing instrument, drawn up by the aforesaid patroon 
and commander, he hereby ratifies by signing it with his own 
hand and sealing it with the seal of the patroon and the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, this eighth of September 1643, in Amsterdam. 
Was signed : 

K ilia e n van Rensselaer. 

Extracts from instructions and commissions issued by Kiliaen 

van Rensselaer 96 

January 12, 1630 — September 8, 1643 

Clein Segel [signed] / bruijningh 

2St 

Extracts from the instructions and commissions prepared 
and issued by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as patroon of the colony 
named Rensselaerswyck situated on the North River of New 
Netherland, to the following officers and servants of the aforesaid 
colony, till the death of the sail patroon, comprising a period of 
about 14 years. 



°* Commandement ; referring to the patroon's command over other colonies on the 
river. 

•* V. R. B. Mss 36, marked H ijo. These extracts were prepared by Notary Joost 
van de Ven, Oct. 7, 1649, in connection with the controversy between the late patroon's 
copartners and the guardians of Johannes van Rensselaer. 



700 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

BASTIAEN JANSZ KROL 97 

January 12, 1630 

Laus Deo, the 12th of January 1630, in Amsterdam. 

Instructions from Kiliaen Van Rensselaer to Bastiaen jansz Crol, 
commis at Fort Orange, who if he sees fit may call to his assist- 
ance Dirck Cornelissen, 9S his onder-commis, and such other per- 
sons as he shall think best and advisable. 

First, Crol shall try to buy the lands hereafter named for the 
said rensselaer from the mahicans, maquaas or such other nations 
as have any claim to them, but treating them with all courtesy and 
discretion, etc. 

In witness that I have requested this of him, with promise of 
proper compensation for his trouble, I have signed this with my 
own hand. Done as above. ' 

Underneath was written : 

Kiliaen van Renselaer. 

WOLFERT GERRITSZ 99 

January 16, 1630 

Another 

Instructions from kiliaen van rensselaer to wulfert Gerritsz van 
Amersfoort, January 16, 1630, in Amsterdam. 

Wulfert Gerritsz aforesaid is engaged by rensselaer, his service 
to begin on his arrival in that country. He is bound for four 
summers, but rensselaer may end the contract after one or two 
summers, etc. 

What further may be necessary for the accomplishment of this 
task, wulfert gerritsz shall do according to circumstances and write 



97 The full instructions are found in the Letter Book; see p. 158-61. 

88 Dirck Cornelisz Duyster. Mr A. Bredius, in an article on Pieter Codde and Willem 
Duyster (Oud Holland, 1888, 6:187-94), cites the settlement of the estate, Oct. t, 1631, 
of Duyster's father, Cornelis Dircksz, in his lifetime messenger between Amsterdam 
and Hamburg. It appears from this document that Dirck Cornelisz Duyster was a 
half-brother of the landscape painter Willem Duyster and a brother in law of the painter 
Simon Kick.. June 19, 1635, Simon Kick is authorized to collect fi7o from a barber 
(surgeon) at Fort Orange, from which we may infer that Kick visited New Netherland. 
Dirck Cornelisz Duyster lived at that time in de dnystere werelt (" the dim world ", 
apparently a play on the family name) on Koning street, at Amsterdam. After the death 
of Willem Duyster, in January 1635, Dirck Cornelisz Duyster changed his will so as to 
constitute his sister. Lijsbeth Cornelis Duyster, his sole heir. Dirck Cornelisz Duyster 
was drowned off the English coast, on his return from Pernambuco, apparently shortly 
before October 1636; see p. 329 of this volume. 

89 The full instructions are found in the Letter Book; see p. 161—63. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 701 

me all particulars thereof and try to have the house built at the 
place of which I have written to Crol; other matters I leave to 
their discretion and wish them good luck on their voyage. Was 
signed : 

Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. 

RUTGER HENDRICKSZ VAN SOEST 1 

July 20, 1632 

Another. Copy of a copy. 

Instructions for Rutgert hendricksz van soest, officer, and his 
associated council 2 in Rensselaerswyck, sent him by kiliaen van 
rensselaer, patroon of the said colony, according to which, so far 
as they apply, he and the other inhabitants of the said place must 
faithfully and honestly govern, comport, conduct and acquit them- 
selves. 

First, rutger hendrix aforesaid, after taking the oath of fidelity 
and as officer aforesaid, shall present himself before and call on 
the commis of Fort Orange and offer him every favor, assistance 
and the usual tokens of friendship, in order that they may mutually 
aid one another not only with word and deed, but in time of 
danger with life and limb, against the common enemy ; he shall fur- 
ther entertain friendly relations, each respecting the other. 

Thus provisionally decreed and decided by me the underwritten, 
as patroon of Rensselaerswyck in New Netherland, this 20th of 
July 1632, in Amsterdam. 

Was signed: 

Kiliaen Van Renselaer. 

JACOB ALBERTSZ PLANCK 3 

\April 27, 1634 

Another 

Instructions prepared and issued by kiliaen van rensselaer, as 
patroon of his colony called Rensselaerswyck, for Jacob Albertsz 
Planck, in the capacity of officer of the aforesaid colony, accord- 
ing to which he must faithfully govern himself, this 25th of April 
1634, in Amsterdam. 

* The full instructions are found in the Letter Book; see p. 208-12. 

* sijn bijgevoegde raden. 

* The full instructions are found in the Letter Book; see p. 292—96. 



702 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

When he arrives on board ship he shall take care that the goods 
sent with him according to invoice herewith enclosed under letter 
E, be properly loaded, etc. 

These instructions, broken off on account of lack of time, shall 
be completed in my name by Director Wouter van tzviller. This 
27th of April 1634. Underneath was written: 

K. V. Rensselaer. 

PIETER CORNELISZ VAN MUNNICKENDAM 4 

October 2, 1636 

Instructions by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as patroon of his colony 
called Rensselaerswyck, according to which Pieter Comelissen van 
Munmckendatn, master millwright (or in his absence or on his 
demise, Claes jansz van Naerdcn) must govern himself, this 2d of 
October 1636, in Amsterdam. 

As soon as he goes on board he shall look over the accompanying 
list to see whether all the persons mentioned in it are on board, 
etc. 

Thus issued on the day and date as above and signed with my 
own hand. Underneath was written: 

Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. 

CORNELIS TEUNISZ VAN BREUCKELEN 5 

August 4, 1639 

Another 

Instructions for Cornells theunissen van breuckel, representative 
of the patroon and the participants of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, according to which among other things he must govern him- 
self in defending the rights of his lord and master. 

First, he shall take care and help to bring it about that means 
be found to pay the persons connected with the church and the 
government, etc. 

And in order that no one may doubt that what is above written 
is the will of his patroon, the said patroon has thought fit to seal 
these instructions with the seal of the colony and to sign the same, 
this 4th of August 1639, in Amsterdam. 



* The full instructions are not among the V. R. B. Mss. 

6 The full instructions are found in the Letter Book; see p. 459-63- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 703 



ADRIAEN VAN DER DONCK 6 

May 14, 1641 

Another 

Instructions issued by Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, as patroon of his 
colony called Rensselaerswyck, for Adriaen Comelissen vander 
donck, officer in the said colony, according to which he must faith- 
fully conduct himself. 

First of all, he shall promote the true and pure service of God, 
in conformity with the Christian Reformed religion as the same is 
publicly taught and maintained in the churches and schools of these 
United Provinces and, by the authority of the High and Mighty 
Lords the States General, more fully set forth and confirmed by the 
national synod held in the city of Dordrecht in the years 1618 and 
1619. 

Given at Amsterdam, on the 14th day of the month of May of 
the year 1641 ; signed by the lord patroon and sealed with his seal 
and that of the colony. 

ADRIAEN VAN DER DONCK 7 

May 13, 1 6 41 

Commission for Adriaen vander done, officer in the colony called 
Rensselaerswyck situated on the North River of New Netherland. 

Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, by purchase from the native owners and 
by the sovereign power of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands and by the 
Freedoms and Exemptions of the Chartered West India Company 
of the said Netherlands perpetual patroon and lord of his colony 
called Rensselaerswyck situated on the River Mauritius or North 
River of New Netherland, being the first colony on the said river, 
to all to whom it shall be necessary to show this present commission, 
grace and peace, eternal bliss and temporal welfare from God the 
Father in Jesus Christ his beloved Son, our only and perfect Savior, 
Amen, etc. 

•Given at Amsterdam and in witness thereof confirmed by the 
signature and the seal of the lord patroon and his aforesaid colony, 
on this 13th of May 1641. Underneath was written: 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer, patroon of the 

colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



• The full instructions are not among the V. R. B. Mss. 
1 The full commission is not among the V. R. B. Mss. 



704 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

ANTONY DE HOOGES 8 

July 17, 1641 

Another 

Instructions for Anthonie de Hooges, engaged as under book- 
keeper and assistant to Arunt van Coder, according to which he 
must faithfully conduct himself, this 17th of July 1641, in Ams- 
terdam. 

Going on board at the Texel, with God's help, he shall first of 
all see whether the people, who are to sail now for the colony, are 
on board ship, namely, etc. 

NICOLAES COORN AND JAN DIRCKSZ VAN BREMEN 9 

August 26, 1643 

Commission of Nicolaes Coorn and jan dircksz van breemen, com- 
mander of Beeren Island, otherwise called Renssclaers-steijn, situ- 
ated in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, on the North River of 
New Netherland. 

The patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, noticing with 
sorrow the great disturbances which have lately occured between 
the heathen and the Christians near the island of the manhatan 
and fearing that this might extend further, even to his colony, has 
on the occasion of the offer of certain persons to go thither as free- 
men (imitating to some extent the example of the Chartered West 
India Company with regard to the island of the manhatans) and 
also for the sake of having a suitable place of retreat for his people, 
etc. 

And in testimony of the truth, the patroon has sealed this instru- 
ment with the seal of the colony and signed it with his own hand 
and has ordered it to be registered in the secretary's office. In 
Amsterdam, this 26th of August 1643. 

Underneath was written : 

Kiliacn Van Rensselaer, patroon of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck. 



• The full instructions are not among the V. R. B. Mss. 
The full commission is V. R. B. Mss 27; see p. 680-82. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 705 

NOTICE TO BE SERVED O.-i PRIVATE TRADERS WHO SAIL INTO THE 

COLONY 1 ' 

September 8, 1643 

Notice, Protest and Permission on behalf of the patroon of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck 

I, Nicolaes Coorn, commander of rensselacrs steijn, on behalf of 
the honorable Kiliacn Van Rensselaer, hereditary commander of the 
colonies on this North River of New Netherland under the high 
jurisdiction of the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the 
United Netherlands and of the Chartered West India Company, and 
as his vice commander in his stead, let you, etc. 

Which foregoing instrument drawn up by the patroon and com- 
mander, he hereby approves by signing it with his own hand and 
sealing it with the seal of the patroon and the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, this 8th of September 1643, m Amsterdam. 

Was signed : 

Kiliacn Van Rensselaer. 

These eleven extracts are taken from the Letter Book 11 and the 
copies of the original instruments preserved in the house of Mr 
Kiliaen van Rcnselaer, deceased, and after collation are found to 
agree by me, notary public residing in Amsterdam ; in witness 
whereof, I have subscribed this with my notarial signature, VII 
October 1649. 

[signed] /: vande Ven 

nots Pub. 
vij. 
A . J 649. 

10. 



10 The original from which this extract is made is a broadside, V. R. B. Mss 64; 
see p. 697-99. 

11 copij boeck. 

45 



ill'] 


7 


f 80 


10 


f 13 




f3io 


16 


f 9 


15 


f 11 


10 


f 14 


4 



706 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Account of ammunition for Rensselaers Steyn 1 - 

September 10, 1643 

Account of ammunition for Rensselaers Steijn and the arsenal 13 
2 three-pounders, iron, of 1890 lb at 11 guilders [a 

100 lb], with their gun carriages, ladles and 

sponges 
1 cannon of 13 10 lb at 6 guilders 

1 gun carriage with its ironwork 

2 pieces of 3885 lb at 8 guilders a 100 lb 
8 gun carriage wheels and 15 tackle blocks 

100 lb musket balls 
20 balls of 5 lb and 20 balls of 6 lb 
Yi ream cartridge paper f6:io and 4 cartridge molds 

f4:i2 i 11 

2 cylindrical brushes, 2 cartridge sticks, 3 patterns, 

2 files f2 :8 
1 large chest to put the ammunition in 
1 drum with 6 skins, two sticks and accessories 
1 trumpet 



12 shackles with bolts and locks 
100 lb pig lead 
100 lb shot, with expenses 

300 lb powder, 200 coarse and 100 fine, with the kegs 
2 ball molds, 4 lead ladles, 1 cutting tool 
18 muskets with their shoulder belts f42 

5 firelocks f6o 

2 pistols fio 

18 spears fi6 / 

15 lb of match f 8 



f 5 


9 


f 4 


4 


f 22 


10 


f 7 




f 7 o 7 


gl4 


f. 12 




f 10 


15 


f 12 


11 8 


fl20 




f 13 


10 



fi36 4 



12 V. R. B. Mss 28. 

ia Wagenhuijs; evidently a mistake for Wapcnhuijs, arsenal, referred to in Groot 
tioeck, 1640-50, No. F, f.23, among the Renssclaerswyck Mss. 

14 Should be {707:7. 

15 Blank in original. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS JOJ 

i silver-plated sword for Coren 16 fi6 

16 broadswords with belts f43 4 

1 hand screw f 3 10 



f62 14 



f 62 14 
6 entrenching tools at fi :i2 stivers; 12 shovels and 

spades at 17 stivers; together f 19 16 



£1094 18 8 
[Endorsed] 

1643 :I ° 7 tD - 

Ammunition of Rensselaers steyn. 

Proper remedy against the abuse of outstanding accounts in the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck 17 

September 16, 1643 
Copy. 

N. B. No latitude to be given to the conscience or discretion of 
the farmers, but the law to be rigorously enforced. 
Here follow the instructions. 

1643, Sept. — Proper remedy against the abuse of outstanding ac- 
counts of the principal farmers as well as of others. 

As the Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of Rens- 
selaer szvyck, 18 issued by the patroon in printed form, refers to 
many irregularities and among these principally to the running up 
of unsettled accounts, special attention is here given to the form 
and manner in which said accounts must be drawn up. 

With reference hereto comes up the question: who are obliged 
and who are not oblige:! to make up these accounts. 

For the farmers or inhabitants of the colony to think that the 
co minis of the patroon must make these out for them, that is a mis- 
take. For he is by no means in the employ of private individuals. 
but in that of the patroon. His duty, therefore, is really to pass 

1(1 Nicolaes Coorn. 

17 This document does not form part of the Van Rensselaer Bowier collection but is 
recorded in a volume entitled Copije van eenige Aden en andere aenmerckelijke 
Notitien, 1643-48, p. 24-34, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. A translation appears 
in O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:442-47, but is so faulty as to be 
practically worthless; for this reason and because of the close connection of the 
document with the within mentioned "Redress" of Sept. 5, 1643, a new translation is 
here inserted. 

18 See p. 686-97. 



/08 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

provisionally, in the name of the patroon, upon all accounts in the 
colony and to look them over, adding thereon his advice and opinion 
and then to send them over to the patroon for his approval, criti- 
cism or rejection. 

Although he is accountable specially to the patroon, he is so far 
accountable to the inhabitants that he must deliver to them the 
accounts of such property (merchandise or other goods, which they 
receive from him) as is under his administration. But as regards 
the accounts [of property] under the management and direction of 
the farmers, and of all others who have administration of any prop- 
erty, belonging in whole or in part to the patroon or to him in com- 
pany with others, such must be rendered not by him to them, but 
by them to him. 

As it is just that each one should render account of his own 
acts, since an outsider can not-know what thereof is right or wrong, 
it necessarily follows as is customary throughout the world : — 

That all farmers or others who hold any of the patroon's prop- 
erty, must make out their own accounts, and deliver them to the 
patroon or his commis for examination. Should they say that they 
are not able to do this, then they ought not to have accepted or un- 
dertaken it, much less allow it to run on for several years, lest other- 
wise the inability or the loss to result therefrom, may fall on them, 
and they remain bound notwithstanding to render the account. 

It is not inability on their part but a perverse desire to defraud 
the patroon, and thereby to place him at crossroads ; 19 thinking that 
everything that they in this way can conceal from him shall remain 
concealed and that he will know nothing thereof. 

That it has been feasible for them [to render accounts] every year 
and still is so, shall appear. But that they design something else 
thereby, that shall also quickly come to light. 

Under the cloak of this simplicity, the following bad practices are 
concealed. 

I That they make themselves trustees of property which is under 
their administration and direction and for which they are account- 
able, without rendering any account. 

II That they may ruu up their outlays and expenses according to 
their [own] pleasure. 

III That they include in the expenses of the farm their own per- 
sonal expenses which they incur for clothing, furniture and unlaw- 
ful drink. 



18 En daermeede op eenen kruys wech te sctten. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 709 

IV That they can embezzle as much wheat and other produce as 
they please. 

All of which the patroon repudiates as inconsistent with right and 
conscience; the trouble is therefore not only with the manner in 
which the accounts are drawn but that the people thereby alter his 
contracts and their promises. 

They have made promises to him in accordance with the first ar- 
ticle of the contract of Gerrit dc Reux, deceased, whereto all con- 
tracts refer, until the arrival of the farmers from Breda. Of this 
contract of the late Gerrit de Reux, which they well knew how to 
cite with keeness and impertinence, as regards the preemption of 
the grain, they stated that copies were in that country ; to these 
copies, as well as to the original remaining in his hands, the patroon 
appeals. And it will be found in the beginning thereof, that they 
are bound under oath, on pain of losing their wages and effects, that 
neither they nor their people will trade in any forbidden peltries of 
otters or beavers, nor obtain any such as presents or otherwise, with- 
out the express consent of the patroon. 

So that all such as have done so have forfeited their effects, un- 
less they have subsequently obtained the consent of the patroon ; 
proving which to him, he will confirm the same provided they ful- 
fil the conditions on which he granted it to them : 

Namely, half the profits each time they trade and barter. They 
must therefore render upright account and declaration of what they 
have gained thereby, and credit him with his half. If they now say 
that they can not render such account, the patroon insists, according 
to their contract, on the confiscation of their effects, giving them the 
choice between one and the other ; and that continuously from year 
to year ; and this is the first point. 

Coming now to the other points of their contracts, they turn these 
around completely. 

Brant Pcelen and Cornells van Breuckel are for themselves per- 
sonally bound to render an account for the goods brought by de 
Calmer Sleutel and het Waepen van Noonvegen, among which were 
divers goods which they traded for beavers, whereof Arcndt van 
Curler writes that not 12 pelts have come into his hands. They re- 
main, besides, bound and accountable as security for Arendt van 
Curler, whom the patroon sent over only as assistant and they put 
up as commis under their bond, as appears by their own hand. 

Further, they misinterpret all these following points. Their con- 
tracts read that they must defray out of the common produce ami 
profits : 



"/lO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

I The wages of their men and boys. 

II Next, their board. 

III Next, their own expenses, as regards board on the farm, their 
contract speaking in no way of drink but simply of wages and 
board ; as far as drink is concerned, they must content themselves 
like other farmers with milk and ordinary beer, but during the har- 
vest, as an exception, good beer, and for the rest with what the 
river affords. 

IV That they have undertaken to pay, out of the general produce, 
all wear of wagons, ploughs ; in fine, all damages and losses. 

All of which most of them fail to pay, leaving not only the wages 
of the servants to fall on the patroon, who with trouble has obtained 
these for them, but even taking on credit, without paying any 
money, such merchandise as the commis, Arcndt van Curler, has de- 
livered to them. 

From which it appears clearly, that over and above all their de- 
bauches in wine and strong drink, every one would fain claim and 
has much to demand in settling accounts, and the patroon who in 
the first place supplied their equipment, their requirements of dwel- 
lings, cattle, wagons and plows and their needs of stockings and 
shoes, linens and woolens, as the invoices sent by him can prove, 
would still, instead of the returns from his goods and profits from 
the farms, have to pay large sums, which he never intends to do. 
He forbids his commis to settle any accounts of masters or serv- 
ants until the masters shall first have made out and paid the ac- 
counts of their servants, and so from year to year, and shall then 
have drawn up their own accounts in the following manner (charg- 
ing him, the commis, not to meddle in any one else's affairs nor to 
make up any accounts except of what he has [in charge] . but to de- 
mand in the name of the patroon that all outstanding accounts set- 
tled in the following manner by the farmers and other persons who 
are to render accounts) : 

Firstly, those who hold the land on half shares shall make up their 
accounts accordingly. 

I Each year report honestly the whole amount of grain and other 
produce obtained that year from the farm ; and those who can not 
do so shall incur fine and penalty. 

II Item, what they have received from the sale of hogs, from 
milk, butter and other products. 

III Item, what grain they have delivered and sold to freemen in 
the colony. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 711 



a 



Herefrom must be deducted, and by them be paid, according to 
their contract : 

I The wages of the farm hands, with the 16 guilders yearly for 
the patroon. 

II The board of themselves and people. 

III The wear of wagons, _plows, repairs of houses, barracks, 
fences, and other such things. 

This being deducted, they must make out an account of what then 
remains; indicating to the patroon, or his commis, the just half 
which falls to him, first deducting the tithes. 

Now as regards the just half of the remainder, which belongs to 
the farmer, therefrom must be subtracted the following: 

I What he has had for himself each year for clothes and house- 
hold articles. 

II What he has had each year from the patroon's store for him- 
self and his men (from whose wages he in turn is to make a de- 
duction). 

III What he and his people spent each year in wine and strong 
drink, whereof the patroon is not bound under his contract to pay 
his half ; the patroon stating peremptorily that all the wines which 
have been drunk in the colony and paid for in grain or other com- 
mon effects shall not be deducted from the general stock, much 
less from his share, but from that of the person who consumed 
them, whether man or woman, master or servant, having promised 
no one such, much less in so great abundance as many have used. 

And as regards the increase of the animals, each farmer shall 
each year give in an exact account of those that have died, those 
that have been added and those that have been disposed of; and 
the patroon understands the preemption price of cows to apply to 
those which calve in their third year, and not in the second, as 
the valuation on the part of the Company, to which the preemption 
price has reference, is understood of cattle which calve in their third 
year. So that those calving in their second year, which gradually 
decrease in size and produce smaller stock, are to be taken at 
only half the price or a little more. 

And whereas the fanners commonly employ contrary means and 
enter upon wrong courses, as for example, when grain became 
scarce and more in demand, then many of them sent a great deal 
away and sold it higher than the preemption price or delivered 
it recklessly and in gross on their own authority to the Company's 
servants without receiving special payment therefor or obtaining 
special bills of exchange or drafts; therefore the patroon resolves, 



/ 12 . NEW YOR£ STATE LIBRARY 

as is just, that for all such wheat as is delivered in this manner 
to the Company he is not bouni to give compensation until the 
payment therefor has come into his purse. He hereby gives the 
farmers notice that, from the beginning until now, being now nearly 
13 years, he has received but one payment in money, 1500 guilders, 
in all that time ; the remainder has been credited against goods 
and provisions delivered to the farmers and the people of the 
colony, who have had the same charged to the patroon in amounts 
of two to three thousand guilders, without naming man or horse. 
These accounts must first be properly itemized as to who is, and 
who is not, to pay for those amounts, allowing no exceptions or 
excuses from one or the other as, " I have not had this ; I have not 
had that," each one desiring to clear himself by his own statement; 
and although some will be found more at fault than others in this 
respect, yet it must nevertheless first be cleared up or settled from 
whom these sums are due. For what one has delivered and another 
has received, that he must find out to whom payment is due, and 
not the patroon. Nor can any money be charged to the patroon 
which has not been receive! at his office, particularly not if [the 
grain] has, without his consent, been delivered or sent to the Com- 
pany and by them acceptel on the general account of the colony, 
as appears to have been done ; and such farmers had done better to 
have immediately taken their payment in return therefor. 

And whereas grain is now somewhat less in demand and will 
apparently be somewhat lower in price, the patroon hereby also 
notifies the farmers who have running accounts that they must not 
hand in their statements of produce delivered in gross, but sep- 
arately : 

I The tenths. 

II That which is for the men's wages and that which is for the 
yearly expenses. 

III The third or half belonging to the patroon. 

Which being done, what is then found to be justly coming to 
them may each year be balanced against other accounts so as not 
to get into arrears. 

They must offer the total number of mud 'es of grain to the 
patroon's commis, demanding of him whether in the name of the 
patroon he consents or declines to take it over, in which matter 
the commis must govern himself according to the orders of the 
patroon and according to the expected prices and sales, which he 
may be able to obtain for it in cash, goods or peltries, without giving 
credit, and if conditions are contrary he must refuse to take it over, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



7 l 6 



in which case the farmers are at liberty to do their best with it, 
and this is the option of the right of preemption. But that the 
farmers should wish to crowd up the commis and overload him 
with produce when it is low in value, and when at a higher price, 
themselves sell it, as many have done — that is in no wise the in- 
tention of the patroon. He warns all farmers to put their people 
on their guard against this and not to celiver any mixed grain; 
that is to say, wherefrom the tenth and the third, or half accord- 
ing to contract, have not been separated or paid. 

Coming now to the conclusion : the patroon declares that he 
will not accept any accounts which cover several years ; but that 
every farmer, or whoever he be, shall deliver to him yearly ac- 
counts of the year's profits, as well for them as for him. 

That also things delivered where for they have not received 
special payment, or which have not come into the patroon's office, 
must remain in the general account until everything has been cleared 
up and itemized. 

That none of the inhabitants have or can have any free or 
private goods, except such as have rendered their yearly and proper 
accounts. 

And if they should complain of this, the patroon, who has not 
received any accounts from them in all that time, has much greater 
cause to complain. As to their reference to the patroon's commis, 
saying that it is his fault, it has already been stated that he is not 
in their service but in that of the patroon, that he is not obliged 
to make out their accounts but the patroon's, and that every person, 
be he who he may, the patroon's commis as well as other persons 
who have entered into contracts, farmers, yearly or daily laborers, 
each shall make out his own account. The commis generael is 
specially enjoined to account to the patroon ; and all others, none 
excepted, shall account to the commis generael for his examination 
first, and afterwards for the approbation of the patroon. 

As for their imagining that all their secret practices of covetous- 
ness will through length of time be forgutten, they will find them- 
selves deceived ; if they take a course toward the west to escape, 
the patroon will take a course from the east, in order with the ris- 
ing of the sun to expose their deception. 

The patroon does not propose to wrong any one in the world, 
much less the least of his inhabitants ; but as he will not wrong any 
one, so on the other hand he will not be hoodwinked or wronged 
by any one. Every man whose conscience is not asleep or seared 
will well understand what that means. 



714 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

And all persons, farmers or servants, are warned that if they 
come over with any accounts which they have extorted from the 
commis through his ignorance, or by persuasion or threats, they 
will have to pass the review of the preceding points before they 
can get satisfaction from the patroon, who being far from his 
property is near to his loss. 

In the meantime, the patroon is heartily desirous of a full settle- 
ment with all who have obtained their goods, however much, with- 
out prejudice to him, and wishes them all luck and prosperity there- 
with. While it is in part due to the carelessness of the commis that 
neither he nor any one else has, for five or more years, sent any 
accounts, yet the patroon must first make his demands" upon those 
who have not, according to their bounden duty, rendered any ac- 
counts to the commis, which every one in the colony was obliged to 
do, and their neglect shall tend not to the accusation but to the 
excusing of the commis. Nevertheless what he was bound to do, 
and must and ought and could have done, in regard to the goods 
sent to him, thereof he shall not be excused by the patroon. 

These things then being so, you are requested to direct the work 
so that for the future I may know precisely, each year, what profit 
each farm gives me, for I am not liable in case of loss ; after I 
have once delivered to them dwellings and cattle, they must find 
means to pay the tithes, the servants' wages, and the patroon's half 
and third without confusing them ; and what supplies they then 
need, they must pay for out of their own share ; and God grant that 
regular and proper accounts may at last be kept there from year 
to year. Done this 16th of September, 1643, m Amsterdam, and 
signed with his own hand. 

Was subscribed : 

Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 
Patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 
Then followed : 

There has been sent to me here, from the Manhatans, 
an extract of the contract of Gerrit dc Reus, deceased, in which 
many articles are left out. Let Arent look among the papers to see 
if they have not a complete contract. Otherwise I have the original 
here, which I will send over if necessary. But I think that Arent 
has it. Vale. 

Was signed : K V R 20 



20 Judging from this note, it would seem that the original of the above document was 
sent by the patroon to Johannes Megapolensis. The original is not among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 715 

Account of grain delivered by Teunis Dircksz van Vechten to 
the West India Company 21 

August p, 1644 

Tucnis dirchss van Vcchtcn, farmer, has delivered the following 
grain to the honorable West India Company. 

To skipper Cors Pictcrsz schepels 108 

To skipper berent Jacobsc 40 

To skipper cors Pietersz 68 

To crol 60 

To do. in the granary 160 

To skipper wesscl Evcrtsen 190 

To skipper Egbert Van Borsum 108 

To Sr Crol I 12 



1640, 


8 October 


1641, 


10 April 




26 May 


1642, 


19 January 




do. 




3 July 




20 September 


I642, 22 


27 Septemher 



Schepels 746 
And was signed: Arent zan Corlcr 
This a farmer delivered in three years. 
This day, the 9th of August 1644. 

Arendt Van Corlcr [canceled in original] 

Sentence of banishment pronounced on Adriaen Willemsz 23 

August 1 j, 1644 

The honorable president and council 24 of this colony of Rensse- 
laerswyck, having heard the voluntary confession of Adriaen Wil- 
lemsz, at present in irons, to wit: that he on Saturday last, being 
the 6th of August, at the house of the patroon where the comiuis- 
generael, Arendt Van Curler, resides, climbing in through the win- 
dow of the said house, stole seven beavers and in the afternoon of 



- 1 Written on the back of the ordinance concerning the fur trade, May 8, 1645, 
V.R.B. Mss 31. The account is apparently a copy of an extract made by van Curler 
from a ledger account of grain furnished by himself and seven others to the West 
India Company, 1638-43, among the Rcnsselaerswyck Mss. On f.5 of this ledger 
account, the present entries occur under the heading: Tuenis Dircksz, credit, by the 
following grain to the Chartered West India Company since Bastiaen Jansen Croll has 
had his residence here. 

- 2 This should be 1643, 2 7 October, according to the above mentioned ledger account, 
in which Egbert van Borsum is called the Company's skipper. 

B Copy in handwriting of Antony de Hooges in V. R. B. Mss 18. Other copy in same 
handwriting, signed by Arent van Curler, among the Rcnsselaerswyck Mss. Translation 
revised from O'Callaghan, History of New Netherland, 1:320-21. 

-* Presiderende en Radcn. 



Ji.6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

the following Monday eight beavers and a third; also that on the 
aforesaid Saturday he stole from the garret of the said house half 
a hide of upper leather; and having further heard the demand of 
the officer against the delinquent and duly considered the circum- 
stances of the case, have ordered and sentenced, as we hereby 
do order and sentence, that the delinquent be brought to the public 
place where justice is executed and, tied to a post, be exposed to 
ignominy for the space of two hours, with some of the stolen goods 
around his neck, after which he shall prostrate himself before the 
honorable gentlemen of the court and beg pardon of God and of 
justice; and further that henceforth and forever he shall be banished 
from this colony and never be allowed to return to it. Done in 
council this 13th of August 1644. 

By order of the president and council of this colony of Rensse- 
laerswyck. Underneath was written : Arendt Van Curler. 

Ordinance regulating the picking of hops 25 

August 31, 1644 

The honorable court of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, noticing 
the great evil which occurs yearly by the untimely picking of the 
hops which tends largely to the loss and detriment of this colony, 
and wishing to remedy this, have ordered and thought fit, as they 
hereby do order and think fit, that no one shall be allowed to pick 
any hops in this colony or to carry any hops that are picked outside 
into the colony before the 25th of September of each year, on for- 
feiture of the said picked hops and an additional fine of 25 Carolus 
guilders whenever any one is found to act contrary to this ordi- 
nance ; and the hops which have been picked or are being picked at 
present shall be burned by the officer of this colony, as they are not 
merchantable hops and cause great fraud by being mixed with others 
and otherwise. Therefore, let every one take heed and guard him- 
self against loss. Done in council, this 31st of August 1644. 

By order of the honorable court of this colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck. 

Underneath was written: 

Arendt Van Curler, Secretary. 



- 5 Copy in handwriting of Antony de Hooges in V. R. B. Mss 18. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOV.'TER MANUSCRIPTS 717 

Ledger of the accounts of the ship het Wapen van Rensselaers- 

wyck 26 

October 20 — December 26, 1644 

Laus Deo in the ship het Wapen Van Rensselaers Wyck fol. i 

1644 
Johan Simonsz, skipper, debit 
Oct. 26 To payment to hendrick Jansen Smitt f 17 10 

as appears by his receipt 
do. 28 To payment to flips Gerritscn as appears 

by his receipt f 17 16 8 

do. To payment to Thomas Bruijn also as 

appears by his receipt f26 



Total f6i 6 8 



Steven Stevensen, boatswain, debit 
( )ct. 20 To the amount paid to him by Picter 

Hart pens f 16 



Steven Stevcnss, Frenchman, debit 
Oct. 20 To the amount paid him by Picter Hart- 
gens 

Louweris de Bloem, engaged as sailor by 
the skipper, debit 

Oct. 26 Paid to him 
do. 28 Also paid to him 
do. Also paid to him 



fl2 



f 2 


IO 


f 2 


10 


f 2 


IO 



Total f 9 io 2 



26 V. R. B. Mss 30, entitled: Anno 1644. Schult Boeck Voor Reeckeninghe Vant Schip 
het Wapen Van Rcnsslacrs-Wyck ; marked No. M. Entries in the ledger show tfcat it 
must have been kept by some one in authority, other than the skipper, Jan Simonsz, or 
the supercargo, Picter Wijncoop. The closing of the early account books among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss by Arent van Curler, in August and September 1644, referen:e= 
to van Curler's departure in subsequent accounts kept by Antony de Hooges, and ? 
draft by Arent van Curler on the owners of het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck in favo-- 
of Jan Jansz Damen for a fat ox and a fat hog delivered for the use of said ship 
■Oct. 19, 1644, (N. Y. Col. Mss, 2: 131), make it practically certain that van Curler 
s ailed by het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck and that the ledger was kept by him. 

- 7 If the items are correct, this sum should be f/:io; it is entered in the cash credit 
account as f6 10. 



7l8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Laus Deo in the ship hct Wapen Van Rcnssclacrs Wijck fol. 2 

1644 

Lubbcrt Jansen, engaged by the skipper 
as sailor, debit 
Oct. 28 To payment to Philips Gerritsen for him i 2 4 

Johan Tomass, sailor, debit 
Nov. 9 Paid to him f 2 

Gerrit Slomp, engaged by the skipper as 
boatswain's mate 
Nov. 6 Paid to him f 13 

Pictcr Wijncoop, debit 
Nov. 6 To the amount which I paid for him to 
Director Kieft for duty on 13 beavers 
in my custody f 9 15 

N. 15. The above debits of the ship's 
crew, Skipper Jan Simonsz must 
credit in his accounts with the 
honorable owners, as I have 
handed the same to him in writ- 
ing and he has deducted the 
amounts from the monthly 
wages of the sailors. 

Laus Deo in the ship het Wapen fan Rensselaers Wijck fol. 3 

1644 

Ship's expenses, debit 

Oct. 23 Paid to Arent hendricksen Smift at the 
Manhatans, for repairs of muskets, 
pistols, augers and other things fi2 6 

do. Paid to Jan Claessen for small beer f24 

do. 25 To Claes Backer; at the Mauhat-, for 
bread furnished to the ship as appears 
by his receipt f35 6 

do. To 4 oaken boards gotten by the carpen- 

ter for necessary repairs on the ship f 5 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 719 

do. Paid to Wincoop for one ox bought of 

Clacscn damen, as appears by the note 
of hand sent to the honorable Van 
Twiller f 3 

do. Paid for butchering said animal f 3 

do. 27 Paid to Merten Cruijcr, for one water 

cask for the ship f 5 9 

do. 28 Paid to Evert duijckcr, for barrels and 

replacing the compass glass f 7 

\ov. 6 To Barcnt Jacobscn, who piloted the ship 
Rensselaers JVijck outside the Santt- 
punt, 3 beavers f2i 

do. To Egbert Van B or sent, who brought me 

in his sloop to the santpunt fi4 

Oct. 28 Paid for 10 schepels of peas, each schepel 

at 3 guilders ^3° 



Amounts to fi6o 2S 

Laus Deo in the ship het IVapen Van Rensselaers IVijck fol. 4 
at the Bermudas. 1644 

Ship's expenses at the Bermudas, 
debit 
Nov. 20, 23, To fresh provisions f 7 

& 28 
Dec. 13 To more fresh provisions f 28 15 

do. 13 Paid to an Englishman for 391 

pounds of beef for the ship f 58 13 

do. Paid to do. for 216 lb of bacon, 

each at 3 st — amounts to f 32 8 

do. To six gallons of vinegar f 7 10 

do. To nine gallons of fig juice 20 f 15 12 

Dec. 18 Paid to 2 Englishmen who worked 

on the ship, together 6 days f 15 

do. Also paid to two carpenters who to- 

gether worked 4 days on the said 
ship f 7 10 

■ Actual sum of these items is f 160 1 St. 
'-"' I 'iegendranck. 



720 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Nov. 23 To 100 lb of gunpowder 1150 

do. To 12 balls of oakum f 12 

do. To one anker of French wine with 

which I entertained the English 
General Jackson and his captain, 
who came to ask us what we 
might need on the ship and 
offered to help us with everything, 
as they did f 20 

Laus Deo in the ship het Wapen Van Renssel. Wijck fol. 5 

1644 

Beavers, debit 

Oct. 21 To 150 beavers which I took out 
of the case loaded in the ship 
Rensselaers Wijck, as appears 
from the accompanying certifi- 
cate 150 

Nov. 26 To 15 beavers which on account 
of great need I took out of said 
case and sold at the Bermudas 
to Tomas Willet at 7 guilders 
apiece 15 fi05 



Total number of beavers 165 

Beavers, credit 

Nov. 2 To the number I paid director 
Kieft for duty on 1078 beavers 
according to his reckoning, as 
appears by his receipt 101 

Nov. 5 To the number I paid B event Ja- 

' cobss, as appears on fol. 3 3 21 

do. To Egbert ran Borsem, as ap- 

pears on fol. 3 2 14 

do. To fan Claessen, as appears on 

fol. 3 3 24 

do. To the number I sold at different 

times, as appears on fol. 6 56 392 



Total number of beavers 165 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 721 

Laus Deo in the ship het Wapen Van Rensselaers Wijck fol. 6 

1644 
Cash, debit 
Oct. 25, 1644 To 41 beavers which I sold at 7 
guilders apiece, money of Hol- 
land 1287 
Nov. 26 To 15 beavers which I sold at the 
Bermudas at 7 guilders apiece, 
in money fi05 



Oct. 


26 


do. 




do. 


28 


Nov 


• 4 


do. 


6 


do. 




( )ct. 


23 


do. 


25 


do. 




do. 





1392 

Dec. 24 To 10 kans of brandy which I sold at 

the Bermudas of the remaining 
ship's wines at f2-io a kan f 25 

do. To amount I have received from 

Skipper Jan Simonscn f 50 

Dec. 26 To further amount which I have re- 

ceived from Skipper Jan Simonsen f 59 



Cash, credit 








To various amounts paid to Skip- 








per Jan Simonsz, as appears on 
fol. 1 


f 


61 


6 8 


To Lauweris de Bloom, as appears 
on fol. 1 


f 


6 


IO 30 


To Lubbcrt Jansen, as appears on 








fol. 2 


f 


2 


4 


To Jan Tomassen, as appears on 








fol. 2 


f 


2 




To gerrit slomp, as appears on 
fol. 2 


f 


13 




To Pieter Wyncoop, as appears on 








fol. 2 
To Arent hendricksen Smit, on 


f 


9 


15 


fol. 3 


f 


12 


6 


To Clacs de Backer, as appears on 








fol. 3 
To oaken boards, fol. 3 


f 
f 


35 

5 


6 


To Wlncoop, fol. 3 


f 


3 





30 On the debit side this amount is given as ig 10, see p. 717 whereas the sum of 
the items there given is 17 10. 

46 



7 22 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

do. To butchering an ox f 3 

do. 27 To Merten Cruijer, for a water 

cask f 5 9 

do. 28 To Evert duijcker, fol. 3 f 7 

do. To 10 schepels of peas, appears 

fol. 3 f 30 

Nov. 20, 23, 28 To fresh provisions at the Ber- 
mudas ; fol. 4 f 7 
Dec. 13 To do., appears as above f 28 15 
do. To 391 lb of beef, appears on 

fol. 4 f 58 13 

do. To 216 lb of bacon, appears on 

fol. 4 
do. To vinegar, appears on fol. 4 

do. To fig juice, appears fol. 4 

Dec. 18 To carpenters' work, appears as 

above 
do. To do., as above 

do. To 100 lb of gunpowder, appears 

on fol. 4 
do. To oakum, appears above 

Nov. 23 To one anker of French wine 

Total f554 8 :u 

Ordinance concerning the fur trade issued by the officers at Fort 
Orange in conjunction with the court of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck 32 

May 8, 1645 
Copy 

The court of the honorable Chartered West India Company here 
at Fort Orange and the honorable presiding officer and council of 
the honorable patroon of this colony, to all who shall see these 
presents or hear them read. Greeting. Whereas, we notice the great 
abuses which are daily practise 1 in the fur trade here and which 
tend greatly to the detriment both of the honorable Chartered West 
India Company and of the honorable patroon of this colony, we 
have ordered and decreed, as we hereby do order and decree, as 
follows : 



f 32 


8 


f 7 


10 


f 15 


12 


3 

i 15 




f 7 


10 


fi.50 




f 12 




f 20 





:;1 As the column stands the total is nol i'5ii o 8 lnit fsso 4 8. If the item con 
cerning de Bloom is changed t<> f; to, the total would still bo only f 55 1 4 8. 
. R. B. Mss 31. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 723 

First, that no one, whoever he may be, may give more than 10 
hands of white and five hands of black seawan or four hands of 
duffel for one merchantable beaver, smaller or larger as the case 
may be, on forfeiture of the said fur thus obtained and such mer- 
chandise as he shall be found to have with him and in addition 
under penalty of a fine of 25 Carolus guilders. 

That no one shall presume to barter any furs with the Indians 
during the night or at unseasonable hours outside of his house on 
forfeiture of 50 Carolus guil 'ers. 

That no one shall be permitted to meet any savages outside of 
his house to barter with them, much less to go to the woods, unless 
he shall have obtained special authorization to do so from the court 
here, on pain of 50 guilders aforesaid. 

That if any one is found enticing any savages to him from the 
houses of either commis, he shall be liable to a fine of 30 Carolus 
guilders ; or if he allures them from the house of some one who has 
obtained a right to trade freely, 25 guilders aforesaid. 

For good reasons us thereunto moving, we further ordain that 
good seawan for trading purposes shall not be sold at a higher 
price than four seawans for one stiver, the ooor seawan remaining 
as before at six for one stiver. 

Whoever shall be found to act contrary to what is written above, 
whether he does so on water or on land, directly or indirectly, no 
matter under what pretense or however it may be called, shall be 
liable to the aforesaid fine and, in addition, to summary correction 
at the discretion of the court according to the nature of the mis- 
demeanor. Thus done by both sides in Fcrt Orange this 8th of 
May 1645. 

By order of both courts aforesaid" 1 
To our knowledge, Harmannus A: Boochardc, Commis 

Antonio dc Hoogcs, Secretary 

[Endorsed] Copy of the publication concerning <he trade, dated 
the 8th of May 1645. 



" 3 Ter ordinantic -ran Beijdc gerechten toorss. The first formal court for Fort Orange 
and Beverwyck was established by proclamation of Director General Stuyvesant, April 
10, 1652. 



724 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Johannes de Laet and Samuel Blommaert to Albert Coenraets 
Burgh, with reply 34 

August 4, 164/ 
Copy 
To Mr Albert koenraets Burgh : 

As your honor knows best on what basis the first colonies in New 
Netherland were established and what was understood by the word 
patroon of the respective colonies, in regard to which several dis- 
putes occurred between us underwritten and Mr killiaen van Rens- 
selaer, deceased, during his life and still continue with his heirs 
and the guardians of his minor children, the aforesaid construing 
the right of patroonship into a supremacy over us, their copartners, 
even so far that without our consent they dare choose a director 
over the colony and other officers ami give instructions to the same 
of which they claim to let us have the mere approval, whereas we, 
according to the first plan and contract agreed upon respecting 
this matter, understand this patroonship to have been conceded to 
the said van Rensselaer and his heirs inasmuch as the same must 
be entered under one name, but the force and effect thereof to 
belong to the copartners in common, without the pretended patroon 
being at liberty to do anything without the knowledge and approval 
of his associates or to claim for himself in particular anything in 
the way of dignities or emoluments ; we request most urgently that 
your honor will please to make such statement regarding this mat- 
ter as you may deem proper. At the Hague August 1647. Was 
signed : / delaet, S. blomaert. 

Below was written : 

Having read the above written Casus positie and having been 
requested to refresh my memory in regard to what passed when 
Messrs Samuel blommaert, killiaen ran Rensselaer and myself 
agreed together to plant colonies in New Netherland and other 
parts, [I declare] that the agreement and understanding has al- 
ways been that all dignity, preeminence, profit and loss which 
might in any wise accrue either from the government or the cul- 
tivation of the lands, should be had in common ; that also the name 
which was chosen to be designate 1 to the Company as patroon and 
in course of time if wished to raise [the patroonship] to higher 



34 V. R. B. Mss 32, marked 1'. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 725 

rank should not confer any advantage or superiority in authority 
or other matters, but that everything was to be arranged and regu- 
lated after joint deliberation on the situation ; that matters so re- 
mained till about the year 1630, when I departed for Russia, since 
which time, or since my return, when I found that my share had 
been ceded to Mr jehan delaet, I have not troubled myself further 
about it. 

Done at the Hague, the 4th of August 1647. 
Was signed : Albert Burgh. 

Resolution of the States General on the petition of Samuel 
Blommaert and others. 35 

November 20, 1648 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the High and Mighty 
Lords the States General of the United Netherlands 
Friday, the 20th of November 1648 

The memorial of Samuel Blommart, Johannes de Laet, Margriete 
Reinst, widow of Adam Wesscls™ and Touchain muijssart against 
the guardians of the minor son of Kiliaen van Rensselaer concern- 
ing a certain colony in New Netherland, after deliberation, is by copy 
placed in the hands of the said guardians for the purpose of setting 
forth their position in writing. 

[paraphed] W v Haren vt 

Agrees with the aforesaid register 
[signed] Corn Masch 
1648 
[Endorsed] Defense against the pretensions of the participants 
in the colony of Rensselaerswyck. 

Resolution of the States General in the matter of Johannes van 
Rensselaer and others 37 

April 26, 1640 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the High and Mighty 
Lords the States General of the United Netherlands. 



85 V. R. B. Mss 39, marked No. 5. The body of this extract revised from Doc. rcl. 
to Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:255. 

86 Should be Adam Bessels; name is correctly given in Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N . Y. 

1:255- 

87 V. R. B. Mss 40, marked No. 7. The body of this extract revised from Doc. rcl. 
to Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:256. 



726 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Monday, the 26th of April 1649 

The answer of Iohan van Weelij and IV outer van Tiviller, guard- 
ians of Iohan van Renselaer, son of Kiliaen van Rcnselacr, to the 
memorial heretofore presented to their High Mightinesses hy Sam- 
uel Blocmcrt and associates, is after deliberation placed in the hands 
of the parties concerned for the purpose of replying thereto within 
the space of 14 days after service hereof. 

[paraphed] T. van Gent v'. 
Agrees with the aforesaid register 
[signed] Corn Musch 
1649 

Reply of Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet to the States 

General 38 

May 31, 1649 

To the High and Mighty Lords the States General 
High and Mighty Lords : 

The answer of Jean van Wely and Woulter van Twitter as guard- 
ians of Iohan vdn Renselaer, to the memorial presented by us, 
the underwritten, to your High Mightinesses on the 20th of Novem- 
ber 1648, was handed to us by the said guardians on the 8th of 
May of this year, as appears by the copy hereto annexed, to which 
we add the following by way of refutation. 

First, that it is indeed said by the defendants that Kiliaen van 
Renselaer, deceased, registered the colony in New Netherland in 
accordance with the freedoms granted for that purpose, but they 
omit to state that he registered it euin Socijs; these were the plain- 
tiffs or their predecessors, so that those freedoms wore obtained for 
them as well as for the said Renselaer, just as from the beginning 
they have also jointly borne the expense in proportion to their 
shares. 

Secondly, that they wrongfully pass by the contract signe 1 by 
the parties which the plaintiffs annexed to their memorial to your 
High Mightinesses and set forth another agreement which was 
never signed. 

Thirdly, that they are wrong in alleging that the management and 
jurisdiction belong to them alone and the gain or profits to the par- 
ticipants in proportion, it being an unheard of arrangement, which 
no one in his senses would enter into, to let some one else have com- 



83 V. R. B. Mss 41, marked F, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 727 

plete control where he himself might suffer loss. The plaintiffs 
trusted Rensclaer, deceased, with the management as long as he 
gave them regular notice of his doings ; hut when they noticed that 
the said trust might be considered a right, as he began to consider 
it before his decease and as these people have openly treated it (just 
as if we were their vassals instea 1 of their coparticipants), they 
always objected both during his lifetime and later. 

Fourthly, it is truly said by them that they have never refused to 
render accounts, but they omit to state that they have never ren- 
dered them though requested to do so long ago ; there is not much 
difference between not doing a thing and refusing to do it. 

Fifthly, it seems strange to us that these people refer to the man- 
agement of other colonies in New Netherland in which the aforesaid 
Kiliaen van Rensclaer as well as the plaintiffs participated because 
the minutes of the meetings and some of the participants who are 
still living can testify that the patroons of the said colonies have not 
taken upon themselves the management and jurisdiction, but that 
everything that was to be done was decided by joint vote, the title 
of patroon only, and nothing else, being reserved to one person for 
the sake of the descent of the fief. 

Finally, that after having delayed us for a long time with the 
expectation that according to our request they would submit the 
questions between us to the decision of arbitrators to be chosen by 
both sides and having meanwhile done everything they please J, they 
sent a director thither without consulting us in the least, yes, against 
our protest, gave him and others without our knowledge instruc- 
tions of such content as might lead to misunderstanding between 
us and the Chartered West India Company (as indeed complaints 
have already been made about certain acts caused by their instruc- 
tions) and do not communicate to us the letters which they write 
thither or those which come from there, as if the matter did not 
concern us. 

After these and other abuses, they now request your High Mighti- 
nesses to refer us to the ordinary courts of justice, to all appear- 
ances as if it did not belong to your High Mightinesses to take 
cognizance of a question which depends on a regulation approved 
and issued by your High Mightinesses, the interpretation and de- 
cision of which belongs to your High Mightinesses alone. 

Taking all this into consideration, we once more very humbly 
request your High Mightinesses that your High Mightinesses will 
please to summon both parties on a certain appointed day before 



728 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

a committee of your High Mightinesses and, after hearing the 
arguments on both sides, to effect a settlement or to decide the 
questions at issue, in such a way as your High Mightinesses shall 
deem fit. 

Which doing, etc. 

[signed] 





[In the margin of the first recto is written] 

The States General of the United Netherlands, after deliberation, 
have placed this refutation in the hands of Messrs Hay gens, Vett 
and zander Hoolck to investigate and examine the same and report 
thereon ; both parties shall meanwhile be free to send in their re- 
joinders without prejudice to the above. Done in the assembly of 
the aforesaid honorable States General, the 31st of May i649. 33 

[paraphed] A r ; Ripperda vt 

By order of the same 
[signerl] Corn Musch 1649 
[At bottom of the first rect)] June 1, 1649 
[Endorsed] 

Refutation by the participants of the colony in New Netherland 
of the claims of the guardians. 



39 Cf. Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:256, where is found the corresponding minute of 
the States General which is dated Junei, 1649. The minute of June 4, again gives the 
date of this action as May 31. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 729 



Resolution of the States General in the matter of Johannes van 
Rensselaer and others 40 

June 4, 1649 
Copy 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the High and Mighty 
Lords the States General of the United Netherlands. 

Friday, the 4th of June 1649 

On deliberation, it is hereby resolved and decided to amplify their 
High Mightinesses' decision of the 31st of May last, placed in the 
margin of the reply presented on the same day .to their High Mighti- 
nesses by Samuel Blommacrt and Ian dc Laet, qualitate qua, so 
that Messrs Huijgcns, Vett and vander Hoolck, their High Mighti- 
nesses' deputies aforesaid, shall be empowered to summon both 
parties before them on a certain day to be appointed by them for 
that purpose, in order to settle, if possible, the differences existing 
between them; and if not, to render a report of their proceedings 
to their High Mightinesses. Was paraphed N: Rippcrda vt . Be- 
low was written : Agrees with the aforesai 1 register. Was signed : 
Corn Musch. 

States General to Jan van Wely and Wouter van Twiller 41 

July 3, 1649 

The States General of the United Netherlands 
Honorable, pious, dear, faithful : 

On the fourth of June last we appointed Messrs huijgens, Vett and 
vander hoolck a committee from the midst of our assembly, to sum- 
mon before them Samuel Blommacrt and Jan de Laet, qualitate qua, 
on the one side, and you as guardians of Johan van Rensclaer, on 
the other side, on a certain day to be appointed by their honors, 
and to settle, if possible, the mutual differences existing between you 
and if not to report their proceedings to us; and as next Thursday 
being the 8th of this month has been appointed for that purpose, 
we have thought fit to give you notice hereof and also to order and 
enjoin you to repair hither on the aforesaid appointed day, for the 



40 V. R. B. Mss 42, marked No. 9. The body of this extract revised from Doc. ret. to 
Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:256. 

•" V. R. B. Mss 43. This letter was sent in accordance with resolution of July 3, 1649, 
for which see Doc. rcl. to Col. Hist. N. Y. 1:257. 



73° NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

purpose aforesaid, without fail. Trusting that you will do so we 
commend you to God's holy protection. At the Hague, the 3d of 
July 1649. 

[paraphed] Jacob veth vt 
By order of the aforesaid honorable Lords the States 
General 

In the absence of the secretary 

[signed] /; Spronssen 
[To] Jan ran Welij and zvouter van Twilcr 
[Sealed with the seal of the United Netherlands and addressed] 

Honorable, pious, our dear and faithful Jan van Welij, 
and W outer van Tzviler, guardians of Johan van Renselaer, 
jointly and to each one separately. 

Resolution of the States General on a petition of Samuel Blom- 
maert and Johannes de Laet 42 

November 5, 1649 

Extract from the register of resolutions of the High and Mighty 
Lords the States General of the United Netherlands. 
Friday, the 5th of November 1649 

The petition of Samuel Blommaert and Johannes de Laet, cum 
sociis, against Jan van Welij and W outer van Tzuijler, both guard- 
ians of Johan van Renselaer, respecting a certain colony in New 
Netherland, being read in the assembly, it is after consideration re- 
solved and concluded hereby to order and enjoin both parties to 
furnish their respective documents within the space of 14 days after 
service hereof to their aforesaid High Mightinesses' deputies for the 
examination of the matter aforesaid, in order, such being done, that 
their High Mightinesses may make further disposition thereof. 

[paraphed] G. Vander Nisse rl 
Agrees with the aforesaid register 
[signed] Corn. Musch 
1649 



*- V. R. B. Mss 44. The body of this extrad revised from Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. ). 
1:320- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 731 

Sentence of Claes Andriesz 4 " 
March 26, 1650 

TRANSLATED BY MRS ALAN H. STRONG 

A conditional sentence in 1650 

In the matter of several serious misdemeanors of Clacs Andriesz. 
from Hilversum. 

On the very urgent prayer of his master Jan Barcntsz. Wcmp and 
his wife, and perceiving the great need of the same, the honorable 
members of this Court have been moved to what follows, yet under 
express pledge of the delinquent. 

1 st. That Clacs Andriess, shall not enter any tavern of this place 
to drink beer, wine or distilled liquors. 

2d. That he shall promise under oath that he will faithfully serve 
his present master and master's wife, or any other whom he may 
get in the colony, and do their work, in everything obey them, not 
leave their service or leave the colony before and until he has ful- 
filled his obligations to the aforesaid, the director and the patroon 
according to his contract and promise and that on the Lord's day 
of rest he will go to hear God's Holy Word instead of going to the 
taverns and will perform and show all proper obedience to the au- 
thorities. 

3d. That he shall also promise under oath that he will give to no 
one, whether man, woman or any aged person, either by word or 
deed, the least cause which might result in damage of any sort, and 
if such be done, that then he shall publicly be punished for all pre- 
vious misdemeanors 44 though all his fines, charges for extraordinary 
sessions of the Court, etc., had been paid. 

All the aforesaid Clacs Andricsz. promises, without legal con- 
straint, to perform in every respect, fully confirming the same by 
oath in the presence of the aforesaid honorable members of the 



43 Trinted in Dutch in Oud Holland, 1890, 8:80. As the source given at the end 
indicates, this document does not form part of the Van Rensselaer Bowier collection 
hut was copied hy Mr de Roever from a copy of the proceedings of the court of 
Rensselaerswyck found among the files of the former tribunal of the district of the 
Veluwe, province of Gelderland, Netherlands. The original record of the sentence is 
found in the volume of court proceedings entitled Gerechts Rolle, 1648-52, f.52D-53, 
among the Reiissclaerstvyck Mss. 

44 March 18, 1650, Clacs Andricsz. while denying a number of charges brought 
against him, confessed that July 16. 1649, he struck at Hcndrick dries- with a knife; 
that he had spoken insolently to Director Brant -can Slichtcnhorst on the street; that 
Jan. 31, 1650. he struck gysbert aende berch over the head. Gerechts Rolle. 1648-52, 
f.5ob, 52. 



73 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Court, according to his own hand, pledging therefor his person and 
property, which he now owns or hereafter may own, be it in this 
country, in the fatherland or elsewhere ; to this end submitting him- 
self to this honorable Court and to all other courts and justices 
without exception, all with expenses. In witness whereof, he has 
signed this with his own mark in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
this 26th of March 1650. 

(Copy of a copy from the court proceedings of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck appearing among the legal documents used in 
the suit of van Slichtenhorst against Van Renselaer before the 
Hoog Adellijk Landgericht of the Veluive 1656/59, preserved 
in the government archives at Amhem.) 

The sentence was quoted in the lawsuit as proof that the schout 
had set free some one " contrary to oath and contract " and was 
therefore apparently not approved by the patroon. 

N. de R. 

Inventory of animals in the colony sent over by Johan Baptist 

van Rensselaer 45 

1651 

Animals found on the farm of tomas Chamber the 14th day of 

February 165 1 

Cattle Years 

1 red cow with a blaze 12 

1 gray ditto 8 

i red heifer with a star 4 

1 ditto with white head 3 

2 red heifer calves 1 
1 ditto with white head 
I red ox ? 



Horses 


Years 


1 gray mare 


14 


r ditto 


10 


1 gray stallion 


13 


1 ditto 


4 


1 bay mare 


10 


1 bay ditto about 


3 


1 brown filly about 


1 


1 ditto stallion 


1 


8 horses 





8 cows 



48 V. R. B. Mss 46, entitled: Inventaris zande bestiaele-n In, I,- ( olonie do > lehan batt° 
van Rensseler ouergesonden; marked 19. 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



733 



Animals found on the farm of euert pels, the ioth of February 165 1 



Horses 



Years 



bay gelding, called pingster- 

blom 46 
stallion, called konning 
black stallion, called dick 

hop 
old mare, called de valck 
bay mares 



1 black filly 



Cattle 



Years 



1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
3 

3 — 
1 8 



old cow with a blaze 
ditto, called kromhoorn 

red cow with a star 8 

red heifer 2 

bull 3 

heifer calves I 



Animals found on the place occupied by Cornells van es 41 the ioth 

of February 165 1 
Horses 
1 old gray mare 
1 bay ditto with a star 
1 brown stallion with a star 



Animals found on the farm of tennis dirrcksen 48 the 14th day of 

February 1651 



Horses 


Years 


Cattle 


Years 


1 sorrel mare 


6 


1 brown cow 


8 


1 mare with a star 


8 


1 ditto 


5 


1 black mare 


4 


1 cow with a blaze 


4 


1 sorrel stallion 


3 


1 red cow 


3 


1 brown ditto with a star 


4 


2 red heifers 


2 


1 mare with a brown nose 


2 


1 red bull 


2 


1 bay ditto with a star 


2 


1 brindled ditto 


2 


1 sorrel stallion 


2 


1 red heifer calf 


1 


1 sorrel filly 


1 


1 brindled ditto 


1 


9 




10 





46 Literally translated, the names of these animals are: Pinkster Bloom, King, Thick 
Head, The Falcon, Crooked Horn. 
41 Elsewhere given as Cornelis Hcndricksz van Nes. 
** Teunis Dircksz van Vechten. 



734 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Animals found on the farm of Clacs segers, 43 the 14th day of 

February 1651 

Horses Ye 

1 sorrel mare 

1 brown ditto with a star 

1 brown mare 

1 gray gelding 

1 gelding with a blaze 

1 black gelding about 

1 barren mare (in addition 
to the number that be- 
longs to the farm 



irs 


Cattle Years 


5 


1 red cow about 6 


3 


1 ditto 5 


2 


1 ditto 3 


20 


1 heifer with crooked horns 3 


7 


1 heifer without a tail 3 


5 


1 red yearling 




1 red heifer calf 1 



Animals found on the farm of jeuriaen bestval, 50 the 14th day of 



February 1651 



Horses 



Years 



1 black mare 

1 brown ditto with a star 

1 black mare with a star 

1 black mare about 

2 black stallions 

2 black stallion colts with 

blazes 
1 brown ditto 



Cattle 



2 

7 
6 

3 

3 


1 red cow abou 
1 spotted cow 
1 red cow 
1 red heifer 
1 red heifer calf 


1 
1 


5 



Years 

11 

8 

7 
2 

1 



49 No farmer by this name appears in the account books among the Rensselaerswyck 
Mss. The name occurs several times in G credits Rolle 1648-52, but on f.gib of that 
volume and also in the index to Account Book, 1642—54, the name Cornelisz is written 
over that of Segersz, while the occupant of the farm on Papscanee Island is given in 
the Notietic Vn de Bouwcrijcn, 1651, on p. 741, as Claes Segerts, and in the renewal of 
the lease, 1652, on p. 767, as Claes Cornelisz. It seems certain therefore that Claes 
Segersz was the same person as Claes Cornelisz, the son of Cornelis Segersz van 
Voorhout, and that contrary to the usual rule of Dutch nomenclature he was occasion- 
ally called Segersz to distinguish him from Claes Cornelisz, the brother of Gijsbert 
Cornelisz op den Iloogcnberch. 

50 This name is given in the account hooks among the Rensselaerswyck Mss as Jur- 
riaen Bestvall, Bestevall, Bestivall, Bcstivall, Wcstval, Westvael, IVestvaelt and West' 
phael. In a patent to Johanna de Laet, for land .it Esopus, March 27, 1657, Dutch 
Patents, JUT, p. 74, he is referred to as Jiuiacn ran Westphalen. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



735 



Animals found on the farm of gijsbcrt Cornelissen van breuckelen 
on the hill, 51 14th of February 165 1 



Horses Years 


Cattle 


Years 


1 brown mare with a star 7 


1 brown cow 


8 


1 bay ditto 7 


1 brindled ditto 


8 


1 black stallion with a star 10 


1 red ditto 


6 


1 ditto 6 


1 brindled ditto 


5 


1 brown ditto 5 


1 red heifer 


3 


1 bay mare with a star 2 


1 red heifer calf 


1 


1 stallion colt with a blaze 1 


— 





Animals found on the farm of jan reijerssf 2 the 14th February 165 1 





Horses Years 




Cattle 


Years 


I 


old mare with a blaze 




1 


brindled cow, about 


15 




about 


20 


1 


cow with a blaze 


7 


I 


brown mare with a star 


7 


1 


brindled ditto 


4 


I 


ditto 


6 


1 


heifer with star 


2 


I 


stallion with a blaze 


4 


1 


red heifer calf 


1 


I 


mare with a blaze about 


2 


1 


bull calf with a blaze 


1 


i 


brown filly 


1 








I 


brown stallion colt with a 
star 


1 


6 







Animals found on the farm of fan helms, the 14th of February 165 1 



Horses Years 

1 old gray mare 
1 bay mare, called maeger 53 
about 

1 black mare with a star 

2 brown stallions with stars 

about 
1 brown filly with a star 



20 

7 

3 
1 



Years 



Cattle 
1 red brindled cow 
1 red cow with a star 
1 red cow 

1 old cow with a blaze 
1 red cow about 
1 red heifer 

1 bull (in addition to his num- 
ber) 



61 aende bcrch ; from its situation this farm was called de Hoogcberch, see p. 769. 
02 Jan Reyersz van Houten. 
63 Lean. 



73& 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Animals found on the farm of aert jacobsen, the 14th of February 

165 1 
Horses Years 

1 bay mare, called block 16 

1 brown mare with a star 

about 10 

1 ditto, called raeuen 5 * 6 

1 black stallion with a star 7 
1 brown stallion 2 

I bay stallion colt with a star 1 



Cattle Years 
1 red cow with a star about 10 

1 brindled cow 7 

1 cow with a blaze 6 

2 red heifers 2 

1 red spotted ditto 2 

2 bull calves with blazes 1 



Animals found on the farm of Cornells segerssj® the 13th of 

February 165 1 
Horses Ye; 

1 black stallion with a star, 

called dobes 56 
1 brown mare, called de 

jongc liclit hart about 
1 old mare, called de blcckc 
1 bay gelding with a blaze 
1 mare, called dc ouwde lich 

hart 
1 bay mare with a star 

about 
1 mare with a star, called 

de jongc sncl about 
1 mare, called de jonge mae- 

ger about 

1 gray gelding, called de 

honger lijder about 

2 bay fillies with stars 
1 stallion colt 
1 mare, called de jongc kol 

about 



irs 




Cattle Years 




1 


black cow 


4 


4 


1 


red cow with a star, called 








kleijne 


4 


4 


1 


red cow, called krom- 




10 




hoorcn 


5 


3 


1 


red ditto, called kort speen 


5 




1 


red ditto, called dc man- 




12 




hatansche veers 


12 




1 


red ditto, called krcupylbos 


6 


20 


1 


black brindled cow 


5 




1 


red cow, Hans 


5 


4 


1 


whitish cow about 


4 




2 


red heifers with stars 


4 


3 


3 


red ditto 


4 




2 


red oxen 


2 


3 


1 


red heifer 


2 


1 


1 


black bull calf 


1 


1 


2 


red heifer calves 


1 




1 


black heifer calf 


1 


3 


1 


red bull calf 


1 



13 



64 Raven. 

56 Cornelis Segers,- van Voorhout 

M Translating such of these nanus as can he so treated, the names of the animals 
on this farm are: Dobes, Young light Heart. Whitie, Old Light Heart, Young Fleet, 
Young Skinny, the Starveling. Young Star, Tiny, Crooked Horn, Short Teat, the Man- 
hatan heifer, Cripple Hush, Hans. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



737 



Animals found on the farm of jan bacrcntsen, 57 the 13th of 

February 1651 



Horses Years 

1 bay gelding with a star 
1 bay ditto 

1 sorrel mare with a blaze 4 
1 bay mare with a star 10 

1 gray mare 6 

1 ditto 2 

I brown stallion colt with a 
star 1 



Cattle Years 

1 red cow with crooked horns 4 
1 fallow cow 6 

1 red ditto with a blaze 6 

1 muley cow with a blaze 10 

2 red heifer calves 1 
2 ditto bull calves 1 



Animals found on the place occupied by thomas janscn, the 13th of 

February 165 1 
Horses Years 

1 brown gelding with a star 1 1 
1 bay ditto with a star 9 



Cattle 




Years 


2 red cows 




9 


1 red ditto 




4 


2 red oxen 




2 


2 red heifers 




1 


1 red heifer calf 


of this 


year 



Animals found on the farm of adrians Hubcrtscn, the 10th of 

February 1651 



Horses Years 

1 gray mare 5 

1 brown mare, called de Ras 58 
1 mare called sniiyf''* I 

1 mare, called de ouwe bruijn m 

2 mare colts about 2 
1 mare colt with a blaze 

about i' 

1 brown stallion colt with a 
star about 1 



Cattle 
2 red full-grown cows 
1 whitish ditto 
1 red ditto with blaze 
1 whitish heifer 
1 red ditto 

1 red ditto with a blaze 
1 red bull with a blaze 
1 red yearling 



Years 



67 Jan Barentsz Wemp. 

68 Fleet. 

69 Snout. 

60 Old Brown. 

47 



73% 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Animals found on the farm of Comelis teunissen van brcuckcl the 
i st of February 165 1 



Horses 

1 bay mare with 3 

about 

2 gray mares about 
I light gray ditto 
1 bay stallion with a star 
1 bay ditto 
1 ditto with a star 
1 bay mare with a star 



Years 


Cattle 


blaze 


4 red full-grown cows 


13 


1 red heifer 


6 


1 red heifer calf about 


5 


— 


ar 3 


6 


3 




3 




2 





Years 

2 
1 



Animals found on the farm, called dc vlacktc, used by Arcnt van 
Corler, the 20th of August 165 1 



Horses Years 

1 gray mare, called dc pa- 
ir 00 u 61 6 
1 gray mare, called poest 8 
1 black mare 9 
1 bay mare, called snuijt 7 
1 bay mare with a blaze, 

called rosbeier 6 

1 black mare with a star 4 

1 black gelding, hanes 12 

1 bay gelding, called spiering 9 
1 brown stallion without mark 3 
(belongs to the increase 
divisible half and half) 
1 sorrel colt with a blaze I 
(belongs also to the in- 
crease) 



Cattle Years 

6 red full-grown cows 

2 black full-grown cows 

1 black ox (of the half and 

half increase) 2 

3 oxen (of said increase) 1 

2 bulls (of said increase) 2 

1 heifer (of said increase) 1 

2 heifers of the year 165 1 

(of said increase) 
1 ox of the year 1651 (of 
said increase) 



18 



20 



02 



01 Translating such of these names as can be so treated, the names of the animals on 
this farm are: the Patroon, Poest (possibly a horse that had belonged to Jan Barents! 
Wemp, nicknamed Poest), Snout, Rosbeier (horse of Bayard), 1 Tuns. Smelt. 

92 So in original; should be 10. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



739 



Animals found on the farm of pieier teunissen 63 at kats kil, the 
20th of August 1651 



Horses Years 

1 old mare with a star 
1 stallion, called /a/? 04 about 12 
1 mare, called de jonge wac- 

ker 4 

1 filly i]/z 

1 filly of this year 



Cattle Years 

1 cow, called hoc stacrt 

about 12 

1 cow, called de groote about 12 
1 heifer with her first calf 
1 heifer 2 

3 calves 1 

3 calves of this year 



10 



On the farm of jan van breemen, m also at Catskil, the 20th of 

August 



Horses Years 

1 mare, called block 
1 mare, called Corlaer 6 

1 mare, called euert pels 4 

1 mare, called snmftgen m 5 

2 colts, a stallion and a mare 



Cattle Year 

1 cow with a star, with her 

second calf 
1 heifer with her first calf 

1 cow with her. second calf 

2 calves of this year 



On the farm of 
Thomas Chamber 
Evert Pels 
Cornells van Es 
Theunis dirckxss 
Claes Zegcrssz 
juriacn Bcstval 
Gysbcrt Cornclisscn 
jan reijcrsz 
jan helms 
Aert jacobsz 



Horses 


Cattle 


8 


8 


7 


8 


3 





9 


10 


7 


7 


9 


5 


7 


6 


7 


6 


6 


7 


6 


8 



03 Pieter Tennis/ van Brunswijck. Ccrcchts Rollc, 1648—52, f.io-jb, among the 
Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

04 The names of the animals on this farm are: Patch, Young Lively, Cow's Tail, 
Big One. 

'"Jan DircksS van Bremen, according to Groot Boeck, 1640-50, f.34, and Cerechls 
Rolle, 1648-52, f.71, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. Erroneously given by O'Cal- 
taghan, History of New Ncthcrland, 1:441, as Jon Janscn van Bremen. 

m Little Snout. 



74Q 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



On the farm of 
Cornells Zegcrsz 
jan barensz 
Thomas jansz 
adriaen huijbertsz 
Cornells theunisz 
. I rent van Corler 
Kats Kll, Pleter theunis,: 
jan van breemen 



Torses 




Cattle 


13 




22 


7 




8 


2 




8 


8 




9 


8 




6 


10 




18 


5 




10 


6 




5 


128 


horses 


161 67 cattle 


168' 1 ' 


' cattle 





Total 



2C)G {)7 



Memorandum of farms in the colony 68 

1651 
Farms in the colony 

Guilders Morgens Horses Cows 



A farm used by Cambrc, m on 

the east side of the North 

or Great [River], on the 

mainland 

This is newly cleared land 

which will not bring rent till 

next November 
One ditto used by Evert pels; 

adjoins the pine grove 70 
Has two sawmills, fi25 

Due for water rights 



30 



f5°° 
f400 

fl25 



20 



87 So in original but the numbers should be 151, 151 and 279, respectively. 

88 This document does not form part of the Van Rensselaer Bowicr collection, but 
is found among the Renssclaerswyck Mss. It is endorsed: 1651 Notietie Vn de 
Bouwerijen In Nieunederlandt Hnde Wat desclve Behoorde te Rendeeren; I'ut Co ft. 
slijters Raport (1651, Memorandum of the farms in New Netherland and what rent 
tin- same should brin^; from (apt. Slijter's report). The document is valuable for its 
information as to location, size and quality of the farms mentioned in the preceding 
"Inventory of animals, 1651," and in "Leases and agreements relating to the farms, 
1650—58," which follows, and has therefore been deemed worth printing here. A 
comparison of the document with the "Inventory of animals, 1651," will show some 
discrepancies in the number of animals reported. Capt. Slijter had charge of the 
colony during the absence of Director van Slichtenhorst, in the summer of 1651. 

08 Thomas Chambers. 
70 leet aent grijnc bos. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 741 

Guilders Morgens Horses Cows 
One ditto used by Cornells Van 

ncs; poor 1225 9 3 

One ditto used by t'heitiiis 
dircksc; lies behind the island 
of Paepsichcnc and is one of 
the best f5oo 30 11 14 

This ought to bring more 
and gives oak tithes 
One ditto used by Juriaen 
Weestmael, 11 on papsichuie 
Island; also one of the best 
farms f56o 28 10 5 

Has never paid yet and 

gives tithes f42 : — 

One ditto used by Clacs Se- 

gerts, 12 ■ on the aforesaid 

island ; also one of the best 

farms and gives tithes f46o 28 7 10 

One ditto used by Cornells van 
Bruckelen, 73 on the high hill 
of crystal; 74 a fine farm f36o 27 7 11 

And for tithes and rent of 
two sawmills used by Jacob 

jansc floodcr fi25 2 — — 

A farm used by Joan heling, 75 

on Betelhems Island f30O 40 6 11 

Also tithes, but does not 
pay 
A farm used by aret Jacobsz, 
on the mainland called Det- 
telhem; Poor. The west side 
is a good farm. Will clear 
three morgens more at his 
own expense f250 16 5 12 



71 Jurriaen Westvael, or Bestval. 

72 See note on p. 734. 

73 Gijsbert Cornelisz van Breuckelen. 
u aende Hooge barch Van Cristal. 
70 Jan Helms. 



742 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Behind these two farms 
lies a sawmill which does not 
work for lack of water 

A farm used by Johan Ba- 
rentse; a stately farm on the 
side of Castle Island; tithes 
f 5 o:- 

A tobacco ' plantation used by 
Jacob Havick 

Two large sawmills used 
by albert andris moorman. 
This is a powerful waterfall, 
worth as much as fiooo; 
gives for both 

A farm used by Cornells segers, 
being a good farm situated 
on Castle Island ; with re- 
cently cleared land large 

And was to give for tithes 
iooo guilders 

A farm used by t' ho mas jansen, 
lying on the bevers kil. Has 
his own house 

Follows the outline of the 
village ; 7G the house was 
rented last year for about 85 
beavers at 8 guilders 

A farm called Blommendael, 
used by arion Hitijbcrts; rut 
Jacobs lessee 



Guilders Morgens Horses Cows 



f275 



f20 



f250 



fl2IO 



f300 



14 



70 



13 



22 



fi30 



f68o — 



14 



9 



10 



[Folio 2] 



[3 Farms carried forward from 
the other side amount to E6670 



Guilders 6670 334 96 128 

Guilders Morgens Morses Cows 
334 96 128 



70 Volcht dc Bij ccn wonigh ontecnt. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 743 

Guilders Morgens Horses Cows 
A farm used by Cornells teu- 
nesse Van Bruckelen. Does 

not pay, claims ownership f6oo 2 SV 2 IO 9 

A farm called de Vlackte, used 
by arent Colacr, being the 
best farm 

one island 16 morgens, 

very good 
one ditto 5 morgens, 

good 
mainland 23 morgens, 
fair 



44 44 10 



Guilders 7270 403^ 116 155 

For farm of Corlaer, by estimate 1000 



Bill of lading for three parcels of furs shipped froim New 
Amsterdam by Jan Baptist van Rensselaer in the Elbitick 77 

May 29, 7(555 

I, Jan Jansc Visscr, of Amsterdam, skipper under 
God of my vessel named elbinck, which now at the 
present moment lies ready at New Amsterdam to sail 
with the first favorable wind which God will grant to 
Amsterdam, which shall be my true place of unload- 
ing, witness and declare that I have received into the 
a hold of my aforesaid ship from you Johannes rcnselacr, 

T* to wit, three parcels of peltries, all dry and in good 

. Aj condition and marked with the mark hereto affixed, 

V/ all of which I promise to deliver (if God grants me a 

No i: 2 & 3 safe voyage) by means of the aforesaid ship at Am- 
sterdam aforesaid to the worthy patroon and co- 
directors of the colony of Rcnsselacrswyck or to his 
factor or deputies, provided I am paid for freight of 
the aforesaid goods 20 guilders and eight stivers and 



« V. R. B. Mss 47. Written on a printed blank 11.3 x 22.5cm. Written parts are 
printed in italics. 



744 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

three stivers per guilder for average in addition to 
the average according to maritime usage. 

And to fulfil what is written above, I bind myself 
and all my possessions and my aforesaid ship with all 
its belongings. In testimony of the truth, I have 
signed with my name or there have been signed by 
my clerk for me, three bills of lading, 78 all of the same 
tenor, one being receipted, the other two to be of no 
value. Written in Nczv Nctherland the 29th day of 
May 1653. 

[signed] Jan Jansz visscher 

Petition of Anna Van Wely and others for appraisal of houses 
and lots in Amsterdam belonging to the estate of the late 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer, with appraisers' report 79 

November 6 and 8, 1653 

Chin Segcl 

2 st. [signed] / bruijningh 

To the honorable gentlemen of the honorable Court 
of the city of Amsterdam. 
Schepens appoint show with due revere nce, Anna van Wely, widow 

the Hon. Pieter J 

Adrianss Raep, of the late kiliaan van Rensselaer, of the first part, also 
Hcm^ln^Arcnt i can van Rcnsselaar, her stepson, of the second part, 
Dirckss Bosch anc j j oan va n Wclij and Wouter van Tzvillcr, guard- 

for the purpose . . , , .. . . 

as herein re- *ans of the minor children of the aforesaid Anna van 
quested. Done Wclij begotten by the aforesaid Kiliaan van Rens- 

tlie 6th of J ° _ 

November 1653 sclaar, of the third part, that to the estate of the de- 

Present : Messrs ceasec ] belong several houses and lots which could not be 

Vaickcnicr* divided at the settlement without previous knowledge 

J : muittet** and Q f me va ] uc f cac h am i ' m order that the same may 

Dr Ernst/ 1 , _ 

schepens be made impartially, the petitioners respectfully pray 

JV^T Ba ker** ma ^ y our honors will please to appoint and authorize 



" 8 Connosscmcntoi. 

™ V. R. B. Mss 48. 

8 " Or C.illis Valckenier. 

91 Joan Munster. 

M I>r Roetert Ernst. 

83 Dr Willem Jorisz Backer, secretary. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 745 

three persons to make such impartial valuation and 
appraisal as the said persons shall think proper. 
Which doing etc. 
[signed] Anna van Weely, widow of Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer deceased 
Johan Van Rensselaer 
Jchan van Weely 
ivouter van Twiller 

In accordance with the above written commission, we, the under- 
written, after inspection appraised the following houses and lots 
(though subject to correction) and declare the same to be worth, 
at the regular season, namely : 

The large house on the Kaysers graft, about 32 feet 

wide, the lot 170 feet deep f23O0O 

The smallest, next to it, lot 170 feet deep f 9000 

The other, occupied by Domine Rode, lot 170 feet _ 

deep f 12000 

Two houses in Wolf street, each 6000 guilders, 

together f 12000 

The house de Roos, by the nieu zyds churchyard f 7000 

£63000 
In testimony whereof, signed the 8th of November 1653. 

[signed] Ysbrant Hem 

Pieter Ad r . Raap 
Arcnt. d. Bosch 
[Endorsed] 

Anna van Wely, widow 
Valuation of the houses. 



746 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Leases and agreements relating to the farms, sawmills, planta- 
tions and other property in the colony of Rensselaerswyck 84 

August 25, 1650 — September 11, 1658 

OFFER OF LEASE OF GRIST- AND SAWMILLS ON THE FIFTH CREEK TO 
THE HIGHEST BIDDER AND MEMORANDUM THAT IT HAS BFFIV 
GRANTED TO JACOB JANSZ FL0DDER 85 

January 29 and February 2, 1654 

The director and commissioners of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck desire this day, the 29th of January of the year 1654, to 
lease to the highest bidder the grist- and sawmills situated and 
being on the fifth creek, 86 upon the following conditions. 

First, the mills shall tie delivered to the lessee in working order 
with all that the former lessee received with them ; he shall keep 
the aforesaid mills in working order and at the end of the term 
of his lease again deliver them up in working order ; but if he 
removes the mills to another place or rebuilds them, he shall at the 
end of his lease receive 400. guilders. 

The lease shall be for eight consecutive years, beginning the 18th 
of May of this year 1654. 87 



84 V. R. B. Mss 45, entitled: Extract Vande Bouwerijen, Saeghmolcns, Plantagien 
ende Anders. Concernerende de Colonie Van Rcnsselacrswijck , 64P. folio. This 
manuscript consists of a series of certified copies of leases and agreements which, with 
the exception of one instrument, dated Aug. 25, 1650, were executed during the ad- 
ministration of Jan Baptist van Rensselaer as director of the colony. It was ap- 
parently prepared by Dirck van Hamel for the use of Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
shortly before the latter's departure for Holland in September 1658, at which time the 
account books of the colony were closed and duplicates for use in Holland were also 
prepared. A comparison with these account books shows that the manuscript in- 
cludes every farm and mill for which rent was charged at the time of its preparation, 
those referred to in the memoranda on p. 770, 772, 775, being apparently farms and mills 
which continued to be occupied but for which the leases had not yet been renewed. 
The arrangement of the leases is not by date but by locality. Of the originals from 
which the manuscript was prepared, none but the lease to Cornelis Hendricksz van 
Nes, Aug. 25, 1650, are at present among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. May 11, 1650, 
Jeremias van Rensselaer writes to his brother, Jan Baptist van Rensselaer: "and it 
you have not yet looked over the papers which you took with you, please do so, for 
among them must be some contracts which can not be found here, such as the con- 
tracts of Cornelis van nes. jan hchness., the goijes kit, the iioornnins kil and some 
other papers. The instruction of September 4, 1647, to the director and commissioners 
can not be found either, so that you will please send that or see to it that another is 
made according to which we can govern ourselves." See copies of letters of Jeremias 
van Rensselaer, 1657—59, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. 

85 V. R. B. Mss 45, p. 1. 

80 Now ( 1 <" Patroon's Creek, in the northern part of the city of Albany. 
87 According to the account books of the colony, the mills wore leased to Rutger 
Jacobsz and Barent Pietersz till May 18, 1654, at 550 guilders a year. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 747 

Within two years from the commencement of the lease two new 
millstones shall be furnished for the grist-mill. 

The lessee shall pay once for the expenses connected with the 
leasing one stiver on each guilder ami annually as toepacht ss eight 
fowls. 

The lessee shall always and before others accommodate the 
farms, especially those which are far away, because of the greater 
amount of the wages involved, and further help every one as fast 
as possible. 

To the mills shall be furnished two stallions or geldings which 
the lessee shall use without any payment therefor. The horses 
shall be appraised at the commencement of the lease and the lessee 
shall bear the risk. At the end of the lease they shall be appraised 
again and their decrease in value made good by the lessee. 

Payments must be made promptly each year in good, strung sea- 
wan or merchantable beavers. 

The price of grinding remains as before. 

The lessee shall submit himself to the honorable court of the 
aforesaid colony as well as to the ordinances already passed or to be 
passed hereafter. 

The lessee shall be obliged to furnish two sufficient sureties, who 
shall submit themselves to the honorable court aforesaid. 

No one shall be allowed to take as surety a member of the court 
of the aforesaid colony. 

The lessee shall immediately pay the secretary a fee of two rix- 
dollars. 

In leasing the mills, the same rules shall be followed which have 
been observed heretofore by the honorable court. 

These conditions being understood by the hearers, every one is 
to suit his own interest. Was signed : Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
Anthonius de Hoogcs, Arcnt van Curler. 

Jacob Ianss. Flodder has leased the aforesaid mills on the above 
conditions for 1906 guilders a year and Sander Leendertsz. Glen 
and Willem Fredricxss, van Leyden offer themselves on behalf of 
Iacob Ians.-j. aforesaid as bondsmen and sureties for the fulfilment 
of the above conditions, for which the lessee and the sureties, each 
one for himself, submits his person and property, movable and im- 
movable, owned at present or to be acquired hereafter, to the juris- 
diction of the honorable court of the colony of R: JVyck, or where 
it may be most convenient to the lessors or their successors. In 



• 8 toepackt; literally, an additional rent, usually in kind, in recognition of the feudal 
rights of the patroon. j 



74^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

witness whereof, Jacob Jansz, Floddcr, as lessee, and Sander Leen- 
dertsz. and J I'M cm Fredricxss., as sureties, have signed these with 
their own hands. Done in R: Wyck, the 2d of Fehruary 1654. 
Was signed: Jacob jansscn F ladder, Sander Leeiidcrtsen Glen, 
the mark X of willem Fredricxsz. van Leyden, made with his 
own hand. 

AGREEMENT ABOUT CHANGES IN THE ABOVE LEASE 89 

June 2, 1654 

On the 19th of May 1654, Jacob jansz. Floddcr took over the 
mills at the fifth creek on the aforesaid conditions. It is found, 
however, that the sawmill has fallen considerably into decay, which 
at the end of the lease will be taken into proper consideration. 
On the date aforesaid there were delivered to Jacob Jansz. two 
stallions which upon request have been appraised by Goosen Gcr- 
ritsz, and Cornells Cornclisz. van voorhout, the stallion taken from 
Cornells aforesaid at 240 guilders and that from de Hoogenberch^ 
at 200 guilders. 

Without prejudice to the preceding lease, as the aforesaid mills 
are found greatly out of repair, the director, Johan Baptista van 
Rensselaer, and the commissioners have further agreed and con- 
tracted with Jacob Jansz. Floddcr together with Willem freder- 
ic.vsz. and Sander Leendertsz, sureties for the aforesaid Jacob, that 
the term of the lease shall be extended and prolonged four years, 
so that it shall run 12 years, but only 10 years' rent shall be paid, 
two years' rent to be equally distributed- over the 12 years and each 
year deducted," 1 while on the other hand the mention in the contract 
of 400 guilders for the renewing or removing of the mills shall be 
annulled and void. And in case they should erect another grist- 
mill on the aforesaid creek they shall pay no rent for it during the 
aforesaid period and the patroon and codirectors shall on the ex- 
piration of the lease take over the newly erected mill at its proper 
valuation and during the aforesaid time no other grist-mill may be 
erected on the said creek. All of which, being done without guile 
or deceit, the contracting parties have confirmed with their signa- 
tures. R. Wyck, the 2d of June 1654. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V : Ham el, Secretary. 



89 / '. R. B. Mss 45, p.3. 

"II" name oi one of the farms; see p. 769. 

'" Thai is, the renl is reduced by one sixth, in accordance wherewith Flodder is 
charged in the account books of the colony with a yearly rent of 1588 guilders and six 
stivers, instead of 1906 guilders, the amount stated in the preceding lease. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 749 



TRANSFER OF LEASE OF MAIZE LAND, BEHIND LAND OF CORNELIS 
TEUNISZ VAN BREUCKELEN, FROM ABRAHAM STEVENSZ TO 
BARENT PIETERSZ COEYMANS, AND EXTENSION OF THE SAID 
LEASE 92 

March i, 1655 
Copy 

At Easter of this year 1654, 93 I, Barent Pietersz., took over from 
Abraham Stevensz., two years' lease of the maize land lying behind 
the land of Cornells Teunisse 04 and have further leased the afore- 
said land from Ian Batist van Rensselaer, director of the colony of 
Rensselaer, for the four succeeding years, for the sum of f24 a 
year. In testimony of the truth I have signed this with my own 
hand, the first of March 1655, in Rensselaerswyck. Was signed: 
jan Baptist van Rensselaer, this is the mark X of Barent Pietersz 
made with his own hand. 

Agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
Still leased as above. [signed] D: V: Hamcl, Secretary. 

LEASE OF WATER POWER OF THE UPPER MILL ON THE FIFTH CREEK 
TO BARENT PIETERSZ COEYMANS AND TEUNIS CORNELISZ VAN 
SPITSBERGEN 95 

December 14, 1654 

Copy 

This day the 14th of December 1654, Mr Iohan Baptista van 
Rensselaer, in his capacity of director of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck, has agreed and contracted with Barent Pietersz. and Tennis 
■van Spitzbergen concerning the lease of the water power of the 



»= V. R.B. Mss 45- ps- , , , 

<*descs Iacrs 1654; apparently a mistake for des laers 1654, of the year 1054. 
Abraham Stevensz leased the Valcijc behind the farm of Broer Cornells on Feb. 3, 
1650 for four or six years, at an annual rent of one and a half beavers, taking upon 
himself all the expenses; Gcrcchts Rollc, 1648-52. f-47b, among the Rensselaerswyck 
Mss Barent Pietersz apparently took over the two years' lease from Feb. 3, i°54, to 
Feb. 3, 1656, and then March 1, 165s, had the lease extended from 1656 to 1660. 
Abraham Stevensz is in the Gcrcchts Rollc and in the account books frequently re- 
ferred to as dc Croact, the Croatian. Not unlikely he had come to Holland with the 
bands of Croatians who under Ernst, count of Montecucculi, invaded the Veluwe and 
the Gooi in 1629. Barent Pietersz appears in the Rensselaerswyck Mss, under date 
of 1647, as Barent Pietersz Koijemans. 

« The farm of Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen was situated some distance north of 
the Patroon's Creek. See p. 75 '• 

•» V. R. B. Mss 45. P-6. 



750 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

upper mill™ on the fifth creek in the aforesaid colony, namely, that 
they may use the same for the space of six successive years, com- 
mencing on the date above written, on condition that the aforesaid 
lessees pay Mr van Rensselaer or his successors, the sum of 150 
guilders a year in merchantable goods at market prices. In testi- 
mony whereof both parties have confirmed these presents with their 
signatures. Agreed on the date as above. Was signed: Jan Bap- 
tist van Rensselaer, this is the mark X of Barent Pietcrsa., made 
with his own hand, Tennis Corneliss. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V : Hamcl, Secretary. 

PERMISSION TO BARENT PIETERSZ COEYMANS AND TEUNIS CORNELISZ 
VAX SPITSBERGEN TO ERECT ANOTHER SAWMILL ON THE CREEK 97 

August j, 165 6 
Copy 

This day, date underwritten, Mr jan Baptist van Rcnsslacr, di- 
rector of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, has contracted and agreed 
with Barent Pietersz. and Tennis Comelisa van Spitsbergen, as fol- 
lows : the director gives them permission to erect another sawmill 08 
above the sawmill situated at the fifth creek, which said mill they 
may use for the space of 10 years next ensuing, commencing when 
the first board shall be sawed. They shall pay as an annual rent, 
for the first three years after they begin to saw, the sum of 100 
guilders, and for the remaining seven years, 125 guilders, payments 
to be made in good merchantable goods, either boards or good, 
strung seawan. In testimony whereof, parties have confirmed these 



00 According to the account books nf the colony this was a sawmill, formerly owned 
by Rutger Jacobs? and Barent Pietersz who, Dec. 14, 1654, are charged with six years' 
rent for water power at 125 guilders a year. It was called the bovenste molen, or 
upper mill, on account of its location on the fifth creek relatively to that of the com- 
bination saw and grist-mill belonging to the patroon and codirectors, for which, May 18, 
1654, Rutger Jacobs and Barent Pietersz are charged with six years' rent at 550 
guilders a year and which after that date was leased to Jacob Jansz Plodder at 1588 
guilders and six stivers a year (see p. 746). A third mill, which was erected in 1656 
at the expense of Barent Pietersz and Teunis Cornelisz van Spitsbergen, in accordance 
with the agreement printed below, is in the account books usually referred to as the 
alderbovenste molen, the uppermost mill, but in some entries as the bovenste molen, 
in which cases the mill mentioned in the present lease is called the onderste molen, 
the lower mill. 

07 V. R. B. Mss 45. P-7- 

09 In the account books of the colony among the Rensselaerswyck Mss this mill is 
usually referred to as the alderbovenste molen, the uppermost mill. Sec note to pre- 
ceding lease. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 75 1 

with their usual signatures. Done in Rensselaerswyck, the third 
of August 1656. Was signed: jan Baptist van Rensselaer, the 
mark X of Bar cut Pictcrsz., made with his own hand, Teunis 
Cornelisse. 

The first board, the ist of August 1657. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V: Hamcl, Secretary. 

LEASE OF FARM, NORTH OF THE FIFTH CREEK, TO JOHAN DE HULTER 09 

March ? , 1634 
Copy 

Mr Johan Baptista van Rensselaer, director of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, has agreed and contracted with Mr Iohan de 
Hulter regarding the lease of a farm situated from the fifth creek 
north to the farm of Cornel is Teunisz van breuckelen, on the fol- 
lowing conditions. 

The lessee shall accept the aforesaid farm with its house, barn 
and barracks as they are delivered to him at the beginning of the 
lease, the risk and care of the aforesaid buildings to be borne 
equally by the lessor and the lessee, general war excepted, in which 
case the lessor takes the entire charge upon himself. Fences and 
all other expenses, of whatever nature they may be, are to be at the 
charge of the lessee alone. 

The lease shall run for six successive years, commencing the first 
of May 1654, at the yearly rent of 275 guilders in merchantable 
grain, wheat counted at 10 guilders and oats at four guilders a 
mudde. 

For use on the farm are delivered three mares, one stallion, one 
gelding and four milch cows, one half of the increase to go to the 
lessor and the other half to the lessee, provided that at the expira- 
tion of the lease the lessee must first of all turn over the number 
of animals furnished to him and if then there is found to be any 
increase, it shall be divided as aforesaid. 

The lessee shall yearly pay tithes of all grain as on other farms, 
also the toepacht just as others. 

To avoid all disputes, the house, barn and barracks shall be ap- 
praised and the increase or decrease in value estimated accordingly. 

For all that is above written and. for the execution thereof the, 

» V, H, P: Mss 45, P . 8, 



752 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

lessee binds his person and estate., nothing excepted, submitting 
them to all courts and justices. In testimony whereof, the con- 
tracting parties have confirmed this with their signatures, in 
Rensselaerswyck, the 7th day of March 1654. Was signed: jau 
Baptist van Rensselaer, Johan de hulter. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V : Hamel, Secretary. 

RENEWAL OF LEASE OF FARM TO CORNELIS TEUNISZ VAN BREUCKELEN 
(CORNELIS ANTHONISZ VAN SCHLICK) AND JEAN LABATIE 1 

August 28, 1652 
Copy 

Mr Iohan Baptistc van Rensselaer, director, and the commis- 
sioners of the colony of Rensselaerswyck have this day, the 28th 
of August 1652, again leased and rented the farm used to this day 
by Cornells Anthoniss. van Breuckelcn 2 to the aforesaid Cornells 
Anthonisz. and Iohan Labatje in company on the following con- 
ditions. 

I 

First, the lessees bind themselves to have built at the first op- 
portunity a dwelling house, barn and barracks on the high ground 
in the pasture of the aforesaid farm, at their expense without any 
charge to the lord patroon and the codirectors. 

2 

As to the dwelling house, it shall belong to the lessees without 
any obligation on the part of the owners of the colony to take it 
over; but the lessees may for their own profit dispose of it to the 
next lessee. 

3 
The barn and the barracks shall be appraised by impartial judges 
when they arc completed and again at the expiration of the lease, 
and the [excess of the] last appraisal shall be deducted from the last 
rent. 

4 

All expenses, such as stockades, farm implements and other 
necessaries are to be at the charge of the lessees alone. 

1 V. R. B. Mss 45, p. 10. 

2 For location of this farm, sec preceding lease. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOVVIER MANUSCRIPTS 753 

5 

The lease shall run six consecutive years, commencing on the 
date above written and ending on the same date at the expiration 
of said period. 

6 

The lessees shall the first two years pay an annual rent of 500 
guilders without tithes, and this for the reason that they have to 
expend money on the building; the last four years annually 500 
guilders as rent and 100 guilders as tithes. 

7 
Payment shall be made in grain, wheat at 10 guilders, oats at 
four guilders a mudde, promptly each year without postponing 
it to another year ; and if they do not pay in grain they must turn 
over good beavers at market prices to the required amount. 



They shall receive in hand 3 horses and ''cows, one half of tin 
increase of which shall be theirs provided that they may not sell 
their share outside the colony except with special consent. 

9 
For the fulfilment of which conditions, the lessees bind their 
respective property, movable and immovable, now possessed or 
to be obtained hereafter, subject to the jurisdiction of the court here 
or wherever it may be most convenient to the lessors. 

And instead of sureties, the lessees pledge the dwelling house, 
barn and barracks which they are to have built at their own ex- 
pense as above mentioned. Done as above. Was signed : Cor- 
nells Anthonisen van Salick* 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V : Hamcl, Secretary. 
Still leased as above. 



3 Blank in original. 

4 Evidently an error of the copyist for van Schlick, as he signs his name in N. Y. 
Col. Mss, 2:i6o. Sec note on p. 255-56. 

48 



754 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



LEASE OF WATER POWER, ON THE MILL CREEK SOUTH OF FARM OCCU- 
PIED BY JAN BARENTSZ WEMP, TO ABRAHAM PIETERSZ VOSBURGH 
AND HANS JANSZ VAN ROTTERDAM 5 

September 50, 1656 
Copy 

On this day, the last of September, Mr Ian Baptist van Rens- 
selaer, director of the colony of R. Wyck, as lessor, and Abraham 
Pieterss. vosburch, with Hans Ianss. van Rotterdam, as lessees, 
have agreed and contracted about the water power on the mill 
creek 6 south of the farm now occupied by Ian Barentss Wemp, on 
the following conditions. 

The lease shall commence on the first of January of next year, 
1657, and continue six successive years at 100 guilders or 100 
good merchantable boards and two pair 7 of fowls each year, the 
boards to be delivered at the water's edge of the river. The lessees 
may plant a garden and also keep some horses, cows and hogs 
but upon the express condition that the farm of Ian Barentss 
aforesaid shall not be injured or inconvenienced thereby and that 
they must enclose the land which they want to use for their horses 
or cows with a good fence. The aforesaid lessees further ex- 
pressly promise, each one for himself, that they will not in any 
way, either directly or indirectly, sell or cause to be sold to the 
savages any brandy, good beer or any liquor by whatever name 
it may be called, on the forfeiture of the share in the mill of the 
one who is found to have committed the offense, without any ex- 
ceptions or excuses. They further submit themselves to the 
orders, regulations and ordinances of the honorable court of this 
colony of Rensselacrswyck, both those which are already issued 
and those which may be issued in the future; and for the fulfil- 
ment of what is above written the lessees besides their persons and 
goods pledge the aforesaid mill by way of mortgage, and to that 
end the lessor as well as the lessees have confirmed these with 
their own signatures, without guile or deceit. Done at R. Wyck, 
on the date as above. Was signed : jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 



6 V. R. B. Mss 45, p. 13. 

Wynant's Kill, on the cast side of the Hudson River, in the southern part of the 
city of Troy. This creek wag bought from the Indians. Jan, !J, 1651; see Pole Qn 
P- 755-56. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 755 

Abraham Pieterscn vosburch, the mark X of Hans Iansscn van 
Rotterdam, made with his own hand. Below was written : In 
my presence, D: V : Hamel, secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

LEASE OF FARM BETWEEN THE TWO CREEKS, LAST OCCUPIED BY 
THOMAS CHAMBERS, TO JAN BARENTSZ WEMP 8 

November iS, 1654 
Copy 

On the date underwritten, Mr Iohan Bap*, van Rensselaer, di- 
rector, and the commissioners of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
have agreed and contracted with Ian Barentsz. Wemp respecting 
the lease of the farm last occupied by Thomas Chamber in the 
aforesaid colony, upon the following conditions. 

I 

The lessee shall use the land between the two creeks as cultivated 
by Thomas Chamber, and if the adjoining land can be obtained 
from the savages, he shall use it with the aforesaid land, without 
further charges than those mentioned in this contract. 



The house, barn and barracks shall at the first opportunity be 
appraised by experienced men, the risk and charge of the same 



8 V . R. B. Mss 45, p. 15. The farm referred to in this lease was established by- 
Thomas Chambers under a contract with the officers of the colony, dated Sept. 7, 1646, 
which is found in Copijc van eenige Aden en andere Aenmerckelijcke Notitien, 1643— 
48, p.74-78, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. The land is described as being " situated 
obliquely opposite the farm called de Vlackte, on the east side of the river, between 
the two creeks," by which is meant the land between the present Wynant's and 
Poesten Kills, in the southern part of the city of Troy. The contract provides that 
Thomas Chambers shall use the said land for the period of five years, commencing 
Nov. 1, 1647; that he shall build at his own expense a barn, 60x28 feet, in all re- 
spects like the barn of Poentje, a dwelling house, 3^x1 S feet, hay barracks and a fence, 
and that at the end of the five years he shall surrender these to the patroon in lieu 
of rent; also, that he shall receive two mares, two stallions and four cows, and that 
each year he shall pay tithes and, as an acknowledgement, 251b of butter. The con- 
tract provides further that if there is an opportunity to erect a sawmill, Thomas 
Chambers shall have the preference, and that at the end of the five years he may 
rid the term of his lease for three years, on payment of an annual rent of fsoo, 
in addition to tithes. In the account books of the colony, Thomas Chambers is 
charged with tithes from 1647 to 1652, and with rent and tithes from 1652 to 1654. 
July 14, 1654, Thomas Chambers surrendered his farm, dwelling house, barn and_ bay 



756 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

during the term of the lease to be shared half and half by the 
lessors and by the lessee, except in case of general war, when the 
lessee shall not have to bear any of the charges. 

3 

All expenses of whatever nature shall be defrayed by the lessee, 
who is also solely responsible for the fences. 

4 
The lessee receives four mares, one stallion and four cows, 
which he must return at the end of the lease or replace from the 
increase; half the increase of the said horses and cattle shall belong 
to the lessee. 

5 
The lease of the said farm commences at stubble time of this 
year 1654 and shall end the first day of May 1659. 

6 

The winter seeding which is put into the ground during the 
last year of the lease shall be appraised in the latter part of May 
after the expiration of the lease and the next tenant must take it 
at its valuation and pay the tithes upon it. 



barracks and gave a promissory note to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer for £1388:3. Soon 
after he moved to the Esopus, where he had bought land June 5, 1652. As far as 
any records show, the farm of Thomas Chambers was the first one to be established on 
the east side of the river, north of the present city of Rensselaer, while the tract on 
which it was located was probably the first to be purchased from the Indians in that 
vicinity. (See note to the certificate of purchase of Aug. 13, 1630, on p. 167.) 
Jan. 27, 1651, according to a certificate- among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, the commis- 
sioners of the colony bought from the Indians a " certain creek situated south of the 
farm of Thomas Chambers and north of Monamin's Castle, with the surrounding wood 
and the adjoining land and the jurisdiction tl'creof, to the castle, obliquely opposite 
the bouse of Broer Cornelis." This refers apparently to the purchase of the Wynant's 
Kill and to a tract of land to the south of it, in spite of the fact that Monamin's, or 
Monemin's Castle appears on the parchment map of the colony, reproduced in this 
volume, as lying at the mouth of the Mohawk, on what is now called Peobles Island. 
The lease speaks of an eventual purchase of adjoining land. This refers to land on 
the Pocstcn Kill, for which a Confirmatory patent was issued to Sweer Tennis/ van 
velsen on April 13, 1667. From this patent we learn that "a Certain pcell of Land 
lying neer Albany on the other side of the Creek or Kill beginning from the Mill on 
the Creek and to goc on over the sd : Creek unto the Great Meadow Ground where- 
about Sixty six paces the Trees are markt " was " in the Yeare 1650 Purchased of 
the Indyan Proprietors by Ian Barcntscn Wemp with the Leave and Consent of Ian 
Baptist van Rensselaer and Arent Van Corkier." The purchase evidently covered the 
Poesten Kill, so named after Jan Barcntsz Wemp, also called Poest, and a narrow 
strip of land to the north of said kill. The year of the purchase, though coinciding 
with the expiration of the lease of the farm between the Wynant's and Poesten Kills, 
may not be correctly given in the patent, as Jan Baptist van Rensselaer' left the colony 
in the fall of 1658. It is interesting to note that the issue of a patent to Sweer 
Teunisz shows that Wemp must have bought the land in his own name. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 757 

7 

As rent for the use of what is described above, the lessee shall 
pay the aforementioned director or his successor yearly, promptly 
and without delay, the sum of 600 guilders, that is for four and 
a half years' lease 2700 guilders, over and above the yearly tithes 
and toepacht, in merchantable grain, the wheat at 10 guilders and 
the oats at four guilders a mudde. 

8 

And as bondsmen and sureties for the terms of this contract and 
for the due performance of the same, offer themselves Rutger 
Iacobsz. and Goossen Gerritss. } to that end, subjecting themselves 
to the honorable court of the aforesaid colony. 

Ian Barentss. aforesaid promises further to conduct himself dili- 
gently and honestly as an upright colonist should, submitting him- 
self to the laws and ordinances of the aforesaid colony, for which 
purpose the aforesaid parties together with the sureties have signed 
this with their own hands. Done this 18th of November, 1654. 
Was signed: jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Anthonius de Hooges, 
the ordinary mark iB of Ian Barentss. made with his own hand, 
and as sureties, Rutger Iaeobss., the mark X of Goossen Gerritss. 
made with his own hand. 

Below was written : This contract is extended for two years at 
the request of Ian Barentss. Wcmp, on condition that the sureties 
of the contract are satisfied therewith, the 21st of August 1658 
in Rensselaerswyck. Was signed : Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
this is the mark iB of Ian Barents.::. JTemp made with his own hand, 
Rutger Iacobss., the mark X of Goossen Gerritss. made with his 
own hand. Still lower was written: In my presence, D: V : Hdmel, 
Secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D V Haiuel, Secretary. 

This lease still continues as above. 



75§ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



AGREEMENT ABOUT LEASE OF A PARCEL OF LAND ON THE EAST SIDE 
OF THE RIVER, OPPOSITE DEN SACK, TO GOOSSEN GERRITSZ AND 
THOMAS JANSZ 9 

September 11, 1658 
Copy 

Mr Ian Baptist van Rensselaer, director of the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck, as lessor and Goosen Gerritsz. 10 as lessee together 
with Thomas Iansz: have contracted and agreed about a certain 
parcel of land lying on the east side of the river opposite den 
sack 11 the lease of which commenced on the 1st of May 1655 and 
shall continue for the space of 10 successive years 12 at an annual 
rent of 40 guilders besides the tithes and two pair of fowls as 
toepacht and in case any expenses have been, or are to be incurred 
to keep the natives of this country out of the said land, the said 
expenses shaH be at the charge of the lessor and be deducted from 
the rent. Thus done and agreed, this nth of September 1653 
without fraud. In testimony whereof, the contracting parties have 
confirmed this with their own signatures, in the colony of R. Wyck, 
date as above. Was signed: /: B: van Rensselaer, the mark X of 
Goossen Gerritsz, made with his own hand, the mark X of Thomas 
Ianssen, made with his own hand. To my knowledge, D: V: 
Ilamel, Secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D V Hamel, Secretary. 

LEASE OF LAND ON ISLAND OPPOSITE BEVERWYCK TO ARENT ANDRIESZ 13 

May i, 1658 
Copy 

This day, the 1st of May 1658, Mr Ian Baptist van Rensselaer, 
director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, has agreed and con- 



9 V. R. B. Mss 45, p. 1 8. 

10 Given in Account Book, 1634-38, among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, as Goosen ger- 
rctsz van westcrbrocck ; first entry dated April 8, 1637. The same book gives Cornelis 
Teunisz Bos, commonly called van Westhroeck, as Cornelis Theunissen van wester- 
broeck, first entry dated April 8, 1637. It seems most likely that westcrbrocck refers 
to Westbroek, in the province of Utrecht, though there is a Westerbroek, also called 
Westbroek, in the province of Groningen. The children of Goossen Gerritsz used the 
name van Schaick. 

" Literally, the cove, or hollow. 

'-It is nut clear whether tin- in years arc from May I, 1655, or from Sept. 11, 165S. 
The account bonks of tin- colony record the payment of rent and tithes from May I, 
1655, to May 1, 1658, but contain no accounts with (loosen Gerritsz and Thomas 
Jans/, after Sept. 11, 1658, so that the above lease would seem to have been canceled. 

13 V. R. B. Mss 45, p. 1 9. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 759 

tr acted with Arent Adriessen, about the lease of all the tilled land 
on the island opposite the center of the village of Beverzvyck u 
with all the land which he can further obtain from the natives of 
this country, with the exception of land already cultivated by the 
honorable van Rensselaer which his honor keeps for himself, and 
this for the sum of ioo guilders a year besides tithes and two 
fowls as toepacht, to be paid in good wheat and oats, the wheat to 
be delivered at 10 guilders a mudde and the oats at four guilders 
a mudde, and in case the lessee should be prevented from using the 
said land by the savages or otherwise, he shall be free from the 
obligations of the lease and not pay for such period as he does not 
have the use of the said land. The lease shall continue for the 
space of four years commencing today. In testimony whereof, 
Mr Rcnsslacr and Arent aforesaid have confirmed this with their 
signatures, without fraud ; in R. Wyck, date as above. Was 
signed: /: B: van Rensselaer, Arent Andries. Below was written: 
In my presence, D V Hamel, Secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, 
which I certify, 
[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

RENEWAL OF LEASE OF FARM AND WATER TOWER IN GREENBUSII TO 



15 



EVERT PELS 

May 1, 1653 
Copy 

Evert Pels promises by his signature, hereto affixed, that this 
winter without further delay he will make prompt and full pay- 
ment in merchantable grain to the director of this colony for all 
debts remaining unpaid according to the accounts; and in case 
of his failure to do so, the following contract shall be void and of 
no effect. 

On the date underwritten the honorable Johan Baptista van 
Rensselaer, director, and the commissioners of the colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck have agreed and contracted with Evert Pels about the 
lease of the farm used by him to this date and now leased again 
on the following- conditions. 



14 over dc by ecu wooninge der durpe Bcverwyck. In the account books among the 
Rensselaerswyi k Mss, the island is referred to as lying opposite the fort; it is ap- 
parently what is now known as Boston or Van Rensselaer Island. 

'■'• / '. R. B. Mss 45, p.20. 



76o NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



The lessee shall use the old plowed land and the other as 
before. 16 

2 

As to the house, barn and barracks, the lessee shall deliver them 
up in the same condition as he received them, according to the 
inspection and valuation of competent persons, and Evert Pels 
shall furnish the carpenter and others who are to work on the new 
barn with meat and drink at his own expense and shall furnish all 
the heavy timber at the place of building, also at his own expense 
without making any charges therefor. As to other materials, such as 
boards, hardware and the roof which Evert Pels is to furnish for 
the barn, as well as the wages of the workmen, these shall be at 
the charge of the lessors. 

What the lessee advances will be credited to him in the next 
rent. The lessee must further each year repair the aforesaid 
buildings and keep them in proper order and on the expiration of 
the lease deliver them with tight sides and roofs, one half of the 
risk to be borne, by the lessors and the other by the lessee, except 
in case of general war, in which case the lessee shall not have to 
bear any of the loss, as aforesaid. 

3 

The lessee shall take upon himself alone all expenses of what- 
ever nature they may be. 

4 
The lessee shall have the use of as many animals as there are on 
the farm at present, one half of the increase to be his on condition 
that he do not sell or remove his share without consent of the 
authorities here. There have been delivered to him 1T horses and 
17 cows. 

5 
At the expiration of his lease, the lessee shall turn over the 
seeded land to the next tenant upon an appraisal to be made in the 
latter part of May. 



18 De huyrder sal gebruycken het oude Bouwlandi ende hei andere als ;•<>!<»• desen; 
het andere refers t<> newly cleared land. Cf. lease t<> Cornells Hendricksz van Nes, 
AiiK- -'5. i<>5<>. I>. 762-63. 

17 Blank in original. 



VAN RENSSELAEk BuvVIER MANUSCRIPTS 76I 

6 

And during the first years of his lease, he shall spread the 
manure over the land and cut down or kill the trees which stand 
in the way. 

7 
The lessee shall pay promptly each year, as rent of the aforesaid 
farm, in addition to the tithes, 400 guilders in • merchantable grain, 
wheat at 10 and oats at four guilders a mudde, the toepacht being 
the same as on other farms. 

8 

The lease runs for the next four consecutive years, commencing 
on the first of May 1653. 

9 
It is further agreed that Evert Pels for the use of the water 
power and the logs for the two mills shall promptly pay each year 
125 guilders in merchantable boards, the period commencing and 
ending as above. 

10 
The lessee must provide two sufficient sureties for the rent and 
the fulfilment of the contract. 

11 

For all that is written above, Evert pels and his sureties pledge 
their respective possessions, movable and immovable, now owned 
or to be acquired hereafter, none excepted, submitting them to the 
honorable court of the aforesaid colony or wherever it may be 
convenient to the lessors. 

12 

Finally, the lessee promises to conduct himself quietly, faithfully 
and diligently, to observe all proper laws as an obedient subject and 
to pay proper respect to the director and commissioners as his law- 
ful superiors. In confirmation whereof, the lessee and the sureties 
have ratified this by their signatures. Agreed as above. Was 
signed : Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Anthonius dc Hooges, as com- 
missioners, Evert Pels. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 
This lease continues as before. 



762 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



LEASE OF LAND AT THE SOUTH END OF GREENBUSH, FORMERLY OCCU- 
PIED BY TEUNIS CORNELISZ VAN VECIITEN, TO CORNELIS HEN- 
DRICKSZ VAN NES llS 

August 25, 1650 

The farm of Cornells van Nes. 

This day, the 25th of August 1650, the honorable director, com- 
missioners and councilors of the colony of R. Wyck have contracted 
and agreed with Cornells Hendrlcxsz van es about the lease of the 
farm heretofore occupied by Tenuis Cornellsz van vechten, including 
six morgens of the farm of Teunls Dircxsz, also used by the above, 
on the following conditions. 

1 First, van es shall accept the aforesaid farm in its present con- 
dition and alone defray the cost of building house, barrack and 
barn as well as of stockades, wagon, plow and all farm implements, 
nothing excepted without any charge to the lord patroon, on con- 
dition that at the expiration of the lease they shall be the property 
of the aforesaid van es. 

2 Secondly, the lessee shall receive two mares and one stallion or 
gelding, and if no three or four year olds can be found among these 
the lessee must be satisfied with a two year old, also two cows ; one 
half of the increase of the aforesaid animals to be the property of 
van Es free from any preemptive right ; he may also keep his own 
animals without any requisition thereon. 

3 As to tithes, van Es shall pay these on the land that is at 
present cleared, that is, on the land of Teunls Dircxsz. — six, on the 
new land — three, total — nine morgens. On what land he clears 
hereafter, he shall be free from both rent and tithes. 

4 The lease commences at stubble time 1650 and shall run for 
eight successive years. 

5 The lessee must annually pay the director's tocpachtcn namely, 
two large schepels of wheat and two pair of fowls. 



18 V. R. B. Mss 45, p.23. The original of this lease, signed: B. V. Slichtenhorst, A: 
dc Hoogcs, Cornells Hendricks van ncs. Rat Jacobsen and the mark of Gonssen Ger- 
ritsetl made with his own hand, is found on f. 17-18 of Leases and contracts, 1648-32, 
among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. On f.15 of Hie same record is found an unsigned 
lease by van Slichtenhorst to Tennis Cortielisz, dated at the beginning Oct. 15, 1648 
and at the end April 1640. in which the land is described as being het Sttijet eijndc 
vant' grcenen bos, met ses morgens ouwt Landt von't noordt eijndc vande Bouwerije 
van Tennis Dircksc. (the south end of the pine wood, with six morgens of old land at 
the north end of the farm of Tennis Dircksz). 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 763 

6 For which said land the lessee shall annually pay the patroon 
or his agent the sum of 225 guilders in merchantable grain or 
other products at current prices, payments to be made twice a year, 
the first payment on St Martin's day 19 1651, the second on the 22d 
of February 1652, being St Peter's day, and so forth. Thus agreed 
in the colony of Rensselaerswyck on the date above written; in 
witness whereof, we have hereto set our hands. Was signed: 
B. v Sllchtenhorst, A. de Hooges, Cornells Hcndricxsz. van Nes, 
Rut Iacobsz., the mark X of Goosen Gerritsz. Underneath was 
written: Which I certify, A: dc Hooges, Secretary. 

Agrees with the copy, which I certify, 

[signed] D V Hamcl, Secretary. 
This lease continues as before. 

LEASE OF FARM IN GREENBUSH, NORTH OF THE FARM OF CORNELIS 
HENDRICKSZ VAN NES, TO AERT JACOBSZ 20 

May 1, 1654 
Copy 

Mr Johan Baptista van Rensselaer, director of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, has agreed and contracted with Aert Iacobsz. 
about the lease of a certain tract of land lying in the aforesaid 
colony in 't Greenebos, north of the farm of Cornells van Nes, on 
the following conditions. 

The lessee shall have the use of the aforesaid tract of land for 12 
successive years, commencing on the first of May 1654, and may 
enlarge and clear the said land as much as he is able, but without 
prejudice or detriment to the adjoining farms or any one else, 
provided that he shall alone defray all expenses of whatever nature 
they may be and that at the expiration of the lease he must turn 
over the cleared land to his honor aforesaid or his successor, freely 
and without receiving any compensation therefor, with the ex- 
ception of the fence, for which he shall be paid or compensated 
according to an appraisal by impartial persons. 

As to the rent, the lessee shall have the use of the land which 
is clear during the first two years without paying any rent or 
tithes, but the stipulated toepacht he must pay each year of the 
lease ; during the other 10 years the lessee shall for the use of the 
said land pay an annual rent of 25 guilders besides the tithes, in 



19 Nov. nth. 

» V. R. B. Mss 45. P-2S- 



764 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

merchantable [grain] or other current form of payment. The 
lessee may keep as many hogs as he can without damage to any 
one else. The lessee may keep two cows on the aforesaid land 
without paying anything for their pasturage. 

The lessee promises that during the term of the lease he will 
conduct himself as an obedient and humble colonist, submitting 
himself to the honorable court of the foresaid colony and to its 
laws and ordinances. In confirmation whereof, Mr Iohan Bap- 
tista van Rensselaer and Acrt Iacobsz, together with Schout 
Gerard Szvartt and Cornells van Nes, as witnesses thereto invited, 
have ratified this with their signatures. Done in the aforesaid 
colony on the date above written. Was signed: Johan Baptist van 
Rensselaer, Acrt Iacobscn. As witnesses: G: Swart, Cornells van 
Nes. Below was written : Executed to my knowledge, Anthonio 
de Hooges, Secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, 

which I certify, 
[signed] D: V : Hamel, Secretary. 

RENEWAL OF LEASE OF FARM SOUTH OF GREENRUSH TO TEUNIS 
DIRCKSZ VAN VECHTEN 21 

May 1, 1657 
Copy 

On the date underwritten, Mr Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, direc- 
tor, and the commissioners of the colony of Rensselaerswyck have 
agreed and contracted with Tennis Dircxss. about the lease of the 
farm used by him to this date and now leased again on the follow- 
ing conditions. 

1 

He shall use the old plowed land and the other 22 as before. 

2 

The lessee shall deliver up the house, barn and barracks in the 
same condition as he received them, according to the inspection, 
appraisal and valuation of persons of knowledge and competence 
to be chosen for that purpose. He must further each year repair 
them and keep them in proper order and on the expiration of the 
lease deliver them with tight sides and roofs, the risk of fire to be 

21 V. R. B. Mss 45, r-27. 
** See note p. 760. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 765 

borne half and half, except in case of general war, when the pa- 
troon shall bear the whole loss. 

3 

All expenses, of whatever nature they may be, are and remain 
at the sole charge of the lessee. 

4 
The lessee shall receive six horses, to wit, four full-grown mares, 
one two year old mare and one stallion, six cows among which four 
full-grown cows and two heifers, just as he received by the pre- 
ceding contract, one half of the increase to be his provided that he 
do not sell or remove his share out of this colony without special 
consent of the authorities here ; and the number of animals re- 
ceived he must make good from the increase and return. 

5 
At the expiration of his lease, the lessee shall turn the seeded 
land over to the next tenant upon an appraisal. 

6 

The lessee shall further during the first years of his lease spread 
the manure over the land and cut down or kill the trees that are 
in the way. 

7 
The lessee shall pay promptly each year as rent of the aforesaid 
farm 550 guilders in addition to the tithes ; in merchantable grain, 
wheat at 10 guilders and oats at four guilders a mudde. 

8 

The lease runs for the next six successive years, commencing the 
first of May 1657. 

9 
The lessee must provide two sufficient sureties for the rent and 
the fulfilment of the contract. 

10 

For all that is written above, Claes Cornelisz. and his sureties 
pledge their respective possessions, movable and immovable, now 
owned or to be acquired hereafter, none excepted, submitting them 
to the honorable court here or wherever it may be convenient to 
the lessors. Finally, the lessee promises to conduct himself quietly, 



?66 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

faithfully and diligently, and to observe all proper laws as an obe- 
dient subject and to pay proper respect to the director and commis- 
sioners as his lawful superiors. In confirmation whereof, the lessee 
and the sureties have ratified this with their signatures, all without 
fraud, this first of May 1657. Was signed : this is the mark X of 
Tenuis Disc.vss. made with his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, 1638 TO 1657, OF THE PATROON AND 
TEUNIS DIRCKSZ VAN VECHTEN 23 

March 29, 1657 
Copy 

Whereas the patroon and codirectors have been under contract 
with Tennis Dircxss. from the year 1638 till the first of May of the 
year 1657, first with the said Tennis Dircxss. as farm laborer, 
later on shares half and half and finally for eight years under con- 
tract of lease, and whereas it has been impossible from the begin- 
ning to settle the accounts between the patroon and codirectors and 
Tennis Dircxss. ; therefore, we, the underwritten, have with the 
approval of Arent van Curler agreed that all that the patroon and 
codirectors have received from the said Tennis Dircxss., as well 
his services as laborer as the delivery of grain to the Company 
or others on behalf of the patroon and the delivery of horses and 
animals and one half of the farm products and whatever his claims 
may amount to on the first of May 1657, shall acquit the said 
Tennis Dircxss., on the aforesaid date, of all his obligations and of 
whatever he may owe the patroon and codirectors, except that 
the aforesaid Tennis Dircxss. must at his own expense have put 
in a heavier beam for the support of the chimney in the new house 
and have the barn straightened and provided with a new roof, all 
of which together with the barracks shall be and remain the prop- 
erty of the patroon and codirectors. Thus agreed and stipulated 
this 29th of March 1657, in Rensselaerswyck. Was signed: Jan 
Baptist van Rensselaer, Director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
A: Van Curler, this is the mark X of Tennis Dircxss. made with 
his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

This lease continues on the aforesaid conditions. 



28 V. R. B. Mss 45, p.30. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 767 



RENEWAL OF LEASE OF FARM ON PAPSCANEE ISLAND TO CLAES COR- 
NELISZ VAN VOORHOUT 24 

September 1 ./, 1652 
Copy 

Claes Cornelisz promises by his signature, hereto suscribed, that 
this winter without further delay he will make prompt and full 
payment in merchantable grain to the director of this colony for 
all debts remaining unpaid according to the accounts; and in case 
of his failure to do so, the following contract shall be void and of 
no effect. " • 

On the date underwritten the honorable johan Baptista van Rens- 
selaer, director, and the commissioners of the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck have agreed and contracted with Claes Cornelisz. about the 
lease of the farm used by him to this date and now leased again on 
the following conditions. 

I 

He shall use the old plowed land and the other as before. 25 

2 

The lessee shall deliver up the house, barn and barracks in the 
same condition as he received them, according to the inspection, 
appraisal and valuation of persons of knowledge and competence 
to be chosen for the purpose. He must further each year repair 
them and keep them in proper order and on the expiration of the 
lease deliver them with tight sides and roofs. 

3 

All expenses, of whatever nature they may be, are and remain at 
the sole charge of the lessee. 

4 

The lessee shall receive 2G horses and 2G cows, one half of the 
the increase to be his provided that he do not sell or remove his 
share out of this colony without special consent of the authorities 
here. 

5 
At the expiration of his lease, the lessee shall turn the seeded 
land over to the next tenant upon an appraisal. 

24 V. R. B. Mss 45, p.31. 
25 See note p. 760. 
18 Blank in original. 



768 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

6 

As the lessee had to leave his farm now at stubble time and his 
new lease begins on the first of May 1653 he shall for the interven- 
ing period pay a rent of 240 guilders. 

7 
The lessee shall further in the first years of his lease spread the 
manure over the land and cut down or kill the trees that are in 
the way. 

8 
The lessee shall pay promptly each year, as rent of the aforesaid 
farm 480 guilders, in addition to the tithes, in merchantable grain, 
wheat at 10 guilders and oats at four guilders a mudde. 

9 
The lease runs for the next four consecutive years commencing 
the first of May 1653. 

10 
The lessee must provide two sufficient sureties for the rent and 
the fulfilment of the contract. 

11 
For all that is written above, Claes Cornells?, and his sureties 
pledge their respective possessions, movable and immovable, now 
owned or to' be acquired hereafter, none excepted, submitting them 
to the honorable court here or wherever it may be convenient to 
the lessors. 

12 
Finally, the lessee promises to conduct himself quietly, faithfully 
and diligently, and to observe all proper laws as an obedient sub- 
ject and to pay proper respect to the honorable director and com- 
missioners as his lawful superiors. In confirmation whereof, the 
lessee and the sureties have ratified this with their signatures. Done 
as above, this 14th of September 1652. Was signed: this is the 
mark X of Claes Cornell's?, made with his own hand, Cornells 
Zegers, this is the mark X of Cornells Corneliss. van voorhout 
made with his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamcl, Secretary. 
This lease continues on the preceding conditions. 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS ~'>) 



RENEWAL OF LEASE OF THE FARM CALLED DE HOOGEBERCH TO GIJSBERT 
CORNELISZ VAN BREUCKELEN 27 

June 23, 165 1 
Copy 

On the following conditions, Mr Joliau Baptista ran Rensselaer, 
director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and the commissioners 
have agreed and contracted with Gijsbert Cornelisz van Breuc- 
keleri 27 * about the lease of the farm called de Hoogeberch 28 

The aforementioned honorable gentlemen shall supply the lessee. 
out of the animals which are on the aforesaid farm, with four 
mares and four cows, which number he must deliver again at the 
expiration of the lease, replacing such as are wanting by others 
out of the increase, one half of the increase to be the lessee's pro- 
vided that he do not remove them out of the jurisdiction of the 
colony before he has offered them to the above regents at a valua- 
tion fixed by impartial persons. 

Further, if this colony (which God forbid) should become in- 
volve:! in a general war, it shall, if necessity requires it. be suffi- 
cient for the lessee to return [such] animals [as he has] to their 
honors aforesaid, provided it be done in good time ; and every three 
years delivery [of the surplus animals] must be made. The lease 
runs for six successive years commencing the first of May 1654, 
the rent, to be paid yearly in addition to the tithes, amounting to 
350 guilders in merchantable and good grain, wheat at 10 and oa's 
at four guilders a mudde, which must be paid off each year with- 
out delay. The toepacht is according to agreement. The lessee 
shall take the barn and barracks at previous valuation, with which 



-- V. R. B. Mss 45. P-34- 

278 Confused by O'Callaghan, History of New Netheriand, 1:441, with Gijsbert Cor- 
nelisz van Weesp, who in the Gerechts Rollc. 1648-52. among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, 
is frequenty referred to as waert, or weert, the tavern keeper. Gijsbert Cornelis van 
Weesp appears at New Amsterdam in 1639; he owned a house in Beverwyck and died 
before 1654; see A*. Y. Col. Mss. 1:134, 158, ami Early Records of the City and County 
of Albany, translated by Jonathan Pearson, p. 193. Gijsbert Cornelisz van Breuckelen, 
usually referred to as Gijsbert Cornelisz aen den hack, or op den Hoogenberch. does 
not seem to have arrived till 1647 and appears in the account books of the colony as late 
as 1685. 

28 This farm was from 1640 to 1646 leased by Michiel Jansz van Scrabbekercke and 
is frequently referred to in the letters of Kiliaen van Rensselaer on account of the 
rock crystal which was found there. It was situated on the east side of the river, near 
the present Mill Creek. April 23, 1646, Antony de Hooges, in the absence of in- 
structions from Holland leased the farm for one year to Teunis Cornelisz van Vechten, 
formerly a farmhand of Michiel Jansz. and April 18, 1647, this lease was renewed for 
one year. (Gerechts Rollc, 1648-52, f. 10b, and Copije -can eenige Aden en andcrc 
^Icnincrckclijckc Xotiticn. 1643—48, p.44— 45). 

49 



7/0 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

he shall be debited on his account; and on the last year's lent he 
shall be credited with improvements made or make good depre- 
ciation, and Mr van Rensselaer aforesaid shall at the first opportu- 
nity furnish the lessee with as many bricks as are needed for a chim- 
ney with which he shall also be debited as above. 

One half of the risk on the house, barn and barracks is to be 
borne by the patroon and codirectors and the other half by the 
lessee, except in case of general war, when their honors aforesaid 
shall bear the loss alone. 

Further, all expenses, of whatever nature they may be, are and 
remain at the charge of the lessee. 

The grain which is sown during the last year of the lease shall 
be appraised at the end of May, at the expiration of this contract; 
the lessee to pay the rent and his successor the tithes. 

For all that is above written and for its fulfilment Goossen Ger- 
riisz. and Tennis Dircxsz. van Vcchten become bondsmen and sure- 
ties, pledging their persons and possessions, movable and immov- 
able, now owned or to be acquired hereafter, none excepted, and 
submitting them to the honorable court of the aforesaid colony or 
wherever it may be convenient to the lessors or their successors. 

And the lessee promises to be submissive and diligent as a good 
colonist ought to be. In confirmation of what is written above the 
lessors as well as the lessee and his sureties have ratified this by 
their signatures, in R: IVyck the 23d of June 1654. Was signed: 
Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Iohan de Hulter, Anthonius de Hooges, 
the usual mark X of Gysbert Cornelisz. as lessee, made with his 
own hand, the mark X of Goosen Gerritsz. as surety, made with 
his own hand, the mark X of Tennis Dircxsz., as surety, made by 
him with his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V : Hamel, Secretary. 

The [lease of the] water power of the mills opposite Bethelem 
has not been renewed. 29 

20 den WaterLoop vande Meulens tegen over Bethelem blyft open. V. R. B. Mss 45, 
P-37; P-38 blank. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 77 1 



RENEWAL OF LEASE OF ISLAND OPPOSITE BETHLEHEM TO JAN REYERSZ 

VAN HOUTEN 30 

February 15, 1653 
Copy 

On the following conditions, Mr Iohan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and the commissioners 
have agreed and contracted with Ian Reverse: van Houlten 31 about 
the lease of the island situated at the end of the place called Beth- 
lehem used by him to this day, as follows. 

In the first place Reyersz. shall have and use the land as before, 
for which he shall pay a yearly rent of 230 guilders and 45 guil- 
ders for tithes, in merchantable grain, wheat at 10 guilders and oats 
at four guilders a mudde, and as toepacht, also yearly, 12 pounds of 
butter, four fowls and two schepels of wheat. The lease commences 
on the first of May 1653 and runs for eight consecutive years so 
that the term ends on the first of May 1661. 

The lessee receives two mares, four stallions, four cows and one 
heifer calf, one half of the increase of which shall be his, but be- 
fore any increase can be counted the number of animals received 
must be turned over and, in case contrary to our hopes all the 
horses and animals happen to die or be killed, the lessee must never- 
theless pay for them and make good the loss and may not convey 
away any of the animals raised by him without consent. 

As to the buildings, the lessee must defray the cost thereof him- 
self and they shall be his property; for them he shall be furnished 
with 200 boards for which he must pay at the first settlement of 
accounts. 

As by the preceding contract a dweling house barn and barracks 
were promised to Ian Reyersz., which he did not receive, one year's 
rent, that is, 300 guilders, is deducted from the amount due under 
the preceding lease, provided that Ian Reyersz. must pay for the 
160 boards delivered to him. 

The lessee shall further bear alone all the expenses of fencing, 
farm implements and the like, for which, as well as for the seeded 
land, the next lessee must compensate and reimburse him according 
to proper appraisal. 

Finally, Ian Reyersz: promises to conduct himself as a good and 
obedient colonist and inhabitant of the colony should, submitting 

:l " V. R. D. Mss 45, p. 39. 

31 ITonten, a small village about five miles S. by E. of Utrecbt. 



772. NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

himself to the honorable court of the aforesaid colony and to the 
ordinances already made or to be made. 

In confirmation whereof, their honors aforesaid and Ian Reyerss., 
as lessee, have signed this in the colony aforesaid, the 15th of 
February 1653. Was signed : Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, the mark 
X of Ian Reyersc, made by him with his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

The [lease of the] farm of Jan Helmssen has not been renewed. 32 
The [lease of the] sawmills of Eldert Gerbertse has not been 
renewed. 33 

TRANSFER OF LEASE OF FARM FROM PIETER WINNE TO ELDERT 
GERBERTSZ CRUYF 04 

April io, 7(555 
Copy 

On this date underwritten, Picter winne, with the consent of Mr 
Iohan Baptista van Rensselaer, director of the colony of Rensse- 
laerswyck, has conveyed and made over to Eldert Gerbertsz. the 
use of the farm occupied by him, Pieter Winne, to this date accord- 
ing to contract, and of which the lease runs for two years more, ex- 
piring on the first of May 1657, on the following conditions. 

Eldert Gerbertse. shall accept the aforesaid farm in its present 
condition and use as much land in connection with it as the former 
lessee ; but all expenses incurred during the aforesaid time, of 
whatever nature they may be, are at the sole charge of the lessee. 

As to the house and barn, which have been newly erected, the 
risk thereof is to be borne half and half; and to avoid disputes, 
since Eldert Gerbertsz. must deliver up everything in equally good 
condition as he received it, the said buildings are put down at the 
sum of 2400 guilders. As to the barracks, the charge thereof shall 
remain as before, so also the provisions about their redelivery. 



32 De Bouwerye van Jan Helmssen blyfi open. V.R.B.Mss 45, p. 41: p. 42 blank. 
Tn the account books among the Rcnsselacrswyck Mss, Jan Helmsz (written Helms, 
Helmsen. Ilehnes. Helmessen and Helmichsen) is charged from 'May 1, 1650, to May I, 
1672, with an annual rent of 445 guilders for a farm at Bethlehem, formerly oc- 
cupied by Jan Pircksz van Bremen. 

33 De saach Moolens van Eldert Gcrbertcc blyven open. J'.R.B.Mss 45, p. 43: 
p. 44 blank. In the account books among the Rensselaerswyck Mss. Eldert Gerbertsz is 
charged from 1654 to 1658 with an annual rent of 400 guilders for the moolens, the 
mills, and from i(ie;S to 1671 with an annual rent of mo guilders for the molen, the mill. 

:: ' V. R. B. Mss ,5. P.|5. 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 773 

As to the grain which the lessee leaves on the field the last year, 
the next lessee must take it over from him according to the ap- 
praisal of impartial persons. 

Eldcrt Gerbertsz. shall at the end of the term return as many ani- 
mals as Pictcr Winne received with the farm, that is, three full- 
grown mares and one yearling mare (but if this mare should die, 
the lessee may make good the loss by furnishing a yearling, other- 
wise he must return her as she is), one stallion and one gelding, 
four cows and one yearling bull. The number of animals received 
is reserved and of the animals found in addition to that number the 
lessee shall receive and possess one half with the provision that he 
may not transport them out of this colony's jurisdiction without pre- 
vious consent from the rulers here. 

As to the rent, Eldcrt Gerbertsz. shall pay the same as the former 
lessee, to wit, 275 guilders a year in addition to the tithes and 
tocpacht, payments to be made in good merchantable grain, wheat 
at 10 and oats at four guilders a mudde. 

The lessee must furnish two sufficient sureties for the fulfilment 
of these conditions, it being left to the discretion of the lessor 
whom he shall call upon for that purpose, whether the principal or 
the sureties. 

Finally, the lessee submits himself to the honorable court of this 
colony and to its laws and ordinances, promising to conduct him- 
self as an honest and obedient colonist should. In confirmation 
whereof, the contracting parties, with the approbation of the said 
Mr Rensselaer, have ratified this with their signatures, in Rens- 
selaerswyck the 10th day of April 1655; and was signed: Pictcr 
Winne, as grantor, Eldcrt Gerbertsz, as lessee. Below was written: 
This is approved by me, J: B: van Rensselaer. Jan Labatje and 
Claes Hcndricxsz. Schacf offer themselves as sureties for Eldcrt 
Gerbertsz. and for the fulfilment of these conditions ; witness their 
signatures hereto subscribed, on the date as above written. Was 
signed : Jan Labatje. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V ': Hamcl, Secretary. 

This lease continues on the preceding conditions. 



774 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



ADJUSTMENT OF FIRE LOSSES ON FARM OF AERT JACOBSZ AT 
BETHLEHEM 35 

September 10, 1658 
Copy 

On the date underwritten, Mr Ian Baptista van Rensselaer, in 
his capacity of director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, on the 
one side, and Aert Iacobsen, on the other side, have amicably agreed 
and come to an understanding about the accident of the burning 
of the house, barn and barracks on the farm at Bethlem hereto- 
fore occupied by the aforesaid Aert Iacobsz. SG It is contracted and 
agreed that the aforesaid Aert Iacobss. shall pay once and for all 
for the aforesaid damage to the director or his representative the 
sum of 300 guilders in merchantable wheat at 10 guilders a mudde, 
in two instalments, one half each winter after the date hereof. 
It is further expressly stipulated and provided that the aforesaid 
Aert Iacobss. shall be free to recover all his interest and claims 
arising from the damage suffered by the fire on the aforesaid farm, 
either at law or in friendship or in such other manner as Aert 
Iacobss. shall see fit from Pieter Whine or his partners or the 
people with whom he has made a contract, and hereby all claims 
which might be made on account of the said damage in the name of 
the patroon and the codirectors are declared null and void, includ- 
ing the claims of the servant Dirck de Gooyer; 37 and said claims 
shall at no time be renewed. Not included in this agreement is 
the farm debt which Aert Iacobss. must pay according to his ac- 
count. In testimony of the truth the contracting parties have signed 
these with their own hands under pledge according to law. Thus 
done and passed in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 10th of 
September 1658. Was signed: /: B:van Rensselaer, Aert Iacobss. 
This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 



" V. R. B. Mss 45. P-48. 

•"Fire occurred before Feb. 3, 1654. Cf. Early Records of the City and County of 
Albany, translated by Jonathan Pearson, p. 224. 

87 That is, Dirck, from Gooiland; in the Rensselaerswyck Mss, Gerechts Rolle, 
1648-52, f.41, bis name is given at one time as Dirck de Goojcr and at another as 
Dirck Hendrickss van Hilvcrsom; Ililversom, or Hilvcrsum, being a place in Gooiland. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 775 

The [lease of the] farm of Cornells Cornelissen van voorhout. 38 
[The lease of the mill power and the land of] Albert Andriessen 
has not been renewed. 39 

LEASE OF FARM, WEST OF THE CREEK OF CASTLE ISLAND AND LAST 
OCCUPIED BY JAN BARENTSZ WEMP, TO JEAN LABATIE 40 

July 20, 1654 

Mr Iohan Baptista van Rensselaer, director of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, hereby agrees and contracts with Ian Lebatje, 
about the lease of the farm situated west of the creek of Castle 
Island, last occupied by Jan Barents^. Wcmp, on the following- 
conditions. 

I 

First, the lessee shall have and use the farm aforesaid and its 
appurtenances like the former lessee. 

2 

As to the dwelling house, valued at 600, the barn at 1100 and 
the three barracks, exclusive of the hardware, at 60 guilders, the 
lessee must keep them in proper order and repair and at the ex- 
piration of the lease deliver them up with tight sides and roofs and 
there shall be turned over and delivered to him 100 boards or so 
many tiles as may be required for the roof of the dwelling house 
which the lessee must cover at his own expense. 

The risk of the house, barn and barracks is to be borne half and 
half, except in case of general war, when the lessor takes the entire 
charge upon himself. 

3 

The lessee shall receive two mares, two stallions or geldings, one 
filly, three cows and one full-grown heifer, one half the increase of 
which shall belong to the lessee with the provision that he may not 



88 De Bouwerye Van Cornells Cornelissen van voorhout. V.R.B.Mss 45, p.50; p. 51 
blank. In the account books among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, Cornells Cornelisz van 
Voorhout is charged from Tan. 31, 1652, to Jan. 31, 1658, with an annual rent of 100 
guilders; from May 1, 1658, to May 1, 1661, with an annual rent of 100 guilders and 
from May 1, 1661, to May 1, 1668, with an annual rent of 300 guilders. 

39 Albert Andriessen blyft open. V. R. B. Mss 45, p.52; p.53 blank. In the account 
books among the Rensselaerswyck Mss, Albert Andriesz is charged from May 4, 1652, 
to May 4, 1672, with an annual rent of 250 guilders for de Moolen kil en 't taut, 
the mill creek and the land. 

40 V. R. B. Mss 45. p.54. 



Jj6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

remove them out of the limits and jurisdiction of the colony afore- 
said, without special consent from the lessor or the person who 
may fill his honor's place. The number of horses and animals de- 
livered in the beginning' is reserved and must be returned before 
any increase can be counted and if any animals are wanting the 
lessee must return us others in their steal and complete the original 
number. Each third or fourth year there shall be a division of 
the increase, if any. 

4 

The lease commences at stubble time 1654 and runs till the first 
of May 1 66 1, it being understood that the lessee shall pay 150 
guilders for the intervening period between stubble time and the 
first of May and that thereafter the year shall be counted to begin 
in May. 

5 

The crops of the land found to have been seeded in the last year 
of the lease shall be turned over by the lessee to the next tenant 
upon an appraisal to be made at the end of May and the next 
tenant shall pay tithes of the grain which he takes over. 

6 

For the use of the farm the lessee shall promptly pay each year 
300 guilders, besides and in addition to the tithes, in merchantable 
grain, wheat at 10 and oats at four guilders a mudde. 

7 

All expenses, of whatever nature they may be, are and remain 
at the charge of the lessee. 

8 

For the aforesaid conditions and the fulfilment of the same, 
the lessee, instead of furnishing sureties, pledges to the lessor as 
security his house in the village, 41 near the bridge. 

9 

And during (he term of the lease the lessor shall receive from 
the lessee as rent for the aforesaid house jo:> guilders a year. 

Finally, the lessee promises to conduct himself as an honest and 
good colonist should, submitting himself to the magistrates and 
the laws of the aforesaid colony. 



null- by ecu wooninge. 



VAX RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS JJJ 

111 testimony whereof, the contracting" parties have continue. 1 
these with their signatures. Thus agreed the 20th of July 1654, 
in the aforesaid colon)'. Was signed: Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
Ian Labatje, 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D V Hamel, Secretary. 



4J 



LEASE OF CASTLE ISLAND TO CORNELLS SEGERSZ VAN VOORHOUT 

September 20, 1652 

Cornells Zegersz. promises by his signature hereto affixed that 
he will this winter promptly without delay pay to the honorable 
Fohan Baptista van Rensselaer or his agent in good merchantable 
grain, as part payment of his old account, the sum of 3000 guilders, 
wheat counted at 10 guilders and the oats at four guilders a 
mudde ; and in case of his failure to do so, the following contract 
shall be null and of no effect, his honor aforesaid being then free 
to rent Castle Island to whom he pleases. 

On the date underwritten the honorable Johan Baptista van 
Rensselaer, director, and the commissioners of the colony of R. 
Wyck have agreed and contracted with Cornells Segersen about 
the lease of the whole of Castle Island used by him to this day 43 
and now leased again on the following conditions. 

1 

Cornells Segerss. shall use and properly cultivate the aforesaid 
island as before. 

2 

The lessee shall take over the old farmhouse as his own on con- 
dition that he pay the sum of 200 guilders for it, which shall be 



« V. R. B. Mss 45. P- 5 7- 

m Previous to 1646, Cornells Segersz van Voorhout occupied one of the two farms 
on Castle Island, fur which in 1648 he acknowledged to have signed a contract on 
August 25. 1643; the other farm was occupied by Adriaen van der Donck. In 1646 the 
farmhouse of van der Donck was destroyed by fire and van der Donck, who decided to 
leave the colony, ceded to Cornells Segersz the remaining three years' lease of his 
farm together with certain live stock and grain; from that time therefore Cornells 
Segersz occupied the whole island. In 1648 and 1649 the court of the colony re- 
peatedly ordered Cornells Segersz to settle his accounts and Jan. 31, 1650, 'the au- 
thorities offered the lease of the whole of Castle Island to the highest bidder, Gijsbert 
Cornelisz (probably the tavern keeper, from Weesp) becoming the lessee at an annual 
rent of 1210 guilders. In the account books of the colony Cornelis Segersz is charged, 
however, with the rent of 1210 guilders from 1650 to 1652, so that he appears to have 
remained in possession of the island. (See Gcrcchts Rolle, 1648-52, f.2ob, 32-33D, 
8o-8ib, 82b-83b: Leases and Ordinances, 1648-52, p. 8; Copije -can eenige Acten 
1643-48, p. 40-50; Account Book, 1642-54, f.17; among the Rensselqerswyck Mss.) 



jyX NEW VOUK STATE LIBRARY 

accepted in place of the provisions in the former contract concern- 
ing redelivery of the said house and of the new barn. And if, at 
the expiration of the lease, the director and commissioners can 
come to a suitable agreement with the lessee on the basis of a 
proper appraisal, they shall take over the house, otherwise the 
lessee shall be free to remove it for his own profit. The barracks 
he shall deliver up as he received them. The new barn and the 
other building's, with the exception of the old barn and the barracks 
as aforesaid, he shall deliver up with tight sides and roofs. 

3 

All expenses connected with the island or the farm, of whatever 
nature they may be, are and remain at the charge of the lessee. 
He shall also during the first years spread the manure over the 
land and cut down or kill the trees that are in the way. 

4 

There are placed in the hands of and delivered to the lessee 
as many horses and animals as he received at the very beginning 
on the whole island, to wit, six mares, four stallions and nine cows, 
one half of the increase of which shall belong to the lessee, with 
the provision that he may not sell or remove them without special 
consent from the honorable director and commissioners here. 
Neither shall he have the right to stable any one's horses or animals 
or to lend or take away any from the farm, without special consent. 

5 
The term of the lease shall be for four or six years at the 
option of the lessor and commences on the first of May 1653. 

6 

The lessee shall pay yearly, in addition to the tithes, the sum of 
1200 guilders in grain at the prices aforesaid, without postponing 
payment to another year. 

7 

As the lessee was to leave his farm now at stubble time and his 
lease as aforesaid commences on the first of May 1653 when he 
takes possession of the farm again, he shall for the intervening 
period pay the sum of 600 guilders in grain as aforesaid. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 779 

8 

At the expiration of his lease, the lessee must turn over the 
seeded land to the next tenant upon an appraisal, the lessee and the 
next tenant are each to pay one half of the rent, but the tithes are 
at the charge of the next tenant and the last winter seed shall at 
the end of May be appraised by competent persons. 

9 

The lessee must provide two sufficient sureties for the rent and 
the fulfilment of the contract. 

io 

To all that is written above Cornells Segersz. and his sureties 
pledge their respective possessions, movable and immovable, now 
owned or to be acquired hereafter, none excepted, submitting them 
to the honorable court of the aforesaid colony or wherever it may 
be convenient to the lessors. 

ii 

Finally, Cornells Segersz. promises to conduct himself hence- 
forth quietly, faithfully and diligently, to observe all proper laws 
as an obedient subject and to respect and obey the honorable di- 
rector and commissioners as his lawful superiors. In confirmation 
whereof the lessee and the sureties have hereto affixed their sig- 
natures. Done as above; this 29th of September 1652. Was 
signed : Cornells Zegers., the mark X of Cornells Cornelisz. van 
voorhout made by him as surely with his own hand, the mark X 
of Clacs Cornelisz. van voorhout, made by him as surety with his 
own hand. Below was written : Passed and signed in my presence 
•and to my knowledge, Anthonio de Hooges, Secretary. 

The aforesaid contract is extended for two years to Cornells 
segersz, provided that he provide two sufficient sureties. Witness 
our hands, this day the 12th of August 1658 in Rensselaerswyck. 
Was signed : Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Cornells Zegersoon, 
francois Boon as surety, this is the mark X of Segcr Cornelisz... 
made with his own hand as surety. Below was written: To my 
knowledge, D V Hamel, Secretary. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

This lease continues as above. 



780 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

LEASE OF HORSES TO THOMAS HIGGINS, CALLED COMPEER 44 

April 28, 1657 
Copy 

This day the 28th of April 1637, Ian Baptis van rensselaer on 
the part of the patroon and the codirectors, on the one side, and 
Thomas Higgins, commonly called Compeer on the other side, 
have contracted and agreed in the manner following. The afore- 
said Ian Baptis ran Rensselaer leases and delivers on this date 
in the name of his masters to the aforesaid Thomas Higgins two 
horses, one mare called Hans, seven years old, one black gelding, 
about five or six years old, which aforesaid horses Thomas Higgins 
hereby acknowledges that he has received sound and well and for 
each of which he promises to pay yearly to the aforesaid /: B: van 
Rensselaer or his successor 30 guilders in good merchantable 
beavers, or well-winnowed grain such as can be traded here. The 
aforesaid Thomas Higgins must return the said horses sound and 
in good condition at the expiration of his lease. The lessee shall 
use them for six consecutive years commencing the first of May 
1657, one half of the increase to be to the profit of the lessee and 
the other half to that of the lessor. In case the aforesaid horses 
be lost by any mischance, whether by sickness and death, by being 
killed by the savages or in any other way, and there is no increase 
so that the number received can not be restored, the lessee shall 
pay 200 guilders in good beavers for the gelding and 300 guiiders 
for the mare. For the fulfilment of what is above written, Iacob 
lanss: Stol offers himself as surety for the lessee. In witness of 
the truth, the contracting parties have signed these with their own 
hands. On the day above written, in the colony of Rensselaers- 
wyck. Was signed ; Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, this is the mark 
X of Thomas Higgens, made with his own hand. 

This copy agrees with the original, which I certify, 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 



f". R. B. Mss 45. p.61. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS /8l 



Agreement of the council of Rensselaerswyck to pay tithes to 
the West India Company 45 

July 12, i6f,S 
Copy 

Whereas Mr Iolian La Montague, accompanied by Abraham 
starts and francois Boon, did on the ioth instant serve on me, Ian 
Baptist van Rensselaer, director of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 
the order 40 issued by the directors of the West India Company 
concerning the collection of tithes in the colony aforesaid, accom- 
panied by a letter 47 from the director general and council of New 
Netherland, in the which order issued by the directors it was firmly 



4 "' I'. R. B. Mss 45. p. 63. Tlie original of this document is among the Rensselaerswyck 
Mss. 

4n This order, referred to in the letter from the director general and council as an 
" extract from the letter of the directors," was part of the letter of Dec. 22, 1657, and 
reads as follows: 

" We hear with regret that the colony of Rensselaerswyck perseveres in its un- 
founded contentions and can not in any way be persuaded to provide and pay the tithes 
and cither taxes. As this is unreasonable and neither can nor may be permitted on 
account of the consequences, we have deemed it well that you try once more and for 
the last time what you can do and, in case of nonappearance or refusal, that you bring 
them to compliance by means of legal execution or otherwise." 

Letter from the directors of the West India Company, Chamber of 
Amsterdam, to the director general and council of New Netherland, Dec. 
22, 1657. N. Y. Col. Mss. 12:69. 

The letters of May 20, June 7 and Tune i<), 165S. make no reference to this matter 
but in that of Feb. 13, 1659, the directors express satisfaction with the settlement made. 

41 Copy 
Honorable, beloved, faithful: 

This letter serves to enclose an extract from the letter of the directors, from which 
you can see what their orders and intentions are in regard to the collection of the 
long since due tithes of the colony Rensselaerswyck. which orders we intend and hereby 
command shall, on receipt hereof, immediately lie put in execution against the people 
of the aforesaid colony in the following manner. 

On receipt of this letter you will send for Mr Rensselaer or go to his house and 
communicate to him the extract from the letter of the directors, as well as the con- 
tents of our own, and in the best way persuade him to obey the high orders and 
authority; and if he is willing to comply therewith you are authorized to enter into a 
reasonable agreement with him concerning the amount to be paid for the ensuing year. 
But if the aforesaid Mr Rensselaer should raise objections as before and refuse to 
comply, you will publicly farm out these tithes to the highest bidder with ample and 
full promise to the collector that he shall he supported by us in the exercise of his 
duties: and after such farming of the tithes, you will serve notice, or cause notice to 
be served, on the farmers of the colony that neither they nor any one else, under 
penalty of a fine of 100 guilders, shall undertake to remove any grain from the field 



7^2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

resolved to proceed to attachment, whereupon I requested a copy 
of the aforesaid resolution and replied to their honors that I must 
first communicate it to and take action upon it with our council ; 
and whereas it came to pass on the 12th instant that Mr La 
Montague, having been called to our meeting and requested to sus- 
pend the aforesaid order as we could not find that according to the 
Freedoms the colony owed any tithes to the Company, in reply 
said that he could not do otherwise than follow his instructions and 
therefore offered to come to an agreement with us about the tithes 
but that in case of refusal he would proceed with the public 
farming thereof; therefore, we, considering ourselves in the highest 
degree aggrieved on account of the injury to and infringement 
upon our jurisdiction, have under due and serious protest agreed, 
as we hereby do agree under protest, to pay on the first of July 
1659, as tithes on the present year's crop, 300 schepels of wheat, 
or the value thereof if in good payment, but before the aforesaid 
date the patroon and the codirectors come to an agreement with 
the West India Company in the fatherland either by process of law 
or by way of amicable settlement, the present agreement shouid 
be of no effect and the stipulated tithes for this year 1658 should 
be reimbursed. ' 

And in case the advice through any accident happening to the 
vessels should not arrive in time, the honorable Company shall be 
paid as tithes for the year 1659, 300 schepels of wheat, on tbe 
above conditions. Thus agreed and concluded in our council of 
the colony of Rensselaerswyck, this 12th of July 1658; present, 
Messrs Ian Baptist van Rensselaer, Cornells van Nes, Teunis van 
Spitsbergen, Gccrardt Swartt, officer, D: V: Ham el, secretary. 

This compromise in the terms above written has been agreed 
upon between the Hon. Mr Rensselaer, director of the colony of 



before they shall have entered into an agreement with the collector or permitted him to 
gather his tithes. Those who act contrary to this, you will fine, and at the first oppor- 
tunity you will report to us your experience. 

Wherewith we greet you and commend you to God's protection, remaining, 
Honorable, beloved, faithful, 

Your affectionate friends, the director general and council of N. Nctherland. 
Done at 
Fort Amsterdam in N. Netherland. 

July 2, 1658. 
Memorandum. Tn the foregoing letter was enclosed the following note: 
Monsr. Montagne 

This letter serves for your guidance and information as to our opinion that yon 
are not on any account to enter into any agreement with Mr. Rensselaer about the 
tithes for less than 400 schepels; in accordance with this, you must govern yourself. 
Done at Fort Amsterdam in N. Netherland — on the day as above. 

Letter from the director and council of New Netherland to vice director 
La Montagne, July 2, 1659. N.Y.Col.Mss. 8:903. 



VAN RENSSELAER COWIER MANUSCRIPTS 783 

Rensselaerswyck, and myself, as co minis of Fort Orange, which 
I certify. 

Was signed: La Montague, Commis at Fort Orange. 

Agrees with the original, which I certify. 

[signed] D: V: Hamel, Secretary. 

Sibout Kiewert to notary in Holland 48 

October 6, 1659 
Monsieur Saint: 

After greetings, these few lines will serve to let your honor 
know that my brother in law, feijnte Pieterz, has sent over to me 
in New Netherland a certain draft of [a document relating to] 
a grave 49 in order to sell the same. 1 beg your honor to delay 
the said [sale] till I send a power of attorney, since by my order 
recorded in your protocol of the year 163 1, in your custody, I put 
it in your hands with instructions not to sell the same. For which 
I shall consider myself greatly obliged to your honor. Vale. 
St Christ off el, this 6th of October 1659. 

Your honor's willing servant 

[signed] Sibout Kiczvert 



[Endorsed] 




2990 2 8 


2209 


25 8 


88 



2964 14 8 21 16 



« V. R. B. Mss. 49- 

*" Copic van cen graft. 



7^4 NE W YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Petition of the schout, burgomaster and schepens of New Amster- 
dam to the director and council of New Netherland for the 
convocation of delegates from the several towns to consider 
the state of the province; with the resolution on the same"'' 1 
October 26, 1 66 3 

To the honorable very worshipful 
gentlemen, Director General and 
Council of New Netherland 
Honorable very worshipful gentlemen : 

The schout, burgomaster and schepens of the city of Amsterdam 
in New Netherland most respectfully show : 

That it has pleased your honors now and then to summon to 
your honors' council either the burgomasters alone or the entire 
body of schout, burgomasters and schepens, and to present to them 
the very dangerous situation and condition of the country, both 
with regard to the dangerous war with the barbarous Esopus 
nation and their followers and the threatening advance and ap- 
proach of the neighbors together with the mutinous revolts of some 
English subjects which have already taken place, and for the pre- 
vention of further inroads to solicit not only advice but also deeds 
and assistance, which truly are most urgently required and neces- 
sary. However, although your honors' petitioners, both in their 
public and private capacity, are inclined and also bound to serve 
your honors for the public good of the country and also in this 
particular instance with their humble counsel and limited means, 
nevertheless, considering and seeing with your honors the great- 
danger and necessity of the matter, and in view of the fact that 
your honors' petitioners, though the oldest and largest body, rep- 
resent nevertheless but a part of the country and that the danger 
of the province concerns the country as a whole, they deem it there- 
fore necessary and useful that, just as from this city, so also from 
other surrounding places and villages, especially also from the 
hamlet of beverwyck and the colony of Rensselaerswyck, some dele- 
gates should be convened and called together, to discuss and con- 
sider, under your honors' wise direction and high authority, the 
public good of the country, and whereas the same can not take 
place without your honors' order and convocation, your petitioners 
request in all humility (as the ships to the fatherland arc about to 



•"" / '. R. /?. Mss 50, marked A. Other copy of the petition, without date, in N. Y. 
Col. Mss, v. 10, part 2. p. 351 52; resolution on p. 353 of same volume, dated: Satur- 
day, October 27th. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 785 

sail) that your honors would please to convene the same at the 
first opportunity, in order that there may then be determined what 
measures must be taken for the general peace, good order and 
unity. 

Which doingj your petitioners are and remain. . . Below was 
written : Your honors' subjects ready to serve, schout, burgomaster 
and schepens of the city aforesaid. Was signed : P. L. vander 
Grist. Below was written : By order of the same ; was signed, 
Joannes Nevius, Secretary. 
In the margin was written as apostil : 

Although the director and council of New Netherland find the 
request reasonable and consider the convocation of magistrates 
herein mentioned necessary, they would deem it more expedient, 
owing to the unsuitable time because of the approaching winter 
and because it is hardly possible for the delegates of the colony 
of Rensselaerswyck and the village of beverwijek to sail down the 
river and up again before the winter, if for the present the magis- 
trates of the neighboring villages and hamlets were convened and 
if whatever might be proposed or advised by them (with the 
knowledge of the director general and council) for the good of 
the public were communicated in writing, time and opportunity 
permitting, to the courts of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, the 
villages of Beverwijek and wilfwijek and their report thereon 
heard. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland the 26th of 
October 1663. Was signed: P: Stuijvcsant. Below was written: 
By order of the honorable gentlemen, director general and council 
of New Netherland. Was signed: C: V: Ruijven, Secretary. 
Coll. Agrees with the principal, 

[signed] Joannes Nevius, Secretary 

Delegates to the convention at New Amsterdam to Jan Baptist 
van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, asking 
thiem to support the remonstrance of November 2, 1663, 
before the directors of the West India Company 51 

November ?, 1663 
Taking into consideration your honors' large interests involved 
in the ruin and destruction of this province, in particular, your 
honors' zeal, affection and love for the same in general, as well as 
the ability, knowledge and capacities of your honors' persons and 
the present urgent need and dangerous situation of this province 



«» V. R. B. Mss 51, marked C. 



7?6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

(which without timely remedy and prevention is in danger of 
being lost) set forth at length in the accompanying remonstrance, 52 
we have taken the liberty to ask your honors' assistance and to 
trouble you with the accompanying commission and warrant, 
trusting that your honors in view of the present critical juncture 
will take no offense thereat but rather keep a watchful eye that the 
things asked for in the aforesaid remonstrance may be taken to 
heart and that we may learn here speedily of the greatest and most 
salutary promptness, and that your honors may exert to that end 
all imaginable and unimaginable means which recommend them- 
selves to your honors' skill, earnestly promising that we will grate- 
fully refund and repay your honors all expenses and charges inci- 
dent thereto, not doubting but your honors will have received by 
verbal report explicit information of the violence recently com- 
mitted by the English at various places of this territory and the 
unsuccessful results of the notable exertions made by the [director] 
general in person at the meeting of the General Court at baston 
and later by embassy to the special meeting at Hartford. 

The objections and pretenses offered by the English are based 
on references to their general and unlimited patent obtained (as 
we apprehend) during the last voyage of Governor wintrop to Old 
England, contrary to the intention of the king, and on the neglect of 
the honorable directors to obtain such a commission and patent 
from their High Mightinesses, the consequence of which, without 
speedy prevention, can be no other than that they must let others 
mow what has not been sowed by them ; wherefore realizing the 
importance of the above, we hope that your honors will see to the 
execution of our just intention with your honors' customary dili- 
gence and that you will be blessed with a good success, which may 
the Lord God grant us, to whose gracious protection, after cordial 
greetings, we commend your honors and remain, 

Messieurs, 
Done at Amsterdam Your honors' willing servants and affec- 
in New Netherland, tionate friends, the delegates to the getneene 
the 3d day of Nov- Landts ver gad cr high held within this city of 
ember 1663. Amsterdam in New Netherland. 

[signed] P L van de grist 
By order of the same, 
[signed] Joannes Nevius, as secretary. 



B * Remonstrance to the directors of the Wesl [ndia Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, 

Nov. 2, 1663; printed in O'Callaglian, History of New Netherland, 2:491-94. and Doc. 
rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y. 2:477-79. There is no copy of this remonstrance among the 
Van Rensselaer Bowier Mst. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 787 



Delegates to the convention at New Amsterdam to the directors 
of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, stating 
that they have entrusted Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and 
Johannes Pietersz van Brugh with the delivery of the re- 
monstrance of November 2, 1663 53 

November $, 1663 
Copy 
Honorable, very worthy, wise, prudent sirs : 

The alarming and painful extremity to which we, your honors' 
most humble subjects, have found ourselves reduced already, and by 
which we are still threatened, have forced us to ask your assistance 
by this our humble remonstrance, which for the sake of safe de- 
livery we have entrusted to messieurs Jan Baptista van Rensclaar, 
patroon of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and JoJiannes Pietersz 
van brugh, ex-schepen of the city of Amsterdam in New Nether- 
land, in order that your honors, touched with paternal compassion, 
may please to look with favor upon the preservation of your honors' 
subjects, the oppressed inhabitants of this province, and relieve 
the same by speedy measures mentioned in the aforesaid remon- 
strance, to which we humbly refer in the hope of effectual action. 
Praying the Almighty God to take your honors -into His holy pro- 
tection and to bless with His gracious spirit the resolutions which 
your honors may take for the accomplishment of the aforesaid ends, 
we sign ourselves. Below was written: 

Your honorable, very worthy, wise, pru- 
dent sirs, your most humble subjects, the 
Done at Amsterdam delegates to the Geinene Landts vcrgadc- 
in New Netherland, ringh held within the city of Amsterdam in 
the 3d of Novem- New Netherland ; signed, P L vande Grist. 
ber 1663. Lower was written ; By order of the same ; 

signed, Joannes Nevius, as secretary. 
Agrees with the original 
[signed] Joannes Nevius, Secretary. 



63 V. R. B. Mss 52. marked D. 



788 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



List of papers sent to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes 
Pietersz van Brugh in the name of the delegates to the 
convention at New Amsterdam 54 

November 10, 1663 

List of the papers written in the name and by order of the honor- 
able delegates of the city of Amsterdam and the villages of Amers- 
foort, Breuckelen, Midwout, Haarlem, Uytrcght, Bosivyck and Ber- 
gen, lying in New Netherland, in attendance at the Gemeene Landts 
vergaderingh within the city aforesaid, and sent to the honorable 
duly empowered deputies, Jan Baptista Reinselaar, patroon of the 
colony of Rensselaerswyck and Johannes Pieterzen van Brugh, ex- 
schepen of this city. 

No. A Copy of the petition presented by burgomasters and schepens 
of the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland to the 
honorable very worthy gentlemen, the director general 
and council of New Netherland, and the resolution there- 
upon. 
B Remonstrance setting forth the alarming situation of this 

province. 
C Letter from the delegates of the aforesaid city and villages. 
D Copy of the letter to the honorable directors. 
E Commission of Messrs Jan Baptista Renselaar and Joannes 

Pieterzen van Brugh. 
F Letter from the burgomasters and schepens of the city of 
Amsterdam in New Netherland. 
Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 10th of November 
1663. 

[signed] Joannes Nevius, Secretary. 

[Endorsed] List of the accompanying papers and writings. 



•'•' V. R. B. Mss S3- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 789 

Burgomasters and schepens of New Amsterdam to Jan Baptist 
van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, urging 
them to exert themselves in the interests of the province 55 

November 10, 1663 

To Messrs Jan Baptista Rcnselaer 
and 
Johannes Pieterz: van Brugh 

The 10th of November 1663, in Amsterdam, in New Netherland 
Worthy, wise, prudent and very discreet gentlemen and well af- 
fectionate good friends. Greeting. 

While the accompanying documents and papers will acquaint your 
honors with the sad and very distressing situation of this province, 
whose flourishing condition concerns your honors and every inhabit- 
ant of the same to the highest degree, we have in addition thought 
it necessary to communicate this situation to your honors with the 
earnest request to exert yourself in the matter which we commend 
most urgently to your honors. As to the costs and the expenses of 
promoting this important work, the secretary, Cornells van Ruijucn, 
has pledged himself to the sum of 400 guilders money of Holland, 
which to that end will be paid to the honorable Company. The 
honorable director general of New Netherland has also promised 
to write about the matter to the honorable Jan baptista Rcnselaer, 
so that we do not doubt but your honors will be reimbursed with 
thanks. Meanwhile, we are and remain after cordial greetings. 

Sirs, Your honors' obliging and affectionate friends, the burgo- 
masters and schepens of the city aforesaid, 

[signed] P L van de grist 
By order of the same, 

[signed] Joannes Nevius, Secretary 

V. R. B. Mss 54, marked F. 



790 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Insurance policy on the ship Het Gekruijste Hart, issued to Jan 
Baptist van Rensselaer' 

April 28, 1665 
Clein Segel, 

6 st 
[signed] Schaep 

We, the underwritten, promise and bind ourselves to insure, and 
hereby do insure, you Jan Bapt a . van Rensclacr, merchant in this 
city, or any one else interested in the whole or part, nothing ex- 
cepted, to wit, each of us for the sum here underwritten by him, 
from Manahatans in New Netherland and parts circumjacent thereto 
to this city of Amsterdam, the risk to begin from the hour and 
day that the ship lifts her anchor at Manahatans to sail hither, with 
permission to enter port and sail to any place at the skipper's pleas- 
ure, with or without the knozvledge of the insured or the super- 
cargo, and this on all goods and merchandise perishable or im- 
perishable, none excepted, already loaded or still to be loaded in 
the ship hereafter named, as zvell as on the hull or body of the ves- 
sel, zvhich God preserve, with her cannon, ammunition, equipment 
and appurtenances thereof, belonging to the insured aforesaid or to 
any one else, the ship being named 't gekruijste hart 57 of about 
. . . lasts burden, having as skipper Siewert Dirckssz or 
whoever may sail in his stead as skipper or skippers, also on the 
ship's stores, with the condition that the insured may insure him- 
self for the full value, without being obliged to risk a third or tenth 
oY even a single stiver himself. We deliberately waive the insur- 
ance ordinances of this city and all other laws and ordinances in so 
far as they are contrary to the contents of this [policy] and promise 
in good faith and honesty in case of damage (which God forbid) to 
except nothing nor to claim any interest much less to require or 
exact accounts or other documents, but in all questions to accept the 
simple statement of the insured or the holder of this policy and 
within one month after the abandonment to pay truly and promptly 
the sums subscribed by us, without any deduction, in full, zvithout 
urging of the chamber of insurance aforesaid. And in case of dis- 
pute or average zve submit ourselves to two or three referees to be 



co V. R. B. Mss 55. Printed blank, 40x31.3 cm, following the form suggested by the 
Court of Amsterdam, Jan. 31, 1598; Groot Placaet Boeck, 1:856. To distinguish the 
printed from the written parts, the written parts are printed in italics. 

" The Crossed Heart. 



VA.\ RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS /<Jl 

chosen by the insured or holder of this policy and promise promptly 
to comply with and satisfy their decision, in good faith, whether the 
news received be good or bad. 

The risk, peril and adventure whereof, we hereby 
IhV'city * a g re e to take upon ourselves, from the hour and day 
sterdam] as a ^ ove an d to continue till the aforesaid ship with the 
cannon, ammunition, equipment and appurtenances 
thereof shall have arrived and been unloaded at the place above 
named, the aforesaid ship with her appurtenances and cargo being 
free to sail back and forth, to turn and change her course to the 
right, to the left and to all sides, and in case of need or desire to 
enter all such ports and roadsteads as the skipper or skippers shall 
please. We also insure you against all perils of the sea, storm, fire 
and wind, against friends and enemies, against arrests and detentions 
by kings, queens, princes, lords and communities, against letters of 
marque and reprisal, knavery and carelessness of skippers and crew, 
and all other perils and adventures which the aforesaid ship with 
her appurtenances and cargo may in any wise encounter, whether 
premeditated or unpremeditated, ordinary or extraordinary, none 
excepted, putting ourselves in all such cases in your stead to guard 
you against all loss and damage; so also if anything else should hap- 
pen to the ship with her appurtenances and cargo (which may God 
prevent), we bind ourselves hereby to pay to you, the insured, or 
to your supercargo, all the damage which you may sustain, to 
wit, each of us according to the amount subscribed by him, the 
first underwriter with the last, and this within three months next 
succeeding the time when we shall have been properly advised of 
the loss or damage ; and in all such cases we give you, the insured, 
and all others full power to help in saving and protecting the afore- 
said ship with her appurtenances, whether it be to our loss or profit, 
and to furnish the same with whatever it may need; also to sell 
the same and to distribute the money if the circumstances so require, 
without our consent or permission. We will also pay the expenses 
thereby incurred and the damage suffered, whether anything be 
saved or not, and for the expenses of the same credence shall be 
given to the person who incurred them, on his oath, without any 
objection being raised. We also agree that the insured (as he hereby 
promises) shall pay us an insurance premium of 20 per cent, of 
the amount insured in ready money, 5s zvithout discount, and to re- 



M in rerede gelde. Instead of this expression, the form printed in Groot Placaet 
Bocck, 1:856, has over drte cerst volgende Maenden, after three months next ensuing. 



79 2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

frain from all prolixity, we hold this insurance policy of the same 
force as if it had been drawn up and approved by the schepens and 
equally binding as if all the clauses therein mentioned were put in 
the best form imaginable, to your profit and our loss. All without 
guile or deceit and according to the ordinance of the Chamber of 
Insurance of the city of Amsterdam, submitting ourselves on both 
sides to the laws, usage and judicature of the said Chamber and 
binding therefor our persons and estates present and future, re- 
nouncing as men of honor all cavil and exceptions which might 
be made against this. 

Thus done at Amsterdam, this 28th of April 1S65. The risk to be 
for two thirds on the sliip aforesaid and for one third on the cargo. 

I Subscribed] 

^75° : — I' Jsaac de Bra, agree to this insurance, which God protect, 
for seven hundred and fifty guilders. Date as above. 
f75° : — I, Robert de vicq, agree to this insurance, which God pro- 
tect, for seven hundred and fifty guilders. This day the 29th, 
ditto. 

[Endorsed] Hon. Renselaer. Policy for fi500 — 7^3 part on the 
hull of the ship 7 Gekruijste Hardt and y$ part on goods loaded in 
said ship. 

Jan Hendricksz van Gunst to B. Coornhart, notary at Amster- 
dam 51 ' 

May 15, 16 j 1 

Mr Coornhart, kind friend, greeting. 

Your letter dated the 12th of July 1669 was duly 

handed to me by the bearer of this, which will further 

serve to transmit the enclosed power of attorney made 

(1) out to you and respectfully to request that you will be 

Jan Gunst . 

pleased to make it effective according to its contents 
and to send me the results thereof. As to the money 
from my uncle Jan Minnekes which you trust I must 
have received, 1 have never found out wbo is supposed 
to have drawn it on my behalf and transmitted it to me. 
T request you therefore to demand it once more ac- 
cording to the power of attorney and to give an ac- 

»» r. r. b. Mss 58. 



VAN RENSSELAER HOWTEK MANUSCRIPTS 



793 



to inquire 

after the wife 

or heirs of 

jan gcrritsz, 

glazier 

has as security 

the following 

articles 



count thereof in clue form. It might be that one Ian 
gtrnts, glazier, deceased, who lived on the Heere 
Gracht m Amsterdam, has received some of it In 
that case, he should have informed me of it for as 
security for my debt to him I left in his hands as a 
pledge, a sdver girdle with key ring two silver chains 
two silver-handled knives, four silver spoons three 
gold rings, a Bible with silver mountings and a chain 
also twelve napkins and two table cloths; these or the 
value thereof, must then be returned; please to in- 
quire into this also. I shall consider it a favor if 
you will please send glass for the money you may re- 
ceive and retain for yourself what is due to you for 
your fees and trouble. Aside from the 100 guilders 
there is due to me from aeltje marchal, on account 
of house rent paid to Mr Sille, the sum of 20 guil- 
ders, and also 11 guilders [paid] to Egbert van Bor- 
sum, the last two amounts in seawan, ordinarily reck- 
oned here at four to one in money of Holland so that 
she ought to be ashamed of herself for having denied 
this. Please do not spare her, but in case of unwil- 
lingness constrain her thereto by force of law Trust 
mg the matter to you. I shall in return not fail to do 
you such service as I can ; with best wishes I com- 
mend you to God, and remain. 

Your affectionate friend, 

Xew York, the 15th of May 1671. 

Power of attorney from Jan Hendricksz van Gunst, glazier at 
New York, to B. Coornhart, notary at Amsterdam, to collect 
money from Aeltje Marchal and others*' 

May i-,, io~i 

Appeared before me, Willem Bogardui, notary public residing in 
New \ ork and adm.tted by lb, honorable and worthy Francis /.,»„, 

m I'. R. B. Mss 57. 



Juff. Arllic 
Marschal, inn- 
keeper's daugh- 
ter, lived in 
Si Anna rs : 



To inquire of 
Juff. Verhoeven 
in the vlas 

huys where 
Juff Marschal 
lives 



794 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

lace, on the part of His Royal Highness, James, Duke of York, 
Governor General of all his territories in America, and before the 
hereafter named witnesses, Ian'HendHckss Van Gunst, glazier within 
this city, who declared that he had constituted and fully empowered, 
as he hereby does constitute and empower S r . B: Coomhart, notary 
at Amsterdam, to demand, procure and receive in the name and be- 
half of the principal : 

i From the honorable commissioners of insolvent estates at 
Amsterdam such moneys in the possession of the said chamber of 
insolvent estates as have devolved upon the principal by succession 
and inheritance through the death of Ian Minnekes Van Gunst, his 
uncle on his mother's side, 51 who when alive was a resident of Am- 
sterdam aforesaid ; and to acknowledge receipt of the same and give 
security against future claims. 

2 Also, from Aeltje Marchals, widow of Evert Marc hall de- 
ceased, the sum of ioo Carolus guilders, according to the original 
note of hand signed by her the 28th of July 62 1662 at the manhatans, 
hereunto annexed. 

3 Also, from Jutfzv. Houthuysen dwelling in the gecroonde 
Stockvis® 3 on warmoes street in Amsterdam, or in case of her de- 
cease, from her heirs or executors or administrators of her estate, 
the sum of JJ guilders, 15 stivers, 12 pence, earned wages?* ac- 
cording to the account hereto likewise annexed. 65 Also to acknowl- 
edge receipt of the same and if need be to give security against 
future claims. 

Also, in case of unwillingness to pay, to act in the matter and 
bring or defend suit before all proper courts, justices, laws and 
jurisdictions, either as plaintiff or defendant, to see and hear sen- 
tence or sentences pronounced, to cause them to be executed or to 
move appeal or modification thereof, to prosecute the matter of 
appeal or modification as well as to renounce the same, and all this 
with such absolute warrant, power and authority as the principal 
could or might have if he were present himself, promising under 
the bond of law to keep inviolate and to cause to be kept inviolate 
whatever may be done or performed in the matter aforesaid by his 
representative ; the representative being obliged under like bond of 



01 Underlined in original. 
R - Underlined in original. 

The date is given in the note of hand as June; see below. 
88 Crowned Stockfish. 
M Underlined in original. 
06 This account is not among the Van Rensselaer Bowicr Mss. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 795 

law to render proper accounts, proof and returns. Thus done and 
passed in New York, the 15th of May 1671, in the presence of 
Messrs Hcndrick Van Dijck, Hans Kierstccde and Willem van 
Vredenburgh as witnesses hereunto invited, who have also signed 
the original minute, with the principal and myself, the notary. 

Which I certify, 
[signed] W. Bogardus, Not. Pub. 
[Endorsed] From van gunst, 

out of New Netherland. 
Sent by Captain Black, skipper, 4 Dec. 1671, 
to take to New York. 

Note of hand of Aeltje Marchal to Jan Hendricksz van Gunst' 73 

(Annexed to the above) 

In the menadus, 67 the 28th of June 166:? 

I, the underwritten, acknowledge that I am truly indebted to Jan 
henderixse van guynst or the bearer of this, for the sum of one 
hundred Carolus guilders, which I owe him for board received dur- 
ing two winters, to wit, in the year 1661 and in the year 1662, which 
I will honestly pay him as I received it while my husband was to 
verginy. I say 100 guilders. 

aeltie Mareschacl 

This I have written with my own hand. 
[Endorsed] 

On harte street, under the - - - [ ?] 

Account and invoice of the ship de Witte Kloodt 08 

July 6, i6ji 

1671, in Amsterdam 
Account and invoice of the ship, dc witte kloodt,® skipper dirck 
muyssen Hooninch, and of its lading and equipment, which said 
ship sailed on the 6th of July for the account of Messrs Jacob van 
aldcnverclt, Matthys ten brocck, Jan baptist van Rensselaer, [pre- 
fer van werckhoouen and Abel de wolff, each one fifth part, to which 
may the Lord God please to grant his blessing. Amen. 

r " ; V. R. n. Mss 59. 
w Manhattans. 
68 V. R. B. Mss 56. 
89 The White Globe. 



796 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

7 boxes marked with the letter A in 
which are 

32 pieces of say at 315/2 guilders fiooS 

36 pieces ditto at 34^ guilders 1242 

9 pieces ditto at 355/2 guilders 319 10 
61 pieces ditto at 35 guilders 2135 
2 pieces ditto at 34 guilders 68 
for hauling, lightering and un- 
loading 17 10 



f4790 f479Q 



30 boxes marked with the letter B in 

which are 
700 guns at 31^ guilders 
700 muskets at 63 stivers 
600 carbines at 53 stivers 

to the skipper 



1 fo& 

received from daniel le febure f6i85 13 ^6185 13 

16 small boxes marked with the letter C 
in which are 
1032 bed sheets at 27 st ^393 4 



f245o 




2205 




159^ 




3 


3 


f6248 


3 


62 


10 



received from s r matthys ten 

broeck fi393 4 fi393 4 

1 box marked with the letter D 

50 small anabasse 70 blankets at 24 st f 60 

50 large anabasse blankets at 48 st 120 

50 small worsted rugs at 18 st 45 



7 small packages of yellow amber 
which are specified below 
received from s r matthys ten 

broeck e f225 1225 



7 " Anabasse is a coarse blanketing made in tlie Netherlands and Normandy and still 
used in the African trade. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 



797 



I cask marked with the letter E 
141 lb yellow amber from 

eliyas at 36 st £253 16 



1$ off 
300 bunches 71 of small coral 



2 10 



1 keg - , letter F, containing 
50 lb white tassels 7 - at \o l A st 
off 



for the cask 

from gerret bcssels 
total 

brought forward from preced- 
ing page 

4 small boxes, letter G, with 
50 mengeP 3 pitchers ) 164^2 lb pewter 
20 pint pitchers j at 51 guilders 

for making the pitchers 



f25i 6 



at 19 st f285 




i'/, off 2 17 






f282 3 


62 bunches of small coral 




from dyonys bacilly 




at 16 st 


49 12 



f583 1 f583 1 



f26 


5 





10 


fas 


15 





16 



f26 II 



f8 3 18 
20 



f26 II 



f 1 3203 9 
f 1 3203 9 



71 Mas; from Italian tiiacso, a bunch of assorted corals consisting of a definite 
number of strings. 

7 - quispell; the ordinary meaning of this word is as given above but its sense here 
is obscure. 

73 mengel; a liquid measure, approximately 1.25 quarts. 



79^ NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

123 bowls weighing 169 lb at 56 

guilders 94 13 



fi98 11 
i^off 2 



from the widow of pieter borsedt iig6 11 fi96 11 

12 small boxes, letter H 
688 dozen knives and as many sheathes 

at 14^ st f498 16 

i# off 5 



from Jan mom f493 16 f493 16 

1 cask, letter J 
48 pivots at 66 guilders, 200 lb fi32 

1 cask, letter K 
55 pails weighing 202 lb at 74 guilders f 149 9 

18 small casks, letter L 

22910 bracelets weighing 7046 lb at 

49 guilders *345 2 J o 



2$ off 

for the casks, etc. 
from Jan gerrctsz de Jonge iz&&9 2 f 3^9 2 

1000 bars of ballast 74 iron weighing 



f2i48 16 



f3733 


19 


74 


14 


f3659 


5 


29 


17 



29938 lb at 7 T 4 guilders 
10 off 


i2lJ0 IO 
21 14 


from s r Jacob van aldcrzvcrclt 


£2148 16 


tagie. 





VAN RENSSELAER DOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 799 

25 ankers 1 * of brandy at 18 guilders £450 

for the casks and expenses 27 11 8 



from s r Jacob van alderwerelt i\yy 118 £477 118 

40 kegs containing 1000 lb powder at 

29 guilders f290 

for the kegs and expenses 26 6 



from s r Jacob van alderzuerelt {316 6 £316 6 

3 boxes, letter A 
60 pieces of say at 35 guilders f2ioo 



from abraham Rooleeuw f2ioo f2ioo 

for convoy fees and charges 76 paid by 

s r alderwerelt f 102 

for convoy fees and charges paid by 

s r Rensselaer 645 9 

for boxes, chests and bringing on board f236 



£983 9 £983 9 



total f236o9 o S 

To Mr wilhelm ysbrandtsen for the hull of the pin- 
nace, 85 feet long, 21 feet wide, 20 feet deep, the 
deck about 5 feet, according to the specifications 
and orders to the carpenter and paid therefor f 5000 

to comelis schaagen and jan keyser, sail makers, for 

two sets of new sails according to bill 1349 *8 

to jan zvittcboll for 12 179 lb rope with some lines 

according to bill 2058 15 

to the widow of nikolaes visch for 10 pieces of can- 
non with the testing of the same according to bill 722 6 

to harmen steenbergen, coppersmith, for kettles, pots, 
pans and other copper ware for the ship according 
to bill 195 

'' anker; a liquid measure of about ton gallons. 
70 conuoy en veyJgelt. 



8oO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to arent hcndricxrjcn, woodcarver, for carving 

to jan anthonlssen for painting the ship inside and 
outside 

to lysbet Cornells for beer consumed during the car- 
pentering and sheathing 

to mattheus cocnraetscn, plumher, for some lead and 
balls according to bill 

to furnishing various kinds of materials used in 
sheathing the ship according to bill 

to willem ysbrantsen for wages of the men in sheath- 
ing the ship 

to Cornells bruynneel for flags, compasses and lanterns 
according to bill 

to jan Jillesen for 6 anchors costing according to bill 

to the smith for bolts, bands, hoops and other iron 
ware according to bill 

to luycas claassen, mast maker, for the round timber 

to dirck frqnsen for a new boat 

to dirck symonsen gordt for 10 gun carriages with 
accessories 

to hendrlck abelsen for wainscotting the cabin and 
accessories 

to jan clacssen muyshondt for 188 boards for the 
sheathing 

to Cornells Cornells.':, block maker, for blocks, etc. 

to s r Jacob van alderzverelt for 400 lb powder 

to dirck muyssen hoonlnch for food consume. 1 in 
going to sardain and for freight 

paid for caulking of the siiip 

for measuring the ship and tax bill 

to dirck muyssen hoonlnch for provisions bought by 
him, porters' wages, freight on the cordage, tow- 
ing of the ship and other sundries 

for three figures carved on the stern of the ship 

to darnel le febure for 8 muskets, 6 pistols, 10 broad- 
swords, 6 pikes, 2 muskets and a pair of pocket 
pistols 

to pleter zvltsen for pewter in the cabin 



total 



70 


10 


78 


11 


7 6 




69 


18 8 


4i3 


5 


279 


17 


255 


6 


377 


2 


203 


5 


154 


10 


85 




66 


8 


103 




129 


14 


140 


12 


116 




174 


11 


40 




17 


12 


174 


17 


17 


IT 


81 


19 


29 


IO 


' 1 2 1.8< 1 


17 s 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 8oi 

to the widow of Cornells de vries for 40,000 ballast 

bricks f 172 6 

to dirck muysscn hooninch for one month's wages iri 

hand paid and for his journey to the Texel 
to s alderwerelt for 7 barrels of pork at 27 guilders 
to .y alderwerelt for 20 bags df barley at 3^4 guilders 

f/5 ; for the barrels for the barley fn 
for 56 lb caraway cheese 
for 4 earthen pitchers, 1 wooden funnel, 1 clock, some 

earthen pots and soap 
to iiuirya vander vinct for 3 ankers train oil 
to saertien huys for 3 barrels of salt 
to ellard de zveer for 2000 lb stockfish 
for 12 iron and 18 bundles of wooden hoops 
to // end rick gerretsen for 9 casks for dry wares 
to arent bulsinck for 44 lb cheese, 3 lb wicks, 121 lb 

tallow and 64 lb lard 
to Cornells Radt for 3 barrels of olive oil and spices 
to frederick broech for 1 case of distilled liquors 
to Reyer Jacobscn for 3728 lb hardtack 
to Maes hooninch for 12 bags of gray and 12 bags of 

white peas 
to clacs gcrrctdtscn blauzvpodt for 4 firkins of butter 
to Jan van crayepoel for 5 barrels of tar, 1 barrel pitch 
for 53 loaves of soft bread 
to gerret tlercxsen, cooper, for 18 brandy casks with 

iron hoops 
to Cornells and Jan bykerck for 25 spars and 50 sawed 

boards 
to gerret noppen for 12 brandy casks, with 34. barrels 

of ship's beer and 4 kegs of good beer, with the 

casks and hoops 
to jan pletersen for 10 fathoms of firewood and 12 

straps 
to . I rent vanden blnck for 4 half hogsheads of 

vinegar, two casks Spanish wine, 4 casks French 

wine, 8 ankers of cognac brandy with the casks 329 

to hendrlck Roodt for IOO sweet milk cheeses, various 

sorts of nails, gunner's and cook's supplies and 

rosin 339 15 

51 



409 


11 


189 




86 




5 


12 


16 


16 


22 


13 


10 


10 


150 


10 


17 


4 


12 




53 


19 


112 


11 


27 


12 


287 




88 


4 


76 


15 


64 




9 


18 


84 




54 




204 




7i 


16 



8o2 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to philip allerdinck for 1040 lb bacon, 3 hams and 2 

pieces of smoked beef with 6 tongues 193 
to lighter charges for the stores, porterage and 6 

cartridge pouches 28 18 

to dirck muysscn hooninch for ship's money 126 

to 1 oncenaar, some cheese, bread and butter 21 18 

to 15 small empty merchandise boxes 28 10 
to various meetings at sardam as well as here, with 

sundry expenses 136 



total f3428 18 8 

the merchandise loaded in the ship d' wittc Moot 

amounting to 23609 o 8 

the ship with its equipment 12480 17 8 

the stores for the intended voyage 3428 18 8 
for cash kept in case anything should have been 

forgotten 76 

for our commission at 1 $ 395 3 8 

for tavern expenses at the settling of this account 10 



total f40000 

Specification of what I have paid on account of the 
ship de zvitte Moo}, which must be brought under the 
head of expenses. 
1671 
19 January, for a meeting at the N here logim 1 7T 
26 ditto, for a meeting at the draecM* 
29 ditto, for a journey to sardam the 6 of us 
12 February, for a meeting at the bracke gront 79 

7 March, for a journey to sardam, the 6 of us 
26 May, for a meeting at the iV here logim* 

4 June, for a meeting at Vander elst doelen 

8 ditto, for earnest money to vandc ringen 

18 ditto, for transportation of 30 boxes 

19 ditto, for transportation of 8 large and 16 small 

boxes and 2 small casks 



f 


4 


1 




f 


4 


6 




f 


16 


16 




f 


6 


6 




f 


16 


11 


8 


f 


5 


— 




f 


7 


13 




f 


1 


4 




fc 


48 


17 4 


fl 


65 


12 


4 



77 Nicuwc Ili-rc logiment; New Gentlemen's Hotel. 

78 Dragon. 

70 Brackish Ground. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 

2$ ditto, for transportation of 16 small boxes 

26 ditto, for a farewell dinner at the kluijvcuirs 

doelen, 80 etc. 

27 ditto, for transportation of 3 boxes 

1 July, for 2 meetings at the gouwde Ieeuw, 8i etc. 

2 ditto, for transportation and other expenses of 18 

small and 2 larger casks, together 



total 



continued 



803 
f 31 18 4 

f 26 14 8 

f 32 — 4 
f 7 10 

fi67 2 4 

1741 1 s2 



fl2D4 2 

f3689 2 



to M r Willem ijsbrantse, 4 entries 

to I G, 2 entries 



also, to your brother at sardam 
to daniel lefebure 
above amount 
commission 

balance still due 



fSooo 

Brant Schuyler to Kiliaen van Rensselaer^ 

December 30, 1606 

In New York, 30 Dec. 1696 
Dear sir and friend : 

Yours of the 20th of November, T received with pleasure and in 



f 4953 
3 1 


4 
10 


14984 
2134 


14 

13 


171 19 
74i 


7 
1 


f786o 
f 79 


8 
S 


*7939 

60 


8 8 
11 8 



80 Klovcniers doclen; Arquebusiers' Guild-house. 

81 flolden Lion. 

82 So in the original but the addition is incorrect; the patroon reckons the duit at 
1/16 of a stiver and at this rate the total should be 1741 12 4. 

83 V. R. B. Mss 60. 



804 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARV 

health; God grant that we may both long" be blessed therewith. I 
am sorry for your sake that the fleet waits so long before beginning" 
its return voyage to the fatherland. I wish that you had remained 
here till the end of February or the beginning of March, as your 
company would have been very agreeable to me. I doubt not but 
you would then have found transportation from here to Maryland 
or Virginia by water. I imagine that the tine seems long to you 
because you have or can make few acquaintances there owing to 
the fact that the people live so far apart. At your request I have 
given your compliments to our friends, who thank you and send 
theirs through me. Be kind enough not to forget, upon your safe 
arrival, to send us a statement of our Holland accounts, including 
the interest, in order that we may settle our accounts, with cousin 
Renselaer. Our friends here and in Albany are still well ; where- 
with ending, with hearty greetings from myself and my wife to 
you and my neighbor van dam and best wishes for a happy and 
blessed New Year and a safe journey, I remain, 

Your obliging friend and servant, 

[signed] Brandt Schuijler 
[Addressed] 

To Mr Kyliejaen Van Renselaer 
Per Mr Antell Virginia 

[Seal bearing a falcon, differing from the usual Schuyler arms 
in that the falcon is turned to the sinister, is not hooded and not 
perched on the arm of the falconer. Crest: a star.] 



SETTLERS ( >F R.ENSSELAERSWYCK 
1630-1658 

Tli is list wives a concise record of the arrival and occupation of settlers in the 
colony, from the date of its founding to the end of the administration of Jan Baptist 
van Rensselaer, in so far as such record appears in the Van Rensselaer Bowier Manu- 
scripts and the Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts. As to the first of these sources, the 
statements have been limited to leading facts and the reader is referred for further 
information to the preceding pages of the present volume. As to the second source, 
a careful examination has been made of ledger accounts with colonists, 1634—77, T 3 v - 1 
accounts of Jeremias van Rensselaer, 1654—59, 1 v.; court proceedings, 1648—52, 1 v.; 
resolutions of the commissioners of the colony, 1652—64, 1 v.; leases and contracts, 
1648—52, 1 v.; deeds, powers of attorney, etc., 1660—65, 1 v.; and a considerable 
number of miscellaneous papers. Together, these include practically everything of 
consequence that has been preserved of the early records of the colony, and the infor- 
mation contained therein has been given as fully and definitely as possible. 

The arrangement is alphabetical under the date of arrival when known, otherwise 
under the date of the first entry in the accounts. Pains have been taken to indicate 
various forms of names and also to locate the places from which settlers came. To 
emphasize that the proper name preceded by van was a place name and not a family 
'name, the word van has been translated from in all cases where the entries in the records 
made it certain that such was the case; in names, such as van Vechten and van 
Voorhout, which are constantly used by different members of the family and where 
there might be some doubt as to whether they referred to the actual place of origin 
or ha«l already become family names before the persons using them left Holland, it has 
seemed advisable to retain the ran. Names marked with an * are those of people 
who entered into contracts with the patroon, but for one reason or another did not 
e to the colony. 

163O 

By de Eendracht 

Sailed from the Texel, March 21, 1630; arrived at New > I msterdam, 

May 24, 1630 

Claes Claesz, from Vleckcr [Fleckero, an island off the south coast 
of Norway] ; sailed with Roclof Jansz in 16,30 and served as farm hand 
nil de Lacts Burg. His name does not appear in the records of the colony 
after 1634. 

Wolfert Gerritsz, from Amersfoort; occasionally referred to as Wolfert 
Gerritsz van Couwcnhoven, Couwenhoven being a farm or estate about four 
miles northwest of Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht. He was en- 
gaged by the patroon in Jan. [630 to superintend the establishment of 
farms in the colony and to purchase cattle. He was to serve for four 
years, each year from April to November, but at his request was released 
by the patroon in 1632. He lived at the Manhatans. 

Jacob Goyversen (Goyverttsen), from Vleckcr [Fleckero, Norway]; 
sailed with Roelof Jansz in 1630. 

Pieter Hendricksz, from Soest, [presumably the village of that name 
in the province of Utrecht, but possibly the city of Soest in Westphalia]; 
was engaged in 1630 as a shepherd or plow boy, for the term of four 
years, at f 1 5 a year, lie served under Rutger Hendricksz and probably left 
the colony in it>3J. 

Rutger Hendricksz, from Soest; was engaged in 1630, for four years, 
at fi2o a year, and in 1632 appears as farmer on Rensselaers Burg, on 
Castle Island, lie was appointed schoul in [632, but probably never quali- 
fied and seems to have left the colony in [634. 

805 



806 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Barent (Beerent) Jansz; given in one list as from Desens, and in an- 
other as from Esen, neither of which place names can be definitely indenti- 
fied. He sailed in 1630 as farm servant to Brant Peelen. His name does 
not appear in the records of the colony after 1634. 

Roelof Jansz, from Masterland [Marstrand, on the coast of Sweden]; 
sailed in 1630 with his wife Annetje Jans, his daughters Sara and 
Trijntje and another child born before in New Netherland. He was 
farmer on de Laets Burg and was appointed schepen July 1, 1632. He prob- 
ably left the colony in 1634. 

Seger (Zeeger) Jansz, from Nykerck, [province of Gelderland] ; sailed 
in 1630 and served as farm hand under Rutger Hendricksz, on Rensselaers 
Burg. Oct. 3, 1636, he is referred to as having been drowned. 

Brant Peelen, from Nykerck, [province of Gelderland] ; was engaged 
as farmer in Jan. 1630, for the term of four years, at wages of fno a year, 
and in 1632 was appointed schepen. He was married twice, first to Lub- 
bertje Wouters, by whom he had three children, Lysbeth Brants, Geert 
Brants and Gerritje Brants and secondly, at New Amsterdam, July 3, 1643, to 
Marritje Pieters, widow of Claes Sybrantsz, who had two children, Sybrant 
Claesz and Aeltje Claes. Lysbeth and Gerritje Brants came to the colony 
by den Waterhondt in 1640. One of them married Claes Jansz Calff. Brant 
Peelen died before May 1, 1644, when Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout suc- 
ceeded him on his farm, called Welys Burg, on Castle Island. 

1631 

By de Ecndracht 
Sailed from the TcxcJ shortly after July J, 1631 

Marinus Adriaensz (Marijn Adriaensz, Maryn Adriaensen, Marin 
Adriaensz, Marinus Ariaens), from Veere, [in the province of Zealand]; 
entered into a contract with Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Jan. 12, 1631, to serve 
as tobacco planter for the period of three years, if possible, on the farm on 
the north side of Fort Orange. " which he began to clear before his depar- 
ture." He sailed with his wife Lysbet Thysen and one child and several 
farm laborers by de Eendracht in July T63T. In 1632 he was appointed sche- 
pen and the same year he is referred to as farmer on Godyns Burg situated 
south of Fort Orange. His name does not occur in the account books of the 
colony; he probably left the colony at the end of his term in 1634. 

*Claes Brunsteyn, from Straelsundt [Stralsund, in Pomerania]; entered 
into an agreement with Marinus Adriaensz, May 27, 1631, but did not sail for 
the colony. 

*Andries Christensz, from Flecker [Fleckero, Norway]; entered into 
a contract with the patroon for the erection of a sawmill, July 2, 1631, but did 
not come to the colony. 

Jasper Ferlyn (Ferlin, Ferlijn) van der Gouw, from Middelburgh, [in 
the province of Zealand] ; entered the service of Marinus Adriaensz as 
tobacco planter, Feb. 17, 1631, for the term of three years, beginning on his 
arrival in the colony. Tlis name docs not appear in the account books of t he 
colony; he probably left af the end of his term in 1634. 

* Cornelis Goverts (Gerritssz), from Flecker [Fleckero, Norway]; was 
engaged to sail by de Eendracht in 163 1, but failed to go. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 807 

Laurens Laurensz (Lourenssen, Loerens), from Coppenhagen; also 
referred to as Laurens Laurensen no or man. He and two other Scandina- 
vians were engaged, July 2, 1631, for three years, to erect a sawmill in the 
colony. Laurens Laurensz was appointed schepen in 1632 and in July of 
that year is referred to by the patroon as miller on de Laets kil, which is 
the present Mill Creek in the city of Rensselaer. Laurens Laurensz' name 
does not appear in the business accounts of the colony for 1634; he probably 
left at the end of his term of service. 

Cornelis Maesen (Maersz, Maertsz, Martsen, Maessen), from Buyrmal- 
sen [Buurmalsem, in the province of Gelderland] ; sailed for New Nether- 
land as a farm laborer in 1631, having been engaged by the patroon on 
May 27th, for the term of three years, and went back to Holland shortly after 
Aug. 2, 1634, on which date he is charged in the colony with f 12:18 for 
clothes and brandy. Aug. 15, 1636, he entered into a new contract with the 
patroon and the same year he sailed by the Rensselaerswyck, accompanied 
by his wife Catelijntje Martens and a servant by the name of Cornelis 
Teunisz, from Westbroeck. On the voyage, Jan. 30, 1637, a son was born 
named Hendrick Cornelisz. Cornelis: Maesen arrived in the colony the 
second time about April 17, 1637. From that time till his death, some time 
before April 8, 1648, he occupied a farm on or near Papscanee Island. Cor- 
nelis Maesen and his wife were buried the same day; their effects were 
sold at auction Shrove Tuesday, 1649. 

Barent Thonisz (Berent Thonis, Thonissen, Tonisz, Theunisz, Thomas- 
sen), from Heijligesont [Hellesund, on the south coast of Norway]; he 
and two other Scandinavians were engaged, July 2, 1631, for the period of 
three years, to build a sawmill in the colony. The name of Barent Thonisz 
does not appear in the account books of the colony; he probably left at the 
end of his term in 1634. 

Jan Tyaerts (Thyerts, Chierts, Teersz, Terssen, Treersz), from 
Franicker, [in the province of Friesland] ; was engaged as a farm laborer, 
May 27, 163T, for the period of three years, at f6o a year, and sailed with 
Marinus Adriaensz on de Eendracht in July of that year. In the account 
books he is entered as a farm hand of Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuckelen, 
from June 1, 1635, to July 19, 1637. .He probably left the colony soon after 
the last named date. 

1633 

By den Soutbcrg 

Sailed from the Tcxcl shortly after July 20, 1632; arrived at New 

Amsterdam in April 1633 

Hendrick Fredericksz (Frerixsen), from Bunnick, [near Utrecht]; was 
engaged as farm laborer for Gerrit Theusz de Reux and sailed with him, 
being then 26 years of age. In the accounts of the colony he is charged with 
supplies from 1638 to 1643 and credited with wages earned in cutting straw, 
thatching roofs, threshing and other work, between 1638 and 1650. In May 
1638, he acted as foreman on de Reux' farm. 

Cornelis Jacobsz, from Martensdyck, [near Utrecht] ; was engaged as 
farm laborer for Rutger Hendricksz, on Rensselaers Burg and sailed 
with Gerrit Theusz de Reux, being then 23 years of age. His name does 
not appear in the account books of the colony. 



808 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Marcus Mensen (Mens, Meussen), from Culenburgh, or Cuylenborch, 
[province of Gelderland] ; was engaged as farm boy for Brant Peelen, on 
Welys Burg, and sailed with Gerrit Theusz de Reux, being then 17 years of 
age. The entries of his account in the colony, April 17-Aug. 18, 1637, are 
canceled. 

Gerrit Theusz de Reux (de Reus); was engaged by the patroon as 
fanner on a farm to be established on Blommaerts kil, June 15, 1632, but had 
previously been in charge of a farm of the West India Company on the 
island of Manhattan. He sailed with four farm laborers by den Soutberg, 
which brought Wouter van Twiller to New Netherland. Before sailing, de 
Reux was appointed schepen of the colony. In April 1634, he had succeeded 
Roelof Jansz, from Masterland, on de Laets Burg. He died before Aug. 4, 
1639. 

Cornelis Teunisz, from Meerkerck, [province of South Holland] ; was 
engaged as farm laborer for Gerrit Theusz de Reux and sailed with him, 
being then 20 years of age. His first account in the ctilony runs from Feb. 
2 to Aug. 20, 1637; he next appears in 1640, and later is said to have come 
on den Harinck; presumably therefore, he visited Holland shortly after Aug. 
20, 1637, and returned to the colony by den Harinck in 1639. He is charged 
with three years' hire of two horses from 1640 to 1643, and credited with 
wages ea'rned in cutting and hauling timber. His name does not appear in 
the records of the colony after 1643. 

1634 

By de Ecndracht 
Sailed from the Texel in the beginning of May 1634 

Hendrick Carstensz, from Norden, [East Friesland] ; sailed by de Ecn- 
dracht and served under Brant Peelen from July 20, 1634, for four years, at 
f25 a year, and again for three years, at fi4o a year. He does not appear 
in the records of the colony after 1643. 

* Hendrick Conduit, froth Coninghsbergen [Konigsberg, East Prussia]; 
made a contract with the patroon on April 15, 1634, but failed to come to the 
colony. 

Lubbert Gijsbertsz, from Blaricum, [near Naarden, in the province of 
North Holland], wheelwright; made a contrac! with the patroon on April 
15, 1634, and sailed with his wife Divertgcn Cornelis and three sons, Gijs- 
bert, Theus and Jan, by de Eendracht. His account in the colony runs from 
July 20, 1634 to 1647. 

Robbert Hendricksz; is credited in the accounts with wages at 
fn a month, from Dec. 16, 1634, 1° June _'.?. 1035; with £30 for splitting 3500 
pall esae ten (stockade posts) for the farm on Castle Island; and witli f(u:S 
for splitting 5000 similar posts for the new farm of Cornelis Teunisz. I lis 
account was closed June 23, [635. 

Jan Jacobsz; credited with 13' .'. months' wages at fn a mouth for 
service as farm hand under Branl Peelen on Castle Island, with fioo for 
threshing and with 12 months' wages at f 13 a month. Mis service ended ap- 
parently April 17, 1037. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 809 

Jacob Albertsz Planck, from Edam, [province of North Holland]; 
bound himself, March 4, 1634, to serve as schout and agent of the colony for 
three years from the date of his arrival and sailed with his son Abraham 
Jacobsz Planck and one servant by de Eendracht. In a letter of Oct. 3, 1636, 
he is called " officer and cominis." Planck's accounts run from Aug. 12, 1634, 
to Nov. 26, 1637, but apparently he did not leave Rensselaerswyck till after 
van Curler's arrival in 1638. Sept. 20, 1639, he certified at Amsterdam to the 
sale of Papscanee Island by the Indians, on April- 23, 1637. Planck was the 
second person to receive an appointment as schout, Rutger Hendricksz, from 
Soest, having been appointed as such in July 1632, but in all probability Planck 
was the first schout who took the oath and held court. 

Cornells Anthonisz van Schlick, from Breuckelen, [near Utrecht]; 
generally referred to as Cornells Teuniss, often as Broer Cornells and oc- 
casionally as Cornells Tennis.?, alias breeder ; signs his name Cornells anthon- 
nisen I'an schlick. He was a carpenter and mason and sailed by de Eendracht 
in 1634, having entered into a contract with the patroon on April 5th of that 
year. His account in the colony begins Aug. 12, 1634. He was before Oct. 
1636 in charge of a farm, which till 1648 he seems to have worked on shares; 
from 1648 to 1652 he is charged with an annual rent of f6oo; from 1652 to 
i66r, with an annual rent of t'500. The indications are that during all these 
years he occupied the same farm, which appears to have been located some 
distance north of the fifth, now Patroon's, creek and to have adjoined the 
farm called de Vlacktc, later known as the Schuyler Flatts. Between 1643 
and 1648, Cornelis Teunisz spent much of his time at the Manhatans ; Aug. 
6, 1646, de Hooges urges him to come up the river to see how the harvest 
proceeds and intimates that he might come to the colony at least once a 
year to look after his farm. While at the Manhatans, Aug. 22, 1646, he re- 
ceived from Director Kieft a patent for land at Catskill, in return for ser- 
vices rendered in bringing about general peace and in ransoming prisoners 
in the hands of the Indians. He was appointed the patroon's voorspraecke, 
or representative, May 12, 1639, and as such filled the place of officer jointly 
with Arent van Curler and Pieter Cornelisz, till the arrival of van der 
Donck in 1641. Sept. 23. 1650, he was chosen to go with van Curler and 
others on an embassy to the Maquaes, and in 1658, 1660 and 1661 he was a 
member of the courl of the colony. 

1637 

B y l he Rensselaerswyck 
Sailed from the Texel, October 8, 1636; arrived at New Amster- 
dam, March. 4, 1637 

Albert Andriesz, from Frederikstad, Tin the southeast of Norway]; 
hence, in the early records, his designation as Noorman. After 1670, he be- 
came known as Albert Andriesz Bradt. Aug. 26, 1636, he joined Pieter Cor- 
nelisz and Claes Janss in an agreement with the patroon for the erection of a 
mill in the colony. In this agreement he is given as tobacco planter, 29 
years id' age. Me sailed with his wife Annetje Barents on the Rensselaers- 
wyck, Oct. 8, [636, and appears first in the colony under date of April 17, 
1637. Soon after his arrival he left Pieter Cornelisz and established himself 



8lO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

as tobacco planter. From May 4, 1652, to May 4, 1672, he is charged with 
an annual rent of 1250 for two mills and land on the Normans Kill. Annetje 
Barents died before June 5, 1662, leaving him eight children of whom the 
eldest was born on the Rensselaerswyck and named Storm. This son later 
adopted the name of van der Zee. Albert Andriesz married the second 
time Geertruy Pietersz Vosburgh. He is said to have died June 7, 1686. 

Arent Andriesz, tobacco planter; a brother of Albert Andriesz, from 
Frederikstad, and like him designated as Noorman. He appears to have come 
over with his brother on the Rensselaerswyck and to have stayed with him in 
the colony for one year. His wages began April 2, 1637, at f7S a year. 
Between 1638 and 1646, he is various times credited with tobacco fur- 
nished to van Curler and de Hooges. May 1, 1658, he obtained a lease for 
land opposite Beverwyck. 

Thijs Barentsz, shoemaker; charged with supplies from June 5, 1637, 
to 1643, when he was indebted to the amount of f34i:i4. Jan. 18, 1652, 
he was ordered to pay his account within a month. 

Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen; was a young relative of Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer and came out as farm hand by the Rensselaerswyck. May 12, 
1639, he was authorized to establish himself as farmer on de Laets Burg, 
on the farm formerly occupied by Gerrit Theusz de Reux. In the accounts 
he is credited with four years' salary, at fno a year, beginning April 3, 
1637. One half year's wages are charged to Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuck- 
elen. His account closes Sept. 7, 1641. Feb. 12, 1642, he is referred to by 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer as having lately returned from New Netherland. 

Carsten Carstensz (Christen Christensz), commonly referred to as 
Carsten Carstensz Noorman ; is first entered in the accounts under date of 
April 17, 1637, hence probably came on the Rensselaerswyck. Before 1644, 
he was employed as a farm laborer, sawyer, stave splitter, mill hand and 
roof thatcher. Afterwards he leased a garden, which in 1650 was granted to 
Gijsbert Cornelisz, from Weesp. 

Gijsbert Claesz, also referred to as Gijsbert Claess Jongen (the boy) ; 
was a carpenter by trade and like Jacob Jansz, from Amsterdam, is credited 
in the accounts with four years' wages from April 2, 1637, at f40 a year. 
Both men appear to have been employed by Albert Andriesz and probably came 
over with him on the Rensselaerswyck. His account closes Sept. 5, 1641. 

Pieter Claesz (Niclaesz), from Nordingen, or Norden, [in East Fries- 
land] ; is credited with six years' wages from April 3, 1637, and in Aug. 1644 
is mentioned as servant of Symon Walichsz. He probably arrived with the 
latter on the Rensselaerswyck. He is charged with rent, at fn a year, from 
1643 to 1645, and in 1648-49 appears to have occupied a farm at Bethlehem. 
He left the colony before June 5, 1649. He was the son in law of Cornelis 
Hendricksz van Nes. 

Crijn (Quirijn) Cornelisz, from Houten, [near Utrecht]. His accounts 
in the colony run from April 20, 1637, to Aug, 21, 1639 and from Jan 1, 1641, 
to 1648. May 30, 1640, he is referred to by the patroon as about to sail from 
Holland. Presumably, therefore, he came out on the Rensselaerswyck in 
1637, went back to Holland in 1639 and returned to the colony by den 
Waterhondt in 1640, accompanied by Cornelis Crijncn, Jan Crijnen, Jan Cor- 
nelisz and Jan Reyersz, all from Houten. He served at first under Gerrit 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 8ll 

Theusz de Reux and from Jan. i, 1641, to Jan. 1, 1642, as farm hand on a 
farm in Greenbu&h, which he thereafter seems to have occupied as farmer, 
jointly with Pieter Teunisz, from Brunswijck. In April 1648, he was re- 
peatedly ordered to settle his accounts and Nov. 18, 1649, his farm was leased 
to Evert Pels and Willem Fredericksz [Bout]. With Christoffel Davids, he 
also occupied, till stubble time 1649, six morgens of land in Greenbush, which 
in 1650 were leased to Teunis Dircksz van Vechten. Nov. 2, 1651, Crijn Cor- 
nelisz and Hans Jansz. from Rotterdam, received permission to erect a saw- 
mill on a creek on the west side of the river, a little north of Beeren Island. 

Pieter Cornelisz, from Munnickendam, [in the province of North Hol- 
land] ; occasionally referred to as Pieter Cornelisz Meulenmaecker (mill 
vvright) ; sailed by the Rensselaerswyck, Sept. 25, 1636, after having entered 
in company with Claes Jansz, from Naerden, and Albert Andriesz, from 
Frederikstad, into an agreement with the patroon for the erection of a saw- 
mill in the colony. In this agreement, dated Aug. 26, 1636, his age is given 
as 43 years. His account in the colony begins May 4, 1637, and closes May 3, 
1649, but from the log of the Rensselaerswyck he is known to have sailed up 
the river as early as March 24, 1637, and from other documents it would 
seem that he left the colony in 1646. Oct. 3, 1636, he was appointed councilor 
and schepen, and May 12, 1639, he received a commission as receiver of tithes 
and supercargo of the colony's vessel. Jan. 31, 1646, Pieter Cornelisz made a 
contract with Antony de Hooges for building a horsepower mill in Green- 
bush, the mill on the fifth creek being most of the time out of order and too 
inconvenient for the inhabitants on account of het keen en wedervaeren (the 
sailing back and forth). 

Roelof Cornelisz, from Houten, [near Utrecht]; brother of Crijn Cor- 
nelisz, from Houten ; is charged with supplies furnished to him in 1638 and 
may have arrived with Crijn Cornelisz in 1637. He was at various times em- 
ployed in splitting wood and in thatching roofs of houses and in 1646 is 
charged with hire of horses and cows and rent of land. 

Goossen Gerritsz, from Westerbroeck [Westbroek, province of 
Utrecht?]; was engaged for six years, three years at f5o a year and three 
years at f8o a year. His wages in the colony began April 8, 1637; he prob- 
ably came by the Rensselaerswyck. In 1646, he is charged with fi9:g received 
in Holland on Nov. 3, 1645. In Oct. 1648, on the repeated solicitation by the 
director to accept the place of cjerechts pcrsoon (member of the court), he 
pleaded to be excused on the ground that he did not consider himself fit 
for the office, that he was not possessed of a house and lot and therefore not 
bound to serve, and that he had not yet settled all his accounts with the 
patroon. His objections however were overruled and he was urged once 
more to accept the office, the court, in case of refusal, threatening to proceed 
(ii other measures. He finally yielded, on condition that he be first allowed to 
make a trip to the Manhatans. This was granted and Nov. 19, 1648, he took 
the oath as member of the court. At his urgent request he was released from 
his office on Jan. 5, 1651. In the accounts he is charged from 1648 to 1652 with 
f.32 a year for ground rent of a house and license to trade and, jointly with 
Rutger Jacobsz. from May 1649 to May 1650 with f45o for the lease of 
the brewery. July 18, 1650, he was granted permission to become a tap- 
ster and Sept. 9, 1650, he was with Arent van Curler appointed trustee 



$12 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of a fund for the building of a school. From May i, 1655, to May 1, 1658, 
he and Thomas Jansz are charged with an annual rent of f.j.0, for a small 
piece of land situated opposite den sack. July 19, L1659?] he entered into an 
agreement with Jeremias van Rensselaer regarding the purchase of hides of 
cattle to be killed in the colony, showing that by that time he was engaged in 
the tanning business. After 1660, he is occasionally referred to as Goosscn 
Gerritss -ran Schaick. 

Robert Harmensz; his account in the colony runs from April 17, 1637, 
to 1638. He is credited with wages earned in repairing a fence, splitting 
wood, thatching and grinding, and would seem to have been in the employ of 
Gerrit de Reux. tie came probably by the Rensselaerswyck. 

Adriaen Kuybertsz; is credited with six years' wages at fioo a year, 
from April 8, 1637; like others whose term of service began at that date, he 
came probably by the Rensselaerswyck. For four and one half years he was 
employed by Cornells Teunisz, from Breuckelen. In 1652, he is charged with 
five years' rent, at f300 a year, for a farm on the fifth creek, which he seem-. 
to have taken over from Rutger Jacobsz, and for the same length of time 
With fjo a year for trading privileges. 

Rutger (Ruth) Jacobsz, from Schoonderwoert [Schoonrewoerd, prov- 
ince of South Holland] ; served as farm hand on the farm of Cornchs 
Teunisz, from Breuckelen, for the term of six years, beginning April 8, 1637, 
at fioo a year, and probably came on the Rensselaerswyck. Feb. 9, 1643, he 
was engaged as foreman on de groote Vlacte (the great Flats) at f_'2o a year, 
a suit of clothes, two shirts and two pairs of shoes, his term of service to be- 
gin April 7, 1643. From Jan. 1, 1645, he appears as lessee of a farm on the 
fifth creek, which in 1647 seems to have been taken over by Adriaen Huy- 
bertsz. From 1648 to 1654 he is charged witli an annual rent of fi.25 for a 
sawmill on the fifth creek, taken over from Andries de Vos, and for the same 
period he is charged, jointly with. Barent Pietersz, with an annual rent of 
f550 for a saw- and grist-mill, also on the fifth creek. He owned a yacht 
from about 1648, and April 4, 1649, agreed to pay {32 a year, for three 
years, for rent of his house lot and the right to the fur trade. Oct. 18, 1050, 
he and Goossen Gerritsz were authorized to brew beer, on condition of pay- 
ing a duty of one guilder for every barrel of beer and of brewing, free 
of charge, the beer needed for the households of van Slichtenhorst and de 
Hooges. Rutger Jacobsz is credited with £36 for nine months' salary as 
raets vriendt (councilor) and again with salary as councilor, at the rate of 
f.So a year, from Dec. 18, [649, to Oct. [8, 1651, when at his urgent request 
he was released from his duties and succeeded by Jan Baptist van Rens- 
selaer. Rutger Jacobsz married June 3, [646, at New Amsterdam, Trijntje 
Jans, from Breestede [Bredstedt, in Schleswigj, and died before Dec. o, 1(1(15. 

Claes Jansz, from Nykerck, [province of Gelderland]; is credited with 
four years' wages, at f i jo a year, beginning April _', 1037, ami with carpenter 
work done between [642 and 104^ mi houses of van Curler, van der Donck, 
Megapolensis and others. Aug. 30, ]6|6, Antony de Hooges ordered NlCO- 
laes Coorn, officer of the colony, to seize grain on the farm of Broer Cor 
nclis and to turn the same over to Claes Jansz, from Nykerck, in payment of 
wages earned by him on de Vlackte while Broer Cornells was at the 
Manhatans, as per account of Ruth Jacobsz. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 813 

Dirck Jansz, from Edam, [in the province of North Holland]. He 
and Reynier Thijmensz, from Edam, entered into a contract with Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer on Aug. 26, 1636, to sail by the ship Rensselaersvvyck and to 
settle in the colony as free colonists, for a period of four years. He is 
charged in the accounts with supplies from May 9. 1637, to 1642. Under date 
of May 29, 1643, he is referred to as deceased. He was a member of the 
council of the colony in 1637. 

Jacob Jansz, from Amsterdam; was a carpenter by trade and was 
engaged for the term of four years, beginning April 2, 1637, at wages of f40 
a year. He appears for part of this period to have been employed by Albert 
Andriesz; in the harvest of 1640, he served under Cornells Teunisz, from 
Breuckelen. May 1, 1640, he received f32 extra pa}' for " faithful service to 
the patroon." In 1641 lie was employed by van Curler to do some copying 
and from that date till Aug. 20, 1643, when his account, was closed by van 
Curler, he was engaged with other carpenters in building houses and barns. 

Thomas Jansz, from Bunnick, [near Utrecht]; was engaged as farm 
hand for the term of six years, beginning April 8, 1637, at fno a year, and 
served under Brant Peelen and Symon Walichsz. He probably came by the 
Rensselaerswyck. From May 1, 1646, to 1650 he occupied a farm, for which 
he is charged with an annual rent first of HSo and then of fi3b; April II, 
1650, van Slichtenhorst leased to him an additional piece of land formerly 
occupied by Hendrick Albertsz, and from that time till 1652 he is charged 
with rent of fi8o a year. From May 1, 1655, to May 1, 1658, he and Goossen 
Gerritsz are charged with rent and tithes for a small parcel of land on the 
east side of the river opposite den sack. 

In 1656. the accounts contain the name of Thomas jaiiscn Timmcrman. 
This man is probably to be identified with Thomas Jansz Mingael, the car- 
penter, who appears to have been a resident of Beverwyck, and not a settler 
1 if Rensselaerswyck. 

Jean Labatie (Lebatie, Lebattij, Labatyn, Labatis), also referred to as 
Johan Labatie fransman (Frenchman) ; was engaged as a journeyman car- 
penter for the term of four years, beginning April 2, 1637, at f8o a year, and 
lor part of the time was employed by Albert Andriesz. At the end of the 
four years, he engaged himself to the patroon for three years more, at 1200 
a year. Thereafter, van Curler intended to put him on the farm at the Great 
Mats to trade, hut lie probably left the patroon'? service. In 1648, he is 
charged in the accounts with the patroon's Gerechticheyt (dues) for four 
years, beginning May t, 1643, compounded at the rate of f2.s a year, which 
may indicate that he was engaged in the Indian trade, as in 1650 he is spoken 
of as being well versed in the Maquaes language. June 15, 1647, he received 
permission from the West India company to erect a house in Fort Orange and 
to brew therein; in 1649, he is referred to by van Slichtenhorst as being in 
command of the fort, which may have reference to a temporary absence of 
Carel van Brugge, who was appointed commis Nov. 6, 1647, and is supposed 
to have acted in that capacity till 1651. Sept. 23, 1650, Jean Labatie, inhabitant 
of Fort Orange, was summoned to the house of Director van Slichtenhorst 
and asked to accompany van Curler, Cornell's Teunisz, from Breuckelen, 
["nomas Chambers and Volckert Hansz on an embassy to the Maquaes to 
renew the covenant of friendship, but he refused to go, saying that it made 



814 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

little difference to those in the fort whether they were at war or at peace 
with the Indians. Aug. 26, 1652, Labatie and Cornells Teunisz, from 
Breuckelen, jointly leased the farm formerly occupied by Cornelis Teunisz, 
but in the accounts Labatie is not charged with rent for this farm and it is 
likely that he never occupied it. July 20, 1654, Labatie took over the farm 
on Castle Island formerly leased to Jan Barentsz Wemp, for which from 
stubbie time 1654 to May I, 1655, he is charged with fiso and thereafter with 
an annual rent of 1300. Feb. 20, 1672, Labatie settled his accounts with 
Jeremias van Rensselaer. 

Arent Pietersz, generally referred to as Arcnt Pietersz Jongen (the 
boy) ; was engaged for six years, beginning April 3, 1637, three years at 
f45 and three years at f 75 a year, and served at different times under Al- 
bert Andriesz, Cornelis Teunisz and Teunis Dircksz. He is probably the 
same person as Aert Pietersz alias Solder, or Solder Pietersz, who was fur- 
nished with supplies in 1642 and who appears as late as 1651. The nickname 
Solder would seem to indicate that he was in charge of a graan zolder, that 
is, a grain loft, or granary. July 8, 1649, Aert Pietersz was summoned be- 
fore the court to state whether he would fulfil his promise to scecker vrouzv- 
mens, genaemt Blanche acl (a certain woman, called fair Alfda) and in reply 
declared that he would marry her at the first opportunity. 

Jacob Pietersz, from Utrecht; in one account referred to as Jacob 
Pietersz van Uijtrccht alias Veeltje, and in another as Jacob Pietersz Vceltje; 
was engaged for six years, from April 8, 1637, at fioo a year, and served 
under Brant Peelcn. He left the colony on, or before, Nov. 16, 1644. 

* Hans van Sevenhuysen; sailed by the Rensselaerswyck as smith's 
helper to Cornelis Thomasz, but was arrested in England for killing his 
master in a tavern at Ufracombc, Dec. 8, 1636. 

Arent Steffeniersz (Steevenniersz, Steveniersen), hog dealer; entered 
into a contract with Kiliaen van Rensselaer before Oct. 4, 1636, and sailed by 
the Rensselaerswyck. March 22, 1637, he married at the Manhatans the 
widow of the murdered smith, Cornelis Thomasz. Arent Steffeniersz is 
charged with supplies in the colony from April 17, 1637, to 1644. In 1639, 
he accompanied Pieter Cornclisz, from Munnickendam, to the Manhatans to 
get lime and iron. 

Cornelis Teunisz, from Westbrocck (Westerbroeck, Wesbroeck, Wijs- 
broeck) ; also referred to as Cornells Thcurtisz bos, Cornelis Thcitnisz van- 
den bes, Cornelis Theunissen schoester, and ICccs schocster; signs his name 
Cornjlis thonisen bos. He came probably from the village of Wcstbroek, in 
(In- province of Utrecht, and would seem from the designation schoester, to 
have been a shoemaker by trade. He sailed with Cornelis Macsen by the 
Rensselaerswyck, in 1636, and served him in the colony for six years, begin- 
ning April 8. T637, at wages of froo a year. As early as April 8. 1648, lie and 
Tetmis Dircksz van Vcclitcn are mentioned as guardians of the minor chil- 
dren of the late Cornelis Macsen. March 25, 1649, Cornelis Teunisz, from 
Westbrocck, Volckert Hansz and Cornelis Vos were warned not to engage 
in illicit trade with the Indians; April 3, 1649, their license was revoked for 
not observing the ordinance. July 13, 1650, Cornelis Teunisz was ordered to 
send Jan Hagemans, a free trader, away from his house; April t, 1650, he 
was granted the use oT a garden between the first and second creeks. He was 
a magistrate of Fort Orange, prior to Aug. 19, 1662. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 815 

Reynier Thijmensz (Tijmense, Timansz, Tymansen), from Edam, 
[province of North Holland]. He and Dirck Jansz, from Edam, entered into 
a contract with Kiiiaen van Rensselaer, Aug. 26, 1636, to sail by the Rens- 
selaerswyck and to settle in the colony as free colonists for the period of four 
years. His account in the colony begins May 7, 1637, and closes Sept. 12, 
1643. In an extract from his contract his name is given as reijnier thomassen. 

* Cornells Thomasz, from Rotterdam; engaged as smith, Oct. 4, 1636, 
and sailed with his wife by the Rensselaerswyck. Dec. 8, 1636, he was stabbed 
to death by his helper, Hans van Sevenhuysen, in a tavern at Ilfracombe. 
His widow was married to Arent StefFeniersz, March 22, 1637, at New 
Amsterdam. Burger Jorisz took his place as smith of the colony. 

Teunis Cornelisz van Vechten; his first account in the colony, entered 
under the name of thcuuis Cornelissen van der vechten Jongen, runs from 
April 8 to Nov. 14, 1637. He appears next in 1641 as having been three 
years in the service of Michiel Jansz. It is not unlikely therefore that he 
arrived as a boy, on the Rensselaerswyck, early in 1637, went back to 
Holland in the winter of that year, and returned to the colony in 1638, with 
Michiel Jansz and Teunis Dircksz van Vechten, both of whom came by 
het Wapen van Noorwegen. He probably came from Vechten, a small vil- 
lage southeast of Utrecht. In the Schidt Bocck vande gocderen vant'schip 
den Watcrlwndt, 1640-41, his name is indexed as Tennis Cornelissen van 
Wcstbroeck, but this is probably a clerical error, due to confusion with 
Cornclis Teuniss van Wcstbroeck.. Between 1647 and 1656, he is referred to 
as Thunis Cornelissen alias jongc Poetien, tocnis Cornelisz poyntgen and 
funis Corncliscn Jongc poentic. Tennis Cornelisz served under Michiel 
Jansz till May 1, 1646, and then succeeded him on the farm called de Hooge- 
berch, which he occupied till May 1, 1648. Oct. 15, 1648, Director van 
Slichtenhorst leased to him for six years the south end of het grcenenbos 
(pine woods) with six morgens of old land forming part of the farm of 
Teunis Dircksz van Vechten, but, owing apparently to animosity on the part 
of Teunis Dircksz, he was allowed to leave the farm Jan. 27, 1650, and 
was promised a house in some other part of the colony. Jan. 29, 1650, he 
complained that the house which he occupied was uninhabitable on ac- 
count of smoke and Mar. 17, 1650. Director van Slichtenhorst sold to him 
for H25 a small house south of the fifth creek, formerly occupied by Barent 
Pictersz and Jan Oerritsz, deceased. 

Symon Walichsz (Walichs, Walichsen, Walinchsz, Walings, Walingen, 
Waelingen), from Wijngaerden, [in the district of het Bildt, jn the 
province of Friesland] ; entered into a contract with the patroon Aug. 15, 
1636, and sailed by the Rensselaerswyck. His account in the colony be- 
gins April 17, 1637. He occupied a farm on Papscanee Island till May 1, 
1647. when it was leased to Evert Pels, for six years, at fs6o a year. Jan. 
14, 1649, Evert Pels had the lease transferred to Juriaen Bestval and Jochem 
Kcttclheym. Symon Walichsz agreed to buy Pieter van der Linden's planta*- 
lion on Manhattan Island, Oct. 7, 1648. and was killed by the Indians near 
Paulus Hook, at Pavonia, in March T649 (see N.Y.Col.Mss, 4:428, where 
his name is given as Sijmon Walingen vant bilt). 



Burger Jorisz; was at New Amsterdam in T637 and was secured as 
smith of Rensselaerswyck to take the place of Cornclis Thomasz. who had 
been killed by his helper Hans van Sevenhuysen, on the voyage out, at 



8l6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Ilfracombe, Dec. 8, 1636. The terms upon which Burger Jorisz was en- 
gaged are as follows: "Inasmuch as Cornells Tomassen died and Arent 
Steveniersen, who married the widow, does not understand smith's work, the 
council of the colony have decided to turn the iron and coal and all the 
tools over to Burger Jorisen Smit at 50% advance in price, and to let him do 
the work at the rates paid by freemen at the Manhatans, to wit: pound work 
at six stivers, nails at 10 stivers a hundred, braces at 12 stivers, double 
braces at 28 stivers and other work proportionately, and this till the pa- 
troon makes different arrangements. In the year 1637, the 26th of May, and 
was signed, Jacob Albertsen Planck, Picter Cornelissen, X the mark of 
Dirck Jansen." Burger Jorisz' account in the colon}- runs from June 4, 
1637, to Aug. 18, 1630. when he turned over his tools to Reyer Stoffelsz and 
moved to the Manahatans. Dec. 18, 1639, he married at New Amsterdam, 
Engeltje Mans, from Sweden. In the marriage records of the Reformed 
Dutch church of New York, Burger Jorisz is given as from Hersberg, in 
Silcsicn (Hirschberg, in Silesia). 

1638 

By den Harinck 

Sailed from the Texel shortly after September 21, 1637; arrived at 

New Amsterdam, March 28, 1638 

Frans Altersz (Aldersz, Albertsz), cooper; sailed by den Harinck, 
Sept. 1637, in the stead of Jan Willemsz Schut. His board on the ship is 
charged to Symon Walichsz. He is credited with wages for 39 months and 
15 days, at H4 a month, beginning April 27, 1638, and is charged with 
supplies till 1642. Nov. 20, 1644, a bhl of Frans Altersz, for cooper's work, 
signed by Symon Walichsz, is sent to Arent van Curler, then on his way to 
Holland. 

Jacob Jansz (Gardenier), from Campen [Kampen, in the province of 
Overyssell, carpenter; generally referred to as Jacob Jansz flodder; appears 
first in the accounts of the colony as knecht (helper or servant) of Claes 
Jansz Ruyter and not unlikely sailed with him on den Harinck, in Sept. 
1637. Tn the spring of 1642 lie was at Amsterdam and applied to (he pa- 
troon for permission to do carpenter work in the colony; the same year he 
is in the accounts charged with supplies. In 1647 he had a saw- and grist- 
mill in Greenbush which on Nov. 18, 1649, was leased to Evert Pels and 
Willcm Frcdericksz. From 1653 to 1654 he appears as lessee of a mill at 
Bethlehem and Feb. 2, 1654, he obtained the lease of the saw- and grist- 
mill on the fifth creek, for the term of eight years, beginning May t8, 1654. 
In the first two volumes of deeds in the Albany county clerk's office, he is 
referred to as Jacob Jansz Gardenier, alias Plodder. 

Claes Jansz, from Naerden, [province of North Holland]; also referred 
to as Claes Jansz Ruyter, and as Claes de Ruifter; was a house carpenter by 
trade and 33 years of age in [636. Aug. 26, 1636, he entered, jointly with 
Pieter Cornelisz and Albert Andriesz, into an agreement with the patroon 
for the erection of a sawmill in the colony, but for some reason failed to ac- 
company his partners on the Rensselaerswyck in 1636, and sailed by den 
Harinck in Sept. 1637. Tn May 1640, he and his wife Pietertje Jans were 
apparently living at the Manhatans. lb- is credited in the accounts with 60 
weeks' board of Arent van Curler. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 8l/ 

By den Calmer Sleutel 
Sailed from the Tcxcl at the end of December 1637 

Gijsbert Adriaensz (Arentsz, Aertsz), from Bunnick, [near Utrecht] ; 
sailed on den Calmer Sleutel, at the age of 22, and was engaged as farm ser- 
vant for six years, at wages ranging from f8o to fuo a year. He served 
for four years, beginning April 2, 1638, on the farm of Brant Peelen; for 
34 year on the farm of Teunis Dircksz; and for \ l /i years, jointly with San- 
der Leendersz, in running the colony's yacht Rensselaerswyck. He was a 
brother of Rutger Adriaensz, the tailor, who appears first in 1646. 

Arent van Curler (Corler), from Nykerck, [in the province of Gelder- 
land] ; sailed as assistant to Jacob Albertsz Planck by den Calmer Sleutel, 
at the age of 18 years. May 12, 1639, he was commissioned secretary and 
bookkeeper of the colony, and from 1642 to 1644 he held the office of 
commis. He sailed for Holland by het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck, Oct. 20, 
1644, having married, probably in 1643, Anthonia Slachboom, or Slaghboom, 
whom O'Callaghan, apparently on the strength of van Curler's statement, 
History of New Ncthcrland, 1 ^64, has identified with Teuntje Jeuriaens, 
the widow of Jonas Bronck. Sept. 30, 1647, while van Curler was still 
in Holland, he obtained a lease for six years of the farm called de Vlackte, 
but May 5, 1649, this lease was transferred to Jacob Jansz, from Stoutcn- 
burch. Van Curler returned to New Netherland probably at the end of 1647 
and on the arrival of Director van Slichtenhorst, early in 1648, was nomi- 
nated as Gccommittccrdc, but various circumstances prevented his accepting 
the office and taking the oath till Jan. S, 1651. In the accounts he is credited 
with an annual salary of f20o, as Gccommittccrdc & raetsvrint, from July 
1, 1652 to July I, 1655, and with an annual salary of f200, as gccommittccrdc, 
from 1655 to 1658. Sept. 9, 1650, on the petition of the inhabitants of the 
colony. Arent van Curler and Goossen Gerritsz were appointed trustees of 
voluntary contributions for the erection of a school, and Sept. 23, 1650, van 
Curler was chosen to go with others on an embassy to the Maquaes. He be- 
came one of the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-62, and was 
drowned on Lake Champlain in 1667. 

Elbert Elbertsz (Albertsz), from Nykerck, [in the province of Gelder- 
land] ; was a weaver by trade and sailed by den Calmer Sleutel, at the age 
of 18 years. Tn 1646 he married Aeltje Cornelis, the widow of Gerrit Wol- 
phcrtsz (N.Y.Col.Mss, 2:152). 

Gerrit Hendricksz, from Nykerck, [province of Gelderland], shoe- 
maker.; sailed with Arent van Curler by den Calmer Sleutel, at the age of 15 
years. Tie was engaged for six years, at wages ranging from f^o to fioo a 
year: his first three years' wages, from April 2, 1638. to April 2, 1641, arc 
charged tn Albert Andriesz. He does not appear in the records of the 
colony after 1642. 

Claes Jansz, from Nykerck, [province of Gelderland] : was a tailor by 
trade and sailed with Arent van Curler by den Calmer Sleutel, at the age 
of 17 years. 



8l8 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

By het Wapen van Noorwegen 

Sailed from the Texel in May 1638; arrived at New Amsterdam 
about August 4, 1638 

Adriaen Cornelisz, from Barsingerhorn, [province of North Holland]; 
also referred to as Adriaen Cornelisz Berghoorn and Adriaen Cornelisz van 
Barsinc/erzvout ; was engaged May 10, 1638, for three years, as foreman under 
Maurits Jansz, and sailed on het Wapen van Noorwegen. His wages in the 
colon}', at fi40 a year, began Aug. 14, 1638. He does not appear after 1643. 

Jan Dircksz, from Amersfoort, [in the province of Utrecht]; is entered 
in the accounts as Jan dircksen Engclsman van Amersfoort, showing that he 
was a native of England ; was engaged as farm laborer, for six years, at 
wages ranging from f30 to fso a year. His service in the colony began Aug. 
16, 1638, and he appears at first as servant of Michiel Jansz, so that he 
probably arrived with the latter on het Wapen van Noorwegen. In 1644, he 
was employed by Reyer Stoffelsz. Nov. 19, 1648, Claes Gerritsz testified that 
Ruth Jacobsz ordered him to beat Jan Dircksz Engelsman, if he proved re- 
fractory. 

Claes Gijsbertsz; was, apparently in 164T, in the service of Michiel 
Jansz and may have come out with him by het Wapen van Noorwegen, in 1638. 

Symon Jansz Henypot, son in law of Pieter Cornelisz, from Munnick- 
endam ; sailed by het Wapen van Noorwegen and was apparently in the colony 
for a short time in 1639. 

Michiel Jansz, from Schrabbekercke ['s Heer Abtskerke in the province 
of Zealand] ; came with his wife and two servants by het Wapen van Noor- 
wegen in 1638. He was originally engaged as farm hand, but before his de- 
parture from Holland was promoted to farmer; he served as foreman in 
163S and 1639, and from 1640 to 1646 was farmer on the farm called de 
Hoogeberch. July 27, 1646, he received permission to leave the colony and to 
reside at the Manhatans. on condition that his accounts be settled. Oct. 8. 
T648, the court ordered him to prepare a full statement of his accounts by 
Saturdav next, or sooner, " if his voyage should thereby be delayed." Oct. 
10, a similar order was issued and a few days later Director van Slichtcn- 
horst asked that the court impose on Michiel Jansz the penalty of death or 
such other sentence as it shall see fit for the sale of ammunition to Indians 
during the war, together with a fine of f5o for beavers sent to Fort de Hoop, 
T644, without paying duty. May 20, 1640, the court once more ordered Michiel 
Jansz to render a detailed account and July 27, 1650, he was asked to sign the 
account rendered by him. 

Willem Meynten (Meijntten, Mijnten, Menten) ; served as a farm 
laborer under Cornelis Maescn for the period of six years, beginning Aug. 
T4, T638, at wages ranging from f40 to ffio a year. Thereafter, he carted 
stone for the foundation of the house of Domine Mecrapolcnsis, graded the 
latter's garden and did other day labor. In Sept. T648, he seems to have 
been in the employ of Tennis Dircksz van Vechten. 

Jan Michielsz, from F.dam, [province of North Holland]: was a tailor 
by trade and arrived by het Wapen van Noorweqren, accompanied by his 
young son, for whom the patroon paid one year's board to the Orphan 
Masters at F.dam. April 30, t(>j8, (he court of (he colonv crranted (he 
petition of Jan Verbeeck and Tan Michielsz to exercise their trade as 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 819 

tailors, with one helper, to the exclusion of all others. In 1G51, Jan Michielsz 
built a small house in the village and agreed to pay eight beavers a year 
for ground rent and the right to exercise his trade. 

Rijck (Rijckert) Rutgersz; was engaged for six years, beginning Aug. 
16, 1638, at wages of fi2o a year. From 1640 to 1644, he served under 
Teunis Dircksz van Vechten, with whom he would seem to have come on 
het Wapen van Noorwegen. He leased Bethlehem's Island, Nov. 29, 1648, 
for the term of six years, but left the island, March 17, 1650, perhaps as 
the result of a quarrel with Christoffel Davids, who struck him on the 
head with a club on March 3, 1650. Jan Reyersz, from Houten, succeeded 
him on the farm. 

Abraham Stevensz, in the earliest accounts referred to as Abraham 
Stevensz Jongcn (the boy), later as Abraham Stevensz Croact (the Croa- 
tian), and in 1650 as Abraham Stevensz d Capeteijn (the captain) ; he is 
credited with six years' wages from Aug. 14, 1638, two years at f3o a year, 
two years at f40 a year, and two years at fso a year ; for 4 J /> years he 
served under Teunis Dircksz van Vechten. In 1646, he is referred to as 
maet (partner) of Claes Teunisz, alias Uylenspiegel. Abraham Stevensz 
leased the Valcije or maizeland, behind the farm of Broer Cornelis, Feb. 
3, 1650, at an annual rent of one and a half beavers, taking upon himself 
all expenses ; at Easter 1654, he turned the lease over to Barent Pietersz. 

Teunis Dircksz van Vechten, presumably from Vechten, a small vil- 
lage near Utrecht ; arrived with his wife, one child and two servants by 
het Wapen van Noorwegen, in 1638, but appears as early as July 20, 1632, 
as farmer on Pieter Bijlvelt's farm at the Manhataris. He is occasionally 
referred to as Teunis Dircksen Pociitic. He worked in 1638 rind 1639 as 
a farm laborer, but from 1640 to 1663, and perhaps later, occupied a farm 
at the south end of Greenbush, adjoining the farm at one time occupied 
by Teunis Cornelisz van Vechten and later by Cornelis Hendricksz van 
Nes. He had in 1648 and 1649 a half interest in the colony's brewery, in 
Greenbush, which was offered for sale on March 7, 1650. In Feb. 1651, he 
was prosecuted for calling Director van Slichtenhorst, in the presence of 
many people, cat ouwde graeuwe dicf en schclm (an old gray thief and a 
rascal) ; for calling Domine Megapolensis an informer and threatening to 
stab him with a knife; for selling his wheat at fii a mudde, contrary to 
the orders of the patroon; for ordering Willem Mcnten four times during 
the night of Sept. 18, 1648, to fire off a musket in the brewery, thereby 
causing Monsr. Labatie and some soldiers of the fort to cross the river; 
for calling Teunis Cornelisz a thief and a rascal and striking him on the 
head for having leased the six morgens of his, Teunis Dircksz', farm which 
the authorities of the colony had reserved; for fighting with Pieter Hart- 
gers and Abraham Staas ; and for letting two horses stand in front of 
Jan Verbeeck's house, in severely cold weather, without cover or food. 



Christoffel Davids, also referred to as Kit davitss; according to his own 
statement, he was born in England and on Sept. 3, 1658, was 42 years of 
age (Mortgages, A, p. 03. Albany county clerk's office). He appears first 
in the colony in 1038 and between 1642 and 1647 is various times credited 
with tobacco furnished to Arent van Curler and Antony de Hooges. Till 
stubble time T640. he was with Crijn Cornelisz in possession of six mor- 
gens of land in Greenbush, and July 22, 1650, he leased the Dominees 



820 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Hoeck, on the west side of the river, opposite Papscanee Island, for six 
years, at an annual rent of f50, in addition to tithes, Christoffel Davids to 
build his own house and fences and the patroon to furnish the live stock. 
March 3, 1650, an action was brought against him for striking Rijck Rut- 
gcrsz on the head, for beating his servant and for wounding Jan Dircksz, 
from Bremen. 

1639 

By dc Licfdc 
Sailed from the Texel September 25, 1638; arrived at New Amster- 
dam, December 27, 1638 

Willem Juriaensz, commonly referred to as Willcm Jcuriaensz Backer 
(the baker), once, in 1646, as Willcm Jcuriacnsz, alias Capitaijn, and again, 
in 1650, as Capiteijn (captain). He made a contract with Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer, May 7, 1638, and sailed by " the ship of the West India Com- 
pany,'' presumably de Liefde. He is credited from about 1641 to Oct. 8, 
1647, with wages earned by baking on the farms of Symon Walichsz and 
Gerrit de Reux and on the farm called de Vlackte; also, in 1643, with 
boards furnished to various farmers, apparently from the sawmill of Cars- 
ten Carstensz, in which he may have had an interest. At first he probably 
worked with Harry Albcrtsz, baker, who sailed for Holland about April 
1641. Willem Juriaensz was sentenced to banishment from the colony for 
various misdeeds on Feb. 4. 1644, and again on Aug. 29, 1647, for attacking 
de Hooges with a knife, but in each case respite was granted on condi- 
tion that he refrain from molesting people. In 1650 new charges were 
brought against him and July 18, T650, he was once more sentenced to 
banishment from the colony, the court resolving July 27, 1650, that he be 
brought in irons on board the yacht of Rutger Jaeobsz and taken to the 
Manhatans. Aug. 4, 1650, he was released to settle his affairs, on promise 
that he would comply with the last sentence, but whether on account of his 
old age (in 1650 he is described as fully 70 years of age), or for other rea- 
sons, nothing more seems to have been done in the matter. Nov. 30, 1651, 
Willcm Juriaensz declared that he refused to fulfil his contract with Jan 
van Hoesen, dated Jan. 30, T650, and Jan. t8, t6.c;2, the court gave Jan van 
Hoesen permission to occupy the erf (lot, or bakery) of Willem Juriaensz, 
on condition that the latter be allowed to dwell in his house as long as he 
lived nftc dc gclcqcnbriit prrsevtceri (or an opportunity for removing to 
another place presented itself). Cf. O'Callaghan, History of New Ncthcr- 
land, 1 ^37-38. 



Jacob Aertsz (Arentsz), from Utrecht; referred to as Jacob Aertss 
Wagenaer, and also as Jacob Adriaenss Wagenaer (the wagoner) : sailed 
on den Calmer Sleutcl, Dec. 7637, at the age of 25. as farm servant for A1 
bert Andriesz. He served for t t 4 years at the Manhatans and June 26, 
T630. began his service in the colonv. for the term of six years, at wasres 
ranging from foo to fi2o a year. TT<^ is charged in the accounts with sun- 
plies furnished by Albert Andriesz. but is entered as servant of Cornells 
Maesen, April 2, 1648. the court ordered him to serve F.vert Pels for one 
year, so as to complete his term. Feb. 23, 1649, he appeared before the 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWlER MANUSCRIPTS 82 1 

court on the charge of having the preceding day, with Jacob Adriaensz 
Raedemaecker (wheelwright) and Harmen Bastiaenszj prevented Director 
van Slichtenhorst from arresting Jacob Toenijs, servant of Jan Verbeeck, 
in the Greenen Bus. 

By den Harinck 
Sailed from the 7Y.iv/ in May 1639; arrived at New Amsterdam, 

July 7, 1639 

Jan Cornelisz, tobacco planter and carpenter, probably from Leyden; 
sailed by den Harinck in 1639; he is usually referred to as Jan Cornelisz 
Timmerman and appears to have been a master carpenter who had other 
carpenters in the colony in his employ. July 18, 1641, the patroon designates 
him as the person who may build the proposed church. His account runs 
from 1G39 10-1647. In 1646 he offered to repair the mill dam on the fifth 
creek for f550, but his bid was thought. too high and rejected. 

Sander Leendertsz Glen; sailed with his wife, Catalijn Donckesz, by 
den Harinck, in 1639. March 11, 1649, they acknowledged their signatures 
to contracts of March 28, 1639, and Feb. 23, 1645, and stated that they sailed 
the two yachts of the patroon from 1641, for three years, "but not when 
they tapped liquor." The nature of the two contracts is not disclosed. 
Sander Leendertsz is credited with wine and beer furnished between 1644 
and 1646, and charged with 132 a year from 1647 to 1652, for ground rent 
and the right to trade with the Indians. Aug. 2, 1649, Director van Slich- 
tenhorst notified Sander Leendertsz and other skippers not to transport 
colonists to the Manhatans without his consent. 

Andries Hendricksz; arrived by den Harinck and served for four years, 
beginning Aug. 14, 1639, under Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuckelen. 

Marten Hendricksz, from Hamelwaerde [Hamelworden, near Freiburg 
on the Elbe, Hanover] ; came on den Harinck and was engaged for six years 
as farm hand at fioo a year, beginning Aug. 14, 1639. He was for three 
years and 8,!/> months employed by Michiel Jansz, and for two years and 
3V2 months by Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuckelen. From Nov. 1, 1645, 
1u March 1, 1646,' he was in the service of Antony de Hooges. He is 
credited with 26 weeks' board of Hans Vos, the court messenger, and in 
165 1 appears to have had an interest in the brewery, with Evert Pels. 
In 1057, be is referred to as Marten de bier Croaker and Marten de 
bierkracker. He is perhaps the same person as Marten Hendricksz Ver- 
beeck, who mi Feb. T, r6S2, obtained a lot next to Jacob Simonsz Klomp, 
the reni to commence Easter [653. 

Barent Pietersz Koijemans [Coeymans]; came by den Harinck and 
was engaged for six years, beginning Aug. 14, 1639, at £30 a year for the 
first two years, (40 for the next two years and f5o for the last two years. 
lie worked for four years under Pieter Cornelisz, the millwright, an 1 
is in the accounts referred to as the hitter's jonghen (boy). Early in 
Oct. 1(145, Barenl Pietersz" and Jan Gerritsz entered into an agreement 
with de Hooges fur sawing beards at the patroon's mill on the fifth creek; 
Oct. II, 1646, the .agreement was canceled and a new one entered into 
whereby the two men jointly took charge of the sawmill, and Jan Gerritsz 
alone of "both the mills" [sawmill and grist-mill?], the contract to last 
till the end of Jan Gerritsz' term of service. May 18, 1648, [perhaps the 



822 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

date of Jan Gerritsz' death], Barent Pietersz and Rutger Jacobsz leased 
the sawmill and grist-mill on the fifth creek, at an annual rent of f550. 
From Dec. 14, 164S, to Dec. 14, 1654, the same men are charged with fi2S 
a year for water rights of a sawmill on the fifth creek, which Rutger 
Jacobsz took over from Andries de Vos. Dec. 14, 1654, the same water 
rights were leased to Barent Pietersz and Teunis Cornelisz Spitsenberch 
for fi50 a year, and Aug. 3, 1656, the two men obtained permission to 
erect a third mill on the fifth creek for which they are charged fioo a year, 
from Aug. 1, 1657. After 1645, Barent Pietersz is sometimes referred to 
as Barent de Molenaer (the miller). Jan. 19, 1651, he is called szvaeger 
(brother in law) of Andries de Vos. A brother by the name of. Lucas 
Pietersz is mentioned in the court proceedings in 1650. 



Harry (Hendrick) Albertsz, from London, baker; his first accounts in 
the colony run from 1639 to April 2, 1641. He then left for Holland and 
in June 1642, at the age of 29 years, returned to the colony, on den 
Houttnyn, accompanied by his wife Geertruyt Dries, from Doesburch, 
Tin the province of GelderlandL June 7, 1642, he signed a contract with 
the patroon for the place of ferrymaster. He died before April 11, 1650, 
when the land formerly occupied by him was leased to Thomas Jansz. He 
was succeeded as ferrymaster by Jacob Jansz Stol. 

Reyer Stoffelsz, smith; was at New Amsterdam in 1638 and succeeded 
Burger Jorisz as smith of Rensselaerswyck on Aug. 18, 1639. He does 
not appear in the colony after 1647. 

1640 

By den Watcrhondt 
Sailed from the Tcxel in June or July 1640 

Gijsje Berents [Barents], wife of Pieter Jacobsz; is charged with board 
on den Watcrhondt in 1640, and credited with 28 days' work done by her 
husband on the house of Arent van Curler. It is not unlikely that her 
husband was the same person as Pieter Jacobsz, constapel of Fort Orange, 
who on April 15, 1652, by order of Johannes Dyckman tore van Slich- 
tenhorst's proclamation from the house of Gijsbert Cornelisz, the tavern 
keeper. 

Adriaen Teunisz van der Bilt; was engaged for six years, beginning 

Sept. 24, 1640, three years at foo a year and three years at fioo a year. 

lie probably came by den Waterhondt, as farm laborer for Symon Walichsz. 

It is uncertain whether the words van der Bilt, represent a family name, 

or have reference to the village of de Bilt, near Utrecht, as Adriaen 

Teunisz' place of origin. If used as a family name, it is probable that 

Adriaen Teunisz van der Bilt was the same person as Arijen Teunisz van 

Luijten [from Luyten-Ambacht, in North Brabant], who is charged with 

supplies in 1642. 

Lysbeth Brants, ) . . , , n . -r. , > T , , ^, 

_,.._. J- daughters of Brant Peelen van Nykerck. ihey came 

Gerntje Brants, ) 

by den Waterhondt. 

Cornells Cornelisz, from Schoendcrwoerdt [Schoonrewoerd, in the 

province of South Holland] ; served as farm laborer for six years, begin- 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 823 

ning Sept. 4, 1640, at wages ranging from f8o to fioo a year. He is prob- 
ably the same person as Cornells Vos, and Cornells Cornelisz alias Vosje, 
who appears in the account books from 1642 to 1657. Jan. 29, 1649, Cornells 
yen* vossgen (Cornells, called vossgen) leases a farm adjoining Rem 
Jansz, the smith, on the north. 

Jan Cornelisz, from Houten, [near Utrecht] ; was engaged as farm 
hand for six years; three years at fioo a year and three years at fno a 
year, his wages beginning Sept. 4, 1640. For the first year and eight months 
he was in the service of Symon Walichsz ; the rest of his term he was 
in the service of Crijn Cornelisz, from Houten. He was probably a brother 
of Crijn Cornelisz and would seem to have come with him on den Water- 
hondt, in company with Cornells Crijnen and Jan Crijnen. 

Cornelis Crijnen (Krijnen, Quirijnen), from Houten, [near Utrecht]; 
is charged with board on den Waterhondt and credited with wages for 
mason's work on cellar of Domine Megapolensis and for spading of gar- 
dens. He was probably a son of Crijn Cornelisz, from Houten, whose 
surety he became July 7, 1646. Oct. 13, 1648, he was forbidden to leave 
the colony without furnishing two sureties for the payment of certain 
amounts owed hy him, and April 29, 1649, he is referred to as having left 
the colony. 

Jan Crijnen (Krijnen), from Houten, [near Utrecht]. Before Sept. 6, 
1642, he was for a year and six months in the service of Symon Walichsz; 
after that date he appears to have been in the service of Crijn Cornelisz, 
from Houten. He was probably the latter's son and may have arrived with 
Cornelis Crijnen by den Waterhondt. 

Claes Gerritsz, from Schoennerwoorde [Schoonrewoerd, in the prov- 
ince of South Holland] ; was engaged as farm laborer May 26, 1640, for 
six years, three years at fioo a year and three years at fno a year. His 
wages in the colony began Sept. 24, 1640. He was at different times em- 
ployed by Brant Peelen, Michiel Jansz, Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuckelen, 
and on the farm called de Vlackte. In 1648, he was prosecuted by Di- 
rector van Slichtenhorst for selling ammunition and bartering skins, contrary 
to his contract. Claes Gerritsz claimed that van Curler gave him permis- 
sion to trade and the case dragged along till Nov. 10, 1651, when it was 
settled by arbitration. 

Nijs Jacobsz; was engaged for six years, as farm hand, at wages 
ranging from f20 to f40 a year. His term of service began Sept. 4, 1640, 
and his board is charged to Crijn Cornelisz, from Houten; he doubtless came 
with the latter on den Waterhondt. 

Teunis Jacobsz, from Schoonderwoert [Schoonrewoerd, in the province 
of South Holland] ; in one instance referred to as Tucnis Rut Jacobsz broeder 
(Tuenis, the brother of Rutger Jacobsz) ; was engaged as farm hand for 
(lie term of six years, beginning Sept. 4, 1640; three years at f9o a year and 
three years at fioo a year. He served apparently first under Symon Walichsz 
and then under Cornelis Teunisz, from Breuckelen. He probably came by 
den Waterhondt. From 1650 to 1652 he is charged with f 16 a year for a 
house lot. He married April 19, 1650, at New Amsterdam, Sara Denijs, 
from England. 

Jan Reyersz, from Houten, [near Utrecht] ; was engaged for six years, 
beginning Sept. 4, 1640, at wages of fi05 a year for the first three years and 



824 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

of fii2 a year for the last three years. He served for 1^4 years under Cor- 
nelis Maesen and for the rest of his term under Crijn Cornelisz, from 
Houten. March 17.. 1650, he took over from Rijck Rutgersz the lease of 
Bethlehem's Island, which was renewed on Feb. 15, 1653, for eight years, at 
a yearly rent of f230 and f45 for tithes. 

Dirck Teunisz, son of Teunis Dircksz van Vechten; came by den 
Waterhondt. 



Gerrit Jansz, from Haerlem; also referred to as Gerrit Jansen Cuyper 
and Gerrit Jans.: Kuijper (the cooper) ; seems to have done cooper's work 
in the colony as early as 1640, and is mentioned in the court proceedings 
under date of July 16, 1648. May 4, 1647, Antony de Hooges gave him a 
promissory note for (28, being the balance of money due to him for 'thaelen 
■rant Geschut (bringing the ordnance). 

Cornells Spierinck; charged with supplies in 1642 and 1643 and credited 
with fi07:i5:8 for copying and other work in the service of Arent van Cur- 
ler, in the course of ~i]/ 2 years, previous to the arrival of Antony de Hooges 
in the spring of 1642. 

164I 

By den Eyckcnboom 
Sailed from Amsterdam, May ij, 1641 ; arrived at New Amsterdam 

in August 1641 

Adriaen van der Donck, from Breda, [in the province of North 
Brabant] ; son of Cornells van der Donck, who appears in New Netherland 
in 1055. Adriaen van der Donck was commissioned officer of justice, or 
schout, of Rensselaerswyck, May 13, 1641, and sailed four days later by den 
Eyckenboom. He occupied a farm on Castle Island till Jan. 17, 1646, when 
the house was destroyed by fire and he and his wife, the daughter of the 
Rev. Francis Doughty, temporarily accepted the hospitality of Antony de 
Hooges. Feb. 23, after a quarrel with de Hooges, he left the latter's house 
and moved to the fort (see de Hooges' account of the quarrel, O'Callaghan. 
History of New Netherland, 1 :46o-70, erroneously attributed to van Curler, 
wlin was at the time in Holland). May 3, 1646, van der Donck was still 
in the colony, but soon after he left and established a sawmill and planta- 
tion on the Saegh kit, in his colony of Colendonck, in the present city of 
Yonkers, for which he had obtained a grant in 1645. Before leaving Rens- 
rswyck, he transferred to Cornells Segersz van Voorhout the remaining 
three years' lease of his farm on Castle Island. He was succeeded as 
officer by Nicolaes Coorn. Early in May 1646, in an account with Abraham 
Clock, de Hooges refers to van der Donck as de Joinker, Which is prob- 
ably the earliest mention of the title and which may have reference to his 
having recently become proprietor of a colony. Adriaen van der Donck 
died in 1655. 

Cornells Hendricksz van Nes (van Es); was in the colony in 1641, and 
probably came with Amines de Vos, on den Eyckenboom. From i(>4_>, lie 
is charged with tithes of a farm at Bethlehem, which he seems to have oc- 
cupied till the fall of 1648, when van Slichtenhorst brought actions against 
him for calling him a liar and a cheat and for throwing oat straw on the 
dump heap out of spite against the director and to the detriment of the next 



\ 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 825 

•, 
lessee. In April 1649, he made preparations to leave the colony, but for some 
reason stayed and Aug. 25, 1650, he leased, for eight years at f225 a year, a 
farm in Greenbush, formerly occupied by Teunis Cornelisz van Vechten, to- 
gether with six morgens of land belonging to the adjoining farm of Teunis 
Dircksz van Vechten. Van Nes served as raets persoon (councilor) of Rens- 
selaerswyck, at an annual salary of fso, from 1652 to 1658, and again in 
1660, 1661 and 1663. He lived with his wife Maijgen Hendricksen, at Vianen, 
province of South Holland, in 1625, and owned land at Scherperswyck, 
near Leksmond, in the neighborhood of Vianen, as late as 1661. 

Andries de Vos; was a carpenter by trade and sailed by den Eycken- 
boom in May 1641. He occupied a farm [at Bethlehem?] from 1642 and in 
Oct. 1648 is referred to as gerechts persoon (member of the court). Jan. 
21, 1649, the court of the colony decided that he must pay f62:io a year for 
the patroon's rights of the mill at Bethlehem. Oct. 18, 1650, he entered into 
an agreement to lease the creek south of Thomas Chambers' farm for six 
years at an annual rent of f75 and to erect thereon a saw- and grist-mill, 
but Feb. 16, 1651, he was released from his obligation on the ground of in- 
convenience. He was a brother in law of Barent Pietersz Koijemans. 



Hans Jansz Eencluys (een kluijs, in Cluijs), by his mark well identified 
with Hans Jansz, from Rotterdam; appears at New Amsterdam in 1639 and 
seems to have been in Rensselaerswyck as early as 1641. He was in July 
1648, preparatory to Stuyvesant's visit, employed with Jan Dircksz, from 
Bremen, to clean the colony's cannon, and in the spring of 1650 acted as 
interpreter for Jacob Jansz Flodder in buying land from the Indians. In 
J651 he operated a sawmill for Evert Pels, being under contract till May 
1652. Nov. 3, 1651, Hans Jansz and Crijn Cornelisz received permission to 
erect a sawmill on a creek on the west side of the river, a little north of 
Beeren Island; Sept. 30, 1656, Hans Jansz and Abraham Pietersz Vosburch 
obtained a lease of the water power on the creek south of the farm of 
Jan Barentsz Wemp. 

1642 

By den Con inch David 
Sailed from Amsterdam, July 23, 1641 ; arrived at New Amsterdam, 
November 29, 1641 
Antony de Hooges; was engaged as underbookkeeper and assistant 
to Arent van Curler, and sailed from the Texel by den Coninck David, 
July 30, 1641. He reached New Amsterdam Nov. 29, 164T, but apparently 
did not arrive in the colony till April 10, 1642, being credited from that date 
till April 10, 1644, with a salary of fi50 a year. From van Curler's departure 
for Holland, in Oct. 1644, till van Slichtenhorst's arrival on March 22, 
1648, he was entrusted with the business management of the colony; from 
the latter date till his death, on or about 'Oct. II, 1655, he held the offices 
of secretary and gecommitteerde. Tn the accounts, he is credited, from May 
II, 1652, to Oct. II, 1655, with a salary of f3O0 a year as secretary, and for 
the same period with a salary of fioo as gecommitteerde, also with £56, for 
salary as voorlecser (reader in the church) during two months and one 
week in 1653. In a petition for salary, .March 27, 1648, he states that he has 
been for more than six years in the service of the patroon and for four 
years has not received any salary; that he has now been entrusted with a new 



826 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

office without any mention of salary; and that he must have a house built 
inasmuch as the storehouse, assigned to him for a dwelling, has been turned 
into a church. He married, in Oct. 1647, a daughter of Albert Andriesz, 
named Eva, who on Aug. 13, 1657, became the wife of Roelof Swartwout. 

Lucas Smit (Smith, Smitt, Smits), from Jehansberg [Johannisburg, 
in the district of Gumbinnen, in East Prussia] ; arrived at New Amsterdam, 
by den Coninck David, Nov. 29, 1641, and at once entered the service of 
Domine Bogardus. Aug. 13, 1642, he came to Rensselaerswyck and from 
that date till May 1, 1644, was employed at the patroon's house at wages of 
fioo a year. From May 1, 1644, to April 13, 1646, he served as a farm 
laborer on de Vlacktc and also as a clerk, at a yearly salary of f200. He left 
the colony in 1646, with a testimonial of good conduct from Antony de 
Hooges. 

Jan Teunisz, from Leyden, carpenter; sailed by den Coninck David 
at the end of July 1641, but does not appear in the colony till 1642. He 
left probably about 1646. 

Jan Verbeeck, from Breda, [province of North Brabant], tailor; was 
to sail by den Coninck David with his wife, child and maid servant, but 
in the accounts of the colony is charged with passage of himself, wife and 
child only. His account begins in 1642; he probably spent the winter at 
the Manhatans. Oct. 22, 1648, he was indebted to the amount of f737:c>:8, 
which he promised to pay promptly in five instalments on condition that the 
first year, 1649-50, he should be free from ground rent for his lot in the 
bijccnzvoningc (village). He failed to fulfil his agreement and accordingly 
is charged with an annual rent of f32 from 1649. His house stood in 
Greenbush and was in 1658 taken over by Jan Baptist van Rensselaer. 
April 30, 1648, the court of Rensselaerswyck granted the petition of Jan 
Verbeeck and Jan Michielsz for the exclusive right to exercise their trade as 
tailors with one helper [Jacob Teunisz], at wages of 36 stivers a day each 
for themselves and 30 stivers a day for the helper. Jan Verbeeck was ap- 
pointed Gcrcchts pcrsoon (member of the court) of Rensselaerswyck on 
Jan. 5, 1651, and took the oath on Jan. 12th. 



Volckert Hansz, after 1651 usually referred to as Volckert Jansz, and 
still later as Volckert Jansz Donzv. His name is first mentioned under 
date of April 27, 1642; in the harvest of 1647, he was employed on the 
Vlackte. From 1647 to 1649, he and Jan Thomasz are jointly charged 
with f32 a year for ground rent and the right to trade; from 1649 to 1652 
Volckert Jansz is charged with f32 a year for his place aenden bcrch (on 
the hill) on which he built a house. From May 1, 1653, to May 1, 1658, 
Pietcr Hartgers, Volckert Jansz and Jan Thomasz arc charged jointly 
with an annual rent of f.=;6o for a farm on Papscanec Island, formerly 
occupied by Juriaen Bestval. Volckert Jansz and Jan Thomas bought this 
farm in 1658, for 950 beavers or f76oo; and Oct. T2. 1694, Volckert Jansz hL 
settled his account for one half of the tithes till 16S8. Jan. 24, 1664, the 
council of Rensselaerswyck passed a resolution annulling the purchase of 
land from the Indians, at Schodac, made by Volckert Jansz and Jan Thomasz 
without the consent of the colony. When notice of this resolution was 
served on them, they produced a patent from Stuyvesant, dated Nov. 3, 
1663. In 1650, Volckert Jansz accompanied Arent van Curler on an embassy 
to the Maquaes. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 827 

By den Houttuyn 
Sailed from the Texel in June 1642; arrived at Nciv Amsterdam, 

August 4, 1642 

Hendrick Andriesz (Driesz), from [Doesburch, province of Gclderland] ; 
was the brother in law of Harry Albertsz and sailed with the latter on 
den Houttuyn, at the age of 21. He appears in the colony till 1651. 

Juriaen Bestval (Bestvall, Bestivall, Westval, Westvael, Westvaelt, van 
Westvaele), from Luyderdorp [Leiderdorp, near Leyden] ; came by den 
Houttuyn and drew wages in the colony from Aug. 13, 1642. In July 1644, 
he is referred to as servant of Michiel Jansz. Jan. 14, 1649, Juriaen Best- 
val and Jochem Kettelheym took over from Evert Pels the remaining term 
of the lease, till May 1, 1653, of the farm formerly occupied by Symon 
Walichsz; Oct. 8, 1651, Jochem Kettelheym was released from his obligations 
and Juriaen Bestval became solely responsible. This farm was on Papscanee 
Island and was leased from May 1, 1653, to May 1, 1658, by Pieter Hartgers, 
and in 1658 sold to Volckert Jansz and Jan Thomasz. 

Johan Carstensz, from Barlt, [in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, 
Prussia] ; came by den Houttuyn and drew wages in the colony from Aug. 
13, 1642. In July 1644, he appears as servant of Michiel Jansz. 

Jan Helmsz (Helms, Helmsen, Helmichsen, Helmes, Helmessen), from 
Barlt, [in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia]; also referred to 
as Jan Helmsen alias Jan de Bock ; came by den Houttuyn and drew wages 
in the colony from Aug. 13, 1642. From about 1650 to 1658, he is charged 
with an annual rent of f445 for a farm at Bethlehem which he appears 
to have taken over from Jan Dircksz, from Bremen. 

Claes Jansz, from Waelwijck, [about 14 miles west of Bois-le-Duc, in 
the province of North Brabant] ; came by den Houttuyn in 1642 and was 
still in the colony in 1(149. 

Paulus Jansz, from Geertruydenbergh, [in the province of North 
Brabant] ; came by den Houttuyn and appears in the accounts as jongen 
(boy) of Adriaen van der Donck, wages beginning Aug. 13, 1642. 

Jochem Kettelheym (Kettelhuyn, Kettelheun, Kuttelheijm, Kuttelhuijn, 
Cuttelhuyn);came by den Houttuyn and served in the colony from Aug. 
13, 1642, under Andries de Vos. From Sept. 20, 1646, to April 20, 1648, 
he was employed on de Vlackte, at wages of fi20 a year. Jan. 14, 1649, 
Jochem Kettelheym and Juriaen Bestval took over from Evert Pels the lease 
of the farm formerly occupied by Symon Walichsz, till the expiration of said 
lease on May 1, 1653, at an annual rent of f56o, but Oct. 8, 1651, Kettelheym 
was released from his obligations and Bestval became solely responsible. 
According to O'Callaghan, History of New Netherlands 1 1451, Jochem Ket- 
telheym came from Cremyn [Kremmin, near Stettin, PomeraniaL 

*Cornelis Lambertsz, from Doom, [near Utrecht] ; is given among 
those who were to sail with Domine Megapolensis on den Houttuyn in 
June 1642. but his name does not appear in the records of the colony. He 
probably remained at the Manhatans and soon thereafter died, as in the 
marriage records of the Reformed Dutch church of New York, under date 
of Sept. 4, 1644, is found the marriage of Williclm Bredenbent and Aeltje 
Braconie, widow of Corn. Lamberts. 



/ 



828 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Johannes Megapolensis, formerly minister at Schoorl and Bergen, 
[near Alkmaar, in the province of North Holland]; entered into ;i contract 
with Kiliacn van Rensselaer, April 6, 1042, to serve as preacher in the 
colony for the period of six years, at an annual salary of fiooo for' the 
first three years and of fi2oo for the last three years, lie sailed with his 
wife and four children by den Houttuyn in June 1642 and served as pas- 
tor of the colony from Aug. 13, 1642, till the summer of 1649. For the 
entire period of his residence in the colony he appears to have lived in the 
grenen bosch (pine woods), on the east side of the river, and it is there, 
in his own house, that religious services were held till some time between 
1646 and 1648, when the patroon's storehouse near Fort Orange was 
adapted to a church. The real name of Megapolensis was probably Groot- 
stadt; Kieft, in a letter of Sept. 11, 1642, refers to him as do e grootstedius, 
and references are found in accounts kept by Jeremias van Rensselaer in 1656 
to a surgeon by the name of Mr. Johannes grootstadt who was not unlikely 
the son of Domine Megapolensis. 

Juriaen Pauwelsen (Pouwelsen, Pauwesz, Poulisz), from Sleswyck 
[SchleswigJ ; came by den Houttuyn and began his service in the colony 
on Aug. 13, 1642. He is referred to as Jeuriaen Poulisz Jongen (boy), and 
in July 1044, as the servant of Michiel Jansz. He does not appear in the 
accounts after 16.14. 

Evert Pels, from Statijn, or Steltijn [Stettin, Pomerania] ; was en- 
gaged as brewer for the term of six years, June 5, 1642, and sailed the same 
year by den Houttuyn with his wife and servant. Feb. 28, 1647, he leased 
the farm formerly occupied by Symon Walichsz, on Papscanee Island for 
six years, at fs6o a year, but after building a new house and barns trans- 
ferred the lease to Juriaen Bcstval and Jochem Kettclheym, Jan. 14, 1649, 
and turned the property over on March 25, 1649. Nov. 18, 1649, he leased, 
jointly with Willem Fredericks^ (Bout) the farm formerly occupied by 
Crijn Cornclisz, in Greenbush, for which lie is charged in the accounts with 
an annual rent of f400, from May I, 1649 till 1661 when he moved to the 
Esopus; the same day they also leased the saw- and grist-mill in Greenbush, 
formerly occupied by Jacob Jansz Flodder, for which he is charged with an 
annual rent of fi25, from May 1, 1649, till May I, 1658. 

Abraham Staas (Staes, Staet, Staets), from Amsterdam, surgeon; 
entered into a contract with Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Feb. 1, 1 642, to sail 
to the colony with his wife Trijntjc Jochims and one servant, and to 
practice as surgeon for the period of six years from the date of his ar- 
rival, to the exclusion of all others. He sailed by den Houttuyn with one 
servant, but apparently without his wife. In the contract his age is given 
as 24; that of his wife as 10 years. Staas is credited in the accounts with 
various supplies furnished by him between 1642 and 1648, indicating thai 
he was engaged in business besides practicing as a surgeon; also with f^o 
for salary as surgeon from Nov. 16, 1645, to Nov. 16, 1646; with fOo for 
salary as surgeon and work on de Ylacktc till Nov. 1 '147 ; and witli fjo for 
salary as surgeon till March 20, 1^148. lie is further credited witli t'58 :6 
for salary as Raetspersoon (councilor'), from Feb. 5. 1643, (o April 10, 
io||, and with f4oo for salary as Presideercnde (presiding officer of the 
council) from April 10, 1644, to April to, 1648. Sept. 9, 1649, Abraham 
Staas obtained a lot in the byeenwooninge (village), near the first creek, 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 829 

on the terms of the freemen. In 1658, he owned a yacht and is referred 
to as Capt. Staes. 

Hans Vos, from Baeden [Baden, Germany]; was engaged for six 
years, three years at foo a year and three years at fioo a year. lie sailed 
by den Houttuyn and began his service in the colony on Aug. 13, 1642. 
Soon after his arrival he was appointed Gcrcchtsboode, or Stceboo, (court 
messenger), for which in the accounts he is credited with an annual salary 
of f.40 from Oct. 12, 1642, to May 12, 1648. In addition to this salary, he 
is credited with wages from Nov. 18, 1644, to May 18, 1648, at fno a year. 
Before Dec. 17, 1648, he entered into a contract to serve Pieter de Boer 
for four months, and Dec. 23, 1648, he was reengaged as court messenger, 
for four months, at a salary equal to f5o a year and board, upon condi- 
tion that he work two or three days each week for the director at fi a day 
and in the morning fetch water, chop wood and spade the garden; for 
work done for Pieter de Boer he was to receive pay according to contract 
and for work done for others as much as he could get. From Jan. 1, 1650, 
to April 1, 1650, Hans Vos served as court messenger on a salary of f20 
a month, and one day's work a week for the patroon without further 
compensation. 

Joris Borrelingen (Borlingen), Englishman, servant of Crijn Cornelisz; 
is charged with supplies in 1642 and 1643. 

Willem Fredericksz, from Lcyden, Vrij Timmerman (free carpenter) ; 
after 1651, commonly referred to as Willem Fredericksz Bout, or Boudt; 
is first charged with supplies in 1642. Between 1646 and 1648, he is credited 
with f8o " for making in the church a pulpit, the sounding board, a seat 
for the magistrates, one ditto for the deacons, a window with two lights, 
closing up a window ami [building] therein a small closet, [making] a rail 
near the pulpit, with a corner seat and 9 benches." By the term " church " 
must be understood the patroon's storehouse, near Fort Orange, which 
according to de Hooges' petition for an increase of salary, dated March 
27, 1648, had been turned into a church. Between 1648 and 1651, Willem 
Fredericksz is charged with f 142:6 for passage of his wife and two chil- 
dren, as per account of Geertgen Mannix [Nannincks], showing that he 
iiihsI have married Geertje Nannincks shortly after the death of her third 
husband Claes Jansz Rust, the baker (cf. petition of Pieter Wblphertsz, 
guardian of children of Claes Jansz, Nov. 30, 1648, N.Y.Col.Mss, 4:422). 
Nov. 18, 1649, Willem Fredericksz and Evert Pels jointly leased the farm 
formerly occupied by Crijn Cornelisz and the mill formerly leased by 
Jacob Jansz Flodder. From 1650 to 1652 Willem Fredericksz is charged 
with an annual rent of f 16 for a hofstccde (house lot) on which he had 
built a house. 

Andries Herbertsz (Herbert, Herberts, Herpertsz), referred to as 
Andries Herbertsz alias Constapel, Andries Constapel and in one instance 
as de Constapel vande Vierblacs (the gunner of the vuurblaas, a kind of 
Erigate, built of fir or spruce, formerly used in Sweden). He was ap- 
parently n.it engaged for a definite term of years, but employed at different 
times to do garden work, cut and haul lumber, build fences, or work at 
the grist-mill. Between 1659 ami i(>(>j he furnished the colony with brick 
and tiles Ik mi the kiln conveyed to him by Pieter Meusz. June 23, 1662, 



83O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

he was severely wounded in a tavern brawl by Seger Cornelisz, whom, in 
self defense, he mortally wounded with a knife. Andries Herbertsz died 
before Oct. 12, 1662. His wife was Annetje Juriaens, sister of Volkertje 
Juriaens, the wife of Jan Fransz van Hoesen. 

Albert Jansz, from Amsterdam, carpenter; is charged with supplies 
in 1642, and on Aug. 7, 1644, credited with ig l / 2 days' wages at 16 stivers 
a day for work done at the house of Domine Megapolensis. 

Claes Jansz, from Breda, [province of North Brabant]; is charged with 
supplies in 1642, and is referred to as a boy in the service of Adriaen van 
der Donck. After van der Donck's departure in 1646, he was for one 
year employed by Cornells Segersz van Voorhout. He is perhaps the same 
person as Clacs Jansz Smith, who in July 1647 importuned de Hooges at 
the Manhatans for settlement of his account and who sailed for Holland 
by de Prinses, which was wrecked in Sept. 1647. 

Jacob Jansz, from Noordstrandt, or Norstrandt [Nordstrand, an island 
off the coast of Schleswig] ; appears first in 1642, when supplies furnished to 
him are charged to Cornelis Hendricksz van Nes. With others, he took 
the oath of fealty, Nov. 28. 1651. 

Jan Pooy (Jehan Poeij); was furnished with supplies in 1642 and 1643 
and is referred to as Boetgesel van Rens'wyck, that is, sailor of the colony's 
yacht Rensselaerswyck. 

Claes Teunisz, referred to as Claes Teunisz alias Uylenspiegel and as 
Clacs Teunisz Uylenspiegel (the wag, or joker) ; is credited with two years' 
wages in van Curler's time and with wages earned on de Vlackte, from April 
10, 1645, to the fall of 1646; also with wages of his partner Thomas de En- 
gelsman; and with various amounts for sweeping a chimney, finding horses, 
etc. Dec. 17, 1648, he was prosecuted for driving his horse too fast. He 
took over the farm of Jan Andriesz, Dec. 21, 1649, and was ordered to 
vacate it Sept. 9, 1650, for failure to improve it satisfactorily. 

Teunis Teunisz, from Loenen, [province of Utrecht] ; referred to as 
Tennis de Metselaer (the mason) ; built a chimney in van der Donck's house 
perhaps as early as 1642. Jointly with Jan Gouw, he contracted to build 
a brick house for Jeremias van Rensselaer, Sept. 8, 1659. 

Claes Tijssen [Mathijsz]; is charged with supplies in 1642 and some 
time before 1648 appears to have been in the service of Evert Pels. June 
23, 1650, the court ordered Director van Slichtenhorst to pay fi92 due to 
Clacs Tijssen for wages earned on de Vlackte. 

1643 

Lucas Ellertsz (Luycas Elbertsen) ; appears but once in the records of 
the colony, under date of May 29, 1643, when his account is charged to 
Cornelis Teunisz, from Meerkerck. He was in New Amsterdam in June 
1646 and in Beverwyck in 1661. 

Jacob Jonasz; is charged under date of June 12, 1643, with 16 stivers 
and 4 pence for l /i yard of duffel. No other reference to him is found in 
the records of the colony. 

Wolf Nijssen (Wolphert Nys), from t'Stift, [bishopric of Utrecht]; 
bound himself at the Manhatans, June 15, 1643, to serve Evert Pels and 
his wife in Rensselaerswyck for two years, at wages of fns a year. After 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 83 1 

the expiration of his term of service, he was employed by de Hooges and 
others to sweep chimneys, cart hay, chop wood and do various other 
tasks. In 1646, or 1647, he was executed for a crime which is not named 
in the records. 

Jan Barentsz Wemp, nicknamed Poest; appears to have been in the 
colony as early as 1643 and for a time to have served under Cornelis 
Teunisz, from Breuckelen. From April 10, 1645, to June 11, 1646, he had 
charge of the patroon's farm called de Vlackte and during that period is 
credited with wages at the rate of f300 a year, for the services of himself 
and his wife. He left de Vlackte June 11, 1646, on account of some spor- 
lingh met de wilden (trouble with the Indians) and Aug. 13, 1646, agreed 
to take charge of the saw- and grist-mill on the fifth creek for the term of 
five years beginning July 25, 1646, at wages of f 13 a month and f 100 a year 
for board. March 20, 1647, with Andries Herbertsz, he took a lease of land 
south of Jan Dircksz, from Bremen, and east of Albert Andriesz, along the 
creek of Castle Island and the mill [Normans] kill, for six years, at an 
annual rent of f275 from Nov. 1, 1647. Ahdries Herbertsz, however, 
changed his plans and Jan Barentsz agreed to carry out the terms of the 
contract alone. He remained in possession of this farm till Nov. 1, 1654, 
when he took over the farm of Thomas Chambers, situated on the east 
side of the river on what later became known as the Poesten Kill. Jan 
Barentsz obtained a lot adjoining the stockade and north of Thomas Jansz, 
Feb. 1, 1652, the rent to begin at Easter 1653. In 1661, he owned a house 
which was leased by Jeremias van Rensselaer for the use of the schout, 
Gerard Swart. Jan Barentsz died between May 18 and June 28, 1663. His 
widow married Sweer Theunisz, from Velsen, [near Arnhem], who was 
engaged in Holland, Nov. 9, 1660, as a farm hand for Jan Barentsz. 

1644 

By het Wapen van Rensselaerszvyck 
Sailed from Amsterdam in September 1643 ; arrived at Nezv Am- 
sterdam in March 1644 

Jacob Adriaensz, generally referred to as Jacob Adriaenss Rademaecker 
(wheelwright) ; probably the wheelwright from Hilversum, mentioned in the 
" Redress," of Sept. 5, 1643, as about to sail by het Wapen van Rensselaers- 
wyck. He is charged in the accounts with rent for a small piece of land op- 
posite the Mill Kill, seeded by him and Jacob Lambertsz in 1648 and also 
with rent, from 1650 to 1652, at {32 a year, for a house lot, north of Arent 
Andriesz, where he was to exercise his trade. 

Claes Andriesz, from Hilversum, [in the Gooi, or Gooiland, province 
of North Holland] ; hence also called Claes Andriesz Gojer; probably sailed 
on het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck, in Sept. 1643, and appears in March 
1650 as servant of Jan Barentsz Wemp. March 26, 1650, he is sentenced 
for various misdemeanors. 

Nicolaes Coorn; was commissioned by the patroon as commander and 
commis on Rensselaerssteyn, Aug. 26, 1643, and probably came by het Wapen 
van Rensselaerswyck. He succeeded Adriaen van der Donck as schout of 
the colony in the spring or summer of 1646 and apparently held that office 



832 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

till Uic arrival of Director van Slichtenhorst, March 22, 1648. In April 
1048, in answer to a petition which has not been preserved, the council 
of the colony stated that his title was" Ofiicier Luijtenant and his salary {36 
a month; also that he might style his tavern Stadts Herberg and build on 
site requested, but that consent could not be given to grant any one exclusive 
right to sell liquor. In 1648, he is several times ordered to render accounts 
of goods consigned to him by the late patroon and Jan. 27, 1649, he is sum- 
moned to appear before the court to prove that Hans Vos, the court mes- 
senger, is an informer, or else to retract abusive language used in the 
tavern respecting Hans Vos and the council. He seems to have left the 
colony in 1649. July 25, 1647, he gave a power of attorney to Claes Jansz 
Calff to receive property left him by his deceased mother Janneken Kassers, 
matron of the hospital at Steenbergen, [province of North Brabant] (N.Y. 
Col.Mss, 2:160). 

Jan Dircksz, from Bremen, [Germany]; was commissioned skipper of 
the colony's yacht Rensselaerswyck on Aug. 25, 1643, when he would seem 
lo have been in Amsterdam, though he had been in New Amsterdam as 
early as Aug. 4,1 1639. From Sept. 14, 1648, to stubble time 1649, he occu- 
pied a farm at Bethlehem, which March 1, 1650, was leased to Jan Helms, 
for f445 a year. In 1651 he was in Catskill and Feb. 20, 1659, he conveyed 
his farm there to Eldert Gerbertsz Cruyf, in exchange for a house in 
Beverwyck. 

Jacob Lambertsz van Dorlandt; was prosecuted in April 1648 for 
wounding Paulus Jansz Noorman, and in Dec. 1648 for calling Jochem Ket- 
telheym an informer. He is apparently the same person as Jacob Lambertsz 
Gojer (from Gooiland, province of North Holland), who was prosecuted in 
Jan. 1651 for insults offered to Director van Slichtenhorst, de Hooges and 
Hans Vos, in Greenbush in Dec. 1650, and must probably also be identified 
with Jacob schoenmaker (shoemaker), to whom Evert Pels paid f20 wages 
in 1649, and with the shoemaker from Hilversum, mentioned in the 
" Redress " of Sept. 5, 1643, as about to sail by het Wapen van Rens- 
selaerswyck. Jacob Lambertsz, from Hilversom, about 20 years of age, 
testified in regard to the burning of a house at New Amsterdam, March 9, 
[644 (N.Y. Col.Mss, 2:99). 

Jan Gerritsz, carpenter; is credited, under date of 1646, with V/> years' 
wages at fcjo a year, from March 26, 1644, to Sept. 26, 1645; with wages at 
fi6 a month at the mill on the fifth creek, from Sept. 26, 1645, to Aug. 26, 
1646; and, jointly with Barent Pietersz, with sawing of 2089 boards, at 3 
stivers a cut, the last item presumably according to agreement of Oct. 1645 
with dc Hooges. Oct. II, 1646, Jan Gerritsz Timmerman and Baerent 
Pietersz entered into a new agreement with de Hooges whereby the first 
two men jointly took charge of the sawmill, and Jan Gerritsz alone of 
" both the mills" [sawmill and grist-mill?], at fi25 a year for board and 3 
stivers per cut for sawing, the contract to last till the end of Jan Gerritsz' 
term of service. Jan Gerritsz probably arrived on het Wapen van Rens- 
selaerswyck and died before March 17, 1650, perhaps as early as Dec. 
J4, 1648. 

Dirck Hendricksz, from Hilversum, [in Gooiland, province of North 
Holland I; also referred to as Dirck dc Gojcr; was probably one of the 
four men from Hilversum mentioned in the "Redress" of Sept. 5, 1643, 






VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 833 

as about to sail by het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck. June 8, 1649, he and 
Claes Andriesz, from Hilversum, were ordered to complete the term of 
service for which they had been engaged and June 14, 1649, Dirck Hen- 
dricksz was taken over by Christoffel Davids. About 1652 he was at Catskill. 

Jan Huybertsz, tailor ; is charged with f5o for board on het Wapen 
van Rensselaerswyck in 1643, and credited with f29 for a suit of clothes 
made for Pieter Wynkoop. 

Claes Cornelisz van Voorhout, second son of Cornelis Segersz van 
Voorhout ; also called Claes Segersz, to distinguish him from Claes Cor- 
nelisz, the brother of Gijsbert Cornelisz, op den Hoogenberch. He occupied 
a farm on Papscanee Island from 1648 to 1658. 

Cornelis Cornelisz van Voorhout, eldest son of Cornelis Segersz van 
Voorhout; is charged from Jan. 31, 1652, to Jan. 31, 1658, with an annual 
rent of fioo, apparently for six morgens of land in Greenbush, formerly 
occupied by Christoffel Davids, which were leased to Teunis Dircksz van 
Vechten, on Jan. 31, 1650, and would seem to have been occupied by Cor- 
nelis Cornelisz after that year, rh Jan. 165 1, he is summoned to appear 
before the court to answer various charges of assault and battery. This 
Cornelis Cornelisz is probably the same person as jongc Cornelis seegersen, 
and jongc kecs, mentioned in various accounts in 1656 and 1657. 

Cornelis Segersz (Zegersz) van Voorhout; in his contract with the 
patroon, Aug. 25, 1643, referred to as Cornells Scgcrtsen van egmont. 
Voorhout is a small place near Leyden ; Egmont lies near Alkmaar. He 
sailed by het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck with his wife, Brechtje Jacobs, 
45 years of age, and six children, Cornelis, 22; Claes, 20; Seger, 14; 
Lysbeth, 16; Jannetje, 10; and Neeltje, 8 years of age. On his arrival in 
the colony, he entered upon the farm formerly occupied by Brant Peelen, 
deceased, which was one of the two farms on Castle Island; in 1646, he 
took over from Adriaen van der Donck the other farm for the remaining 
three years of the lease, and thus came into possession of the entire island 
In an undated will, recorded between 1643 and 1648, Cornelis Segersz and 
his wife declare that they possess nothing; that any property which they 
may acquire shall go to the five children who live with them ; and that the 
sixth child, Lysbeth, v/ho is married, and therefore does not assist them in 
the acquisition of property, shall receive as an acknowledgment one pound 
Flemish. At the time the will appears to have been drawn, Lysbeth was 
married to Gijsbert Cornelisz, from Weesp, the tavern keeper. Shortly 
after his death, in 1653 or 1654, she married Francois Boon. 

Seger Cornelisz van Voorhout, third son of Cornelis Segersz van Voor- 
hout and husband of Jannetje Teunis, daughter of Teunis Dircksz van 
Vechten. He died June 24, 1662, of a knife wound inflicted the day before 
at the tavern of Anthonis Jansz by Andries Herbertsz Constapel, whom he 
had severely wounded on the head with a piece of wood. 



Abraham Clock; was a carpenter and perhaps also a mason by trade 
and is credited in the accounts with various amounts for work done between 
1644 and 1646, notably on the house of Adriaen van der Donck on Castle 
Island, which burned down in Jan. 1646. 

Gijsbert Cornelisz, from Weesp, [near Amsterdam] ; commonly re- 
ferred to as Gijsbert Cornelisz waert, or zvecrt (tavern keeper). He appears 
53 



834 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

at New Amsterdam as early as June 1639, and in 1646 is credited with wine 
and beer furnished at the departure of Arent van Curler, showing that he 
must have been in the colony of Rensselaerswyck in the fall of 1644. He is 
charged from 1647 to 1652 with i$2 a year for right of the fur trade and 
with f40 a year for license to sell liquor. He married Lysbeth, the daughter 
of Cornells Segersz van Voorhout, and died between Oct. 25, 1653, and Aug. 
22, 1654. Aug. 24, 1654, Antony de Hooges gives a promissory note to 
Francois Boon, husband and guardian of Lysbeth Cornells, formerly widow 
of Gijsbert Cornells: Ouwerkerck, deceased, for wine and beer consumed at 
public leasings of farms, communion service, in household of patroon, etc. 
Ouwerkerck, or Oudekerk, is a small place on the river Amstel, a few 
miles west of Weesp. 

Pieter Hartgers (Hartgars, Hartgras, Harties, Hartiens, Hertgers); 
signs his name Pieter hartgerts. He is credited in the accounts with a 
salary of f 14 a month, from Nov. 1, 1644, to Feb. 1, 1648, and during this 
period, which closely corresponds to that of van Curler's absence, appears 
to have assisted de Hooges in the management of the colony. From 1647 
to 1652, he is charged with f32 a year for ground rent and the right to 
trade, and as early as 1646 he seems to have had a brewery. May 4, 1649, 
he and de Hooges leased for three years a garden between Fort Orange 
and the patroon's hof, where formerly the patroon's trading house stood, 
and about the same time Pieter Hartgers agreed to pay an annual rent, 
beginning in 1653, ot f° ur beavers for a lot for his mother in law Annetjen 
Dom c [Annetje Jans, widow of Domine Bogardus] on which he built a 
house. From May 1, 1653, to May 1, 1658, Pieter Hartgers, Volckert Jansz 
and Jan Thomasz were joint lessees of a farm on Papscanee Island, 
formerly occupied by Juriaen Bestval. Pieter Hartgers was at Amsterdam 
Dec. 20, 1660, and made an agreement with Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 
regarding the purchase of 30 pieces of duffel which were to be delivered to 
him on his return to Fort Orange. 

Mathijs Jansz; is credited in the accounts with wages for baking at 
the house of the patroon and with beer furnished between 1644 and 1646. 
He died before Oct. 13, 1648. 

Jan Thomasz; is first mentioned about 1644, and in 1646 is referred 
to as the former servant of Adriaen van der Donck. June 11, 1646, while 
de Hooges was at the Manhatans, he was engaged by Pieter Hartgers as 
farmer on de Vlackte, in place of Jan Barentsz Wemp, at yearly wages of 
f25o, cloth for a suit, one pair of shoes and two shirts. March 25, 1649, 
Director van Slichtenhorst ended his contract. In 1648 he had a house built 
by Thomas Chambers and from 1653 to 1658 he, Pieter Hartgers and 
Volckert Jansz appear as lessees of the farm on Papscanee Island formerly 
occupied by Juriaen Bestval. He bought this farm, jointly with Volckert 
Jansz, in 1658 and continued to pay tithes till 1684, from which date till 
1688 tithes were paid by his widow. With Volckert Jansz he obtained a 
patent for land at Schodac in 1663. 

Adriaen Willemsz; was sentenced to banishment from the colony, 
Aug. 13, 1644, for having stolen some beaver skins from the house of Arent 
van Curler. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 835 

1645 

Richard Briggom [Brigham?], Englishman; was employed by Antony 
de Hooges, from 1645 to 1647, in chopping wood, cooking, spading and 
similar work. In 1646 his wages are credited to Sander Leendertsz. 

Jacob Jansz Stol; signs himself Jacob Jansz Hap; appears first in the 
accounts of the colony under date of 1645 and in that year furnished various 
colonists with shoes, stockings, shirts and other supplies. He acted as 
skipper between Rensselaerswyck and New Amsterdam in July 1649, and 
soon after succeeded Harry Albertsz, from London, as ferrymaster of the 
colony. Feb. 15, 1652, he accompanied Johannes Dyckman in serving on the 
authorities of the colony an extract from the resolutions of the director 
general and council of Jan. 29, 1651, and a reply to the request for restitu- 
tion of the colony's cannon. In 1658, he lived at the Esopus where with 
Evert Pels he had bought land in 1654. 

1646 

Rutger Adriaensz, tailor, brother of Gijsbert Adriaensz, from Bunnick; 
apparently employed by Jan Michielsz. He does not appear in records of 
the colony after Oct. 1651. 

Thomas Chambers (Chamber), carpenter; appears first in the accounts 
in 1646, in connection with building a kitchen and chimney at the house of 
Domine Megapolensis. Sept. 7, 1646, he entered into an agreement about 
the lease of the land between the Wynants and Poesten Kills, in the southern 
part of the present city of Troy, for the term of five years, from Nov. 1, 
1647. He occupied this land till July 1654 and shortly after moved to the 
Esopus. Sept. 23, 1650, he was chosen to accompany Arent van Curler to 
the Maquaes to renew the former covenant of friendship. He was nicknamed 
Clabbordt, a corruption of the English term clapboard, and may have intro- 
duced into the colony the method of weatherboarding houses with clap- 
boards, which is not practiced in Holland. 

Barent Gerritsz; worked, apparently in 1646, for seven and a half 
months on the farm called de Vlackte. 

Jacob Hevingh (Hevick); was employed on de Vlackte from the 
harvest of 1646 till May I, 1647, and thereafter did a variety of work such 
as helping to erect a new barn, hauling lumber, carting hops, etc. From 
March 3, 1649, to 1655, he is charged with f20 a year for a house lot and 
garden opposite Castle Island. In Dec. 1649 he was prosecuted for stealing 
some boards. He owned a house and brewhouse which about 1655 were 
sold at public auction and after passing through several hands were bought 
on Feb. 19, 1655, by Adriaen Jansz, from I.eyden. 

Jan de Neger (the negro); is credited in 1646 with f3S advanced by 
him for clothes which he was to receive in the service of the patroon, and 
in 1646, or 1647, with f38 Voor dot hij hem heeft Laetten gebruijeken tot 
schcrp Rechter, ter executie van Justitic, over den misdadiger Wolf Nijsscn 
(for having consented to act as executioner to carry out the sentence upon 
the criminal, Wolf Nijssen). O'Callaghan, in his History of New Nethcr- 
land, 1:320 and 441, refers to him as the "hangman" of the colony. The 
wording of the entry in the account clearly shows that no such office existed 



836 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and that the execution of Wolf Nijssen was an exceptional case, in which 
the negro was induced to serve. 

Jan Fransz van Hoesen (Hoesem) ; was apparently in the colony as 
early as 1646, and in 1648 helped to erect a new barn for Jan Barentsz Wemp. 
By resolution of April 1, 1650, a garden was assigned to him between the 
first and second creeks and Jan. 18, 1652, he was given the use of the 
place of Willem Juriaensz, the baker, on condition that he let said Willem 
stay in his house " as long as he lives, or opportunity offers." His wife 
was Volkertje Juriaens. 

Thomas Higgins (Higgens, Higges, Heggens), referred to as Thomas 
Higgins alias Compeer, tomas Compeer eu^elsmau and Kleyne Tliomas 
alias Compeer; worked on de Vlackte in 1647, and about the same time 
appears lo have been in the employ of Thomas Chambers. About 1650 he 
seems to have moved to Catskill. April 28, 1657, he entered into a con- 
tract for the use of two horses, for the period of six years. Perhaps he 
is the same as Thomas de Enyelsmaii, who about 1646 is referred to as maet 
(partner) of Claes Teunisz Uylenspiegel. 

Willem Leendertsz, referred to as Willem leenertsz geelgictcr, and 
Willem de yeehjietter (the brass founder) ; is credited with fiso for wages 
earned on de Vlackte, from July 1, 1647, to May 1, 1648, and charged with 
grain in 1649 and beer in 1651. fie may have been in the colony as early as 
1646. 

Carsten Pietersz; came before 1646, being in that year referred to as 
the deceased maet (partner) of Jacob Hevick. 

Jan Willemsz Schut (Schuth) ; was a cooper by trade and appears 
Iirst in the accounts under date of 1646. He was to have sailed by den 
Harinck in Sept. 1637, but for some reason failed to go and Frans Altersz, 
the cooper, came in his stead. In 1657, appears at Beverwyck Willem 
Jansz Schut, alias Dommelaer (the dozer), who was probably a son of Jan 
Willemsz Schut. 

1647 

HarmenBastiansz; appears first in the accounts of the colony in 1647, 
but was in New Netherland as early as Sept. 1.3, 1639, when with Evert 
Evertsz Bischop and Sibout Claesz he leased a sawmill on Nooten Island, 
now Governor's Island. He was a carpenter and with Dirck Jansz [Croon], 
built a house in Beverwyck on the site of the present National Commercial 
Bank, which he seems to have occupied from 1650 to 1652 and which on 
Jan. 25, 1652. was transferred to the name of Dirck Jansz. Feb. 9, 1652, 
Director van Slichtenhnrst promised him indemnity for any loss he might 
incur by proceeding with the building of his house contrary to the orders 
of Johannes Dy^ckman. llannen Bastiaensz was in 1667 surveyor of 
Albany; Pearson and other writers refer to him as Ilarmen Bastiaensz 
Visser. 

Thomas Coningh (Coninck, Cuningh, Keuningh); is credited with f 14 
for seven days' service on the occasion of the wedding of Antony de 
1 looms, in Oct. 1647, and appears among those who took the oalh of 
fealty, Now 28, [651. Feb. [9, 1055, lie sold to Adriaen Jansz. from Leyden, 
:i house, brewhouse, pigpen and fence, which he had acquired from 
Juriaen Tennis/, on Feb. 1, 1055, and which formerly belonged to Jacob 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 837 

Hevick. March 18, 1649, Cornells Segersz engaged a boy of Thomas 
Coningh to help him in the harvest. Thomas Coningh is doubtless the 
same person as tomas de Conine, who married Marritjen brans, from Beets, 
I province of Frieslandl, at New Amsterdam, Sept. 22, 1639. 

Simon de Groot; April 10, 1647, Jan Michielsz is credited with f28, 
paid to Simon de Groot for work done at the farm called de Vlackte. He 
is probably the same person as Symon Symonsz Groot, who went to the 
Esopiis in 1662. 

Marten Harmensz; received a lot in the byeenwooninge (village) and 
agreed not to trade with private traders, Jan. 12, 1651. He is perhaps the 
same person as Marten de metselaer (the mason), who is mentioned as 
early as May 25, 1647. 

Claes Kalf [Claes Jansz Calff]; appears to have been in the colony 
about 1647, when de Hooges charges his boy Mathaeus with two pairs of 
shoes from Claes Kalf. lie was a son in law of Brant Peelen. 

1648 

Jan Andriesz, from Dublin; testified Jan. 20, 1051, as to the killing 
of a cow and a horse of Thomas Chambers by the Indians in 1648 and 
1649. He received a lease of a new farm, to be established north of de Steene 
hoeck, for the term of 6 years, beginning Sept. 1, 1649, but Dec. 21, 1649, 
the lease was transferred to Claes Teunisz. In 1656, he lived at Catskill and 
Feb. 20, 1659, a farm at Catskill, sold by him to Jan Dircksz, from Bremen, 
was conveyed by the latter to Eldert Gerbertsz Cruyf. 

Gijsbert Cornelisz, from Breuckelen, [near Utrecht] ; farmer on the 
farm called de Hoogeberch, hence frequently referred to as Gijsbert 
Cornelisz van den Hoogenberch, op den Hoogenberch, or aen den Berch. 
He is charged in the accounts of the colony with an annual rent of f300 
from 1648 to 1653, and with an annua! rent of f350 and tithes from May 1, 
1653, to May 1, 1675. 

Aert Jacobsz; occupied, apparently as early as 1648, a farm at Beth- 
lehem which was destroyed by lire before May 1654. He then leased for 12 
years a farm in Greenbush, north of Cornells Hendricks/, van Nes. About 
1661 he moved to tin- Esopus. 

Cornelis Jansz; is first mentioned in the court records under date of 
Sept. g. 1048, in connection with the purchase of a musket belonging to the 
inventoried effects of the farm formerly used by- Crijn Cornelisz. Aug. 2, 
1040, Director van Slichtenhorst notified him and other skippers not to 
transport, colonists out of the colony without his consent. 

Evert Jansz, tailor; Oct. 13, 1648, the court of Rensselaer swyck granted 
llvert Jansz Cleermaecker (tailor), living on the island of Manhatans, per- 
mission to move to the colony and to exercise his trade, on condition that 
he build a house at his own expense. Nov. 7, 1651, he obtained a lot next 
to that of Abraham Pietcrsz, opposite the garden of Sander Leendertsz, 
being lot No. 2, on condition thai he enter into a contract like other settlers 
and build a house at least two boards long. He was at New Amsterdam 
as early as Feb. 1643. 

Jacob Jansz, from Stoutenburch, [near Amersfoorl, in the province 
of Utrecht]; is mentioned in the court proceedings as farmer on de Vlackte 



838 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

under date of June 18, 1648, though Jan Thomasz' contract as farmer 
was not ended by van Slichtenhorst till March 25, 1649. May 5, 1649, 
he took over the lease of the farm on the terms granted to Arent van 
Curler, in Holland, Sept. 30, 1647, with property valued at fi426. 

Paulus Jansz, referred to as Paulus Jansz Noorman and Poulus de 
Noorman; was wounded by Jacob Lambertsz van Dorlandt in 1648, and 
by Jacob Jansz Flodder in 1650. 

Pieter Jansz, from Hoorn [province of North Holland] ; also referred to 
as Pieter Jansz de Boer, and Pieter de Boer (the farmer) ; is first mentioned 
under date of Dec. 17, 1648, when Hans Vos is ordered to serve him for 
four months according to contract. He was still in Rensselaerswyck in 
1666. 

Jan Louwrensz, also referred to as Jan Louwrensz Appel; appears first 
in the colony under date of Oct. 12, 1648, as surety for Michiel Jansz. It 
is not unlikely that he was a relative of Adriaen Jansz, from Leyden, 
alias Appel. 

Geertje Nannincks (Mannix, Nanninx); came with her son and little 
daughter by den Coninck David, in 1641. She was the widow of Tjerck 
Hendricksz and married, Dec. 28, 1641, at New Amsterdam, Abel Redden- 
hasen; July 21, 1646, also at New Amsterdam, Claes Jansz Rust; and 
about 1648, apparently in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, Willem Fred- 
ericksz [Bout]. She is charged in the accounts of the colony, under date 
of 1642, with f 142:6 for board of herself and two children on den Coninck 
David, which amount, is transferred to the account of her husband Willem 
Fredericksz between 1648 and 1651. 

Evert Nolden (Noldingh) ; received permission to establish himself 
as a schoolmaster by resolution of the court of the colony of April 30, 1648. 
Nov. 16, 1651, he was prosecuted for having crushed Adriaen Dircksz' 
nose with a pair of fire tongs. He seems to have left the colony in 1660. 

Brant Aertsz van Slichtenhorst, from Nykerck, [province of Gelder- 
land]. According to O'Callaghan, History of New Nctherland, 2:69, van 
Slichtenhorst was appointed director of the colony Nov. 10, 1646, and 
sailed with his family and servants for Virginia Sept. 26, 1647. The 
records of the colony show that he arrived March 22, 1648, and held the 
office of director till July 24, 1652, when he was succeeded by Jan Baptist 
van Rensselaer. Between June 29, 1651, and July 24, 1652, van Slichten- 
horst was most of the time at the Manhatans and J. B. van Rensselaer 
acted in his stead, for the first two months apparently in conjunction with 
Capt. Slijter. April 4, 1650, de Hooges complained to the council that 
Director van Slichtenhorst had thus far rendered no accounts. The director 
replied that hy wel wat souwde ontfangen dan dat lict Antonij de Hooges 
heeft opgesuapt ('hat he would have received something if Antonij de 
Hooges had not gobbled it up). Van Slichtenhorst was still in the colony 
in July 1655 and lived in Holland in 1660. 

Pieter Teunisz, from Brunswijck, [Germany]; is first mentioned under 
date of March 28, 1648, as having taken farm implements, houses and 
cattle, formerly used by him and Crijn Cornclisz, with him to Catskill. 
In 1652 and 1653, Pieter Teunisz ami Jan Dircksz, from Bremen, were 
summoned to appear before the court to settle their accounts. 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 839 

Paulus Thomasz; testified Feb. I, 1652, that he, Jan Dircksz, from 
Bremen, Pieter Teunisz, Compeer and others entered upon lands at Cats- 
kill on condition that they be free from taxes for ten years. 

Hendrick Jansz Westerkamp (Westercamp) ; received permission on 
April 2, 1648, to seek a living in the colony by day labor or otherwise and 
soon seems to have established himself as a baker. In accordance with a 
resolution of April 1, 1650, he was granted the garden between the first 
and second creeks formerly occupied by Capital jn tWillem Juriaensz, the 
baker]. Westerkamp died before Jan. 17, 1655. His widow's name was 
Fern met je Alberts. 

1649 

Jacob de Brouwer; received apparently in 1649, permission to build on 
a Iwfstee (lot), next to Mr. Iwgcns [de Hooges], for which, from 1650 
to 1652, he is charged with a rent of fi6 a year. 

Egbert Doysz (Dojesz) ; servant of Sander Leendertsz Gkm, mentioned 
in the court records of the colony under dates of April 3, 1649, and March 
22, 1652. 

Thomas Fairfax; was employed by Christoffel Davids in 1649 and 1650 
and is referred to as a mason and an Englishman. 

Huybert, servant of Andries de Vos; was wounded by Poulijntje, 
in the brewery, in 1649. He may be the same as Huybert Jansz, who is 
mentioned in the court proceedings under date of Dec. 11, 1651. 

Frans Jacobsz; testified in 1649, being then 17 years of age, as to a 
fight which took place at midnight Oct. 20, 1649, in Greenbush, before the 
house of Evert Pels. He may be the same as fransoijs jacobsen de bruijn, 
referred to in an account of 1656, or perhaps as Frans Jacobss Coningh, 
who was in the colony in 1657. 

Adriaen Jansz, from Leyden; also referred to as Adriaen Janssen van 
Leijden alias Appel; appears in the records of the colony as early as 1649. 
Feb. 19, 1655, he bought from Thomas Coningh a house, brewhouse, pig- 
pen and fence which on Feb. 1, 1655, were acquired by Thomas Coningh 
frnm Juriaen Teunisz and which had formerly been in the possession of 
Jacob Hevick. He was a tavern keeper in 1656. From May 1, 1655 to 
May 1, 1657, he is charged with an annual rent of f24 for a garden, 
formerly used by Jacob Hendricksz. 

Paulus Jansz, from Gorcum [Gorinchem, in the province of South 
Holland] ; testified on Jan. 20, 1651, as to the killing of a horse of Thomas 
Chambers by the Indians in 1640. 

Steven Jansz, master carpenter ; moved from the Manhatans to the 
colony in July 1649 with his wife and daughter, a'nd immediately entered 
into a contract at wages of f20 a month, which were paid to him for two 
years. Jan. 18, 1651, he acknowledged that he had tapped beer at his 
house without license from Director van Slichtenhorst. Feb. I, 1652, he 
obtained permission to occupy a lot next to Hendrick Reur, the rent to 
begin in 1653. 

Jacques Meulewels; testified on March 4, 1649, before the court of 
Rensselaerswyck, that the servant of Sander Leendertsz had gone into the 
woods with a loaf of bread and brought Indians with six packs of skins 



84O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

to his master's house. No other reference to Meulewels is found and it is 
doutful whether lie was a colonist. 

Aert Otterspoor, also referred to as Aert aerntss van Ottcrspoor; was 
at Bethlehem, in 1649, 1650 and 1651. He came probably from Otterspoor, 
in the province of Utrecht. 

Tijs Pietersz; was ordered, July 31, 1649, to present himself within 
24 hours at the house of Director van Slichtenhorst to receive orders where 
to go according to his contract. The same day, Broer Cornells was notified 
not to harbor him. 

Jacob Toenijs [Teunisz] ; was employed by Jan Verbeeck, presumably 
as a tailor. Feb. 22, 1649, Director van Slichtenhorst attempted to arrest him 
in the greenen bos (pine woods), 'for abusive language to the director and 
assault on the director's son, but was prevented from doing so by Jacob 
Adriaensz Rademaecker and Jacob Adriaensz Wagenaer. Jacob Toenijs is 
probably the same as Cobus de siiijcr (the tailor), who is referred to in 
1657, and may also be the same as Jacob Toenisz, from Tuijl, in Gelderland 
who married Hilletje Toenis, at New Amsterdam, March 29, 1658. 

Jan (Johan, Johannes) van Twiller; referred to by Jeremias van 
Rensselaer as Nccff -Jan van Twiller (cousin Jan van Twiller). He was 
probably a younger brother of Wouter van Twiller, or perhaps, of Aert 
Goossens van Twiller, who on July 26, 1663, executed in the colony a power 
of attorney to Mr Peel van Hennekela, schout at Nieukerck, to demand 
of his brother in law Aert Jansz, shoemaker at Nieukerck, an accounting 
of the estate of his deceased father Goossen van Twiller and his mother 
Emmeke. Jan van Twiller was one of the Gecommitteerden (commissioners) 
in the colony in 1649, and at that time boarded with van Slichtenhorst. 
From July 24, 1652, to July 24, 1657, he held the office of racdts pcrsoon 
(councilor), at an annual salary of fso. He probably left the colony in 1657. 

Abraham Pietersz Vosburgh (Vosburch, Vosbergen, Vosberghen) ; was 
in the colony in August 1640, and from Easter 1651 is charged with fi6 
a year for a house lot, north of the patroon's house. Sept. 30, 1656, he 
and Hans Jansz, from Rotterdam, jointly leased a mill on the creek south 
of the farm occupied by Jan Barentz Wemp, for six years, at fioo a year. 

Gerrit (Gerardus) van Wencom; was assaulted by a Mahikan Indian 
at Bethlehem, Dec. 8, 1649, and Sept. 23, 1650, was chosen to go with others 
on an embassy to the Maquaes. He was still in the colony in 1653. 

1650 

Pieter Bronck; was at New Amsterdam in 1643 and would seem to 
have been a relative of Jonas Bronck, who was probably a Dane. He is 
charged from 1650 to 1652 with an annual rent of four beavers for a lot 
in the bijeenivoninge (village), on which he received permission to build. 
Sept. 7, 1651, the court granted him permission to erect a tavern near his 
house, the director having withdrawn his request that according to instruc- 
tions from the guardians of the young patroon but two taverns be allowed. 

Dirck Jansz [Croon, from Amsterdam]; was a carpenter by trade and, 
apparently in 1650, built with I larmen Bastiaensz a house in Beverwyck, 
which was transferred to his name Jan. 25, \6$2, on condition that he enter 
into a contract with the authorities of the colony and pay the patroon's 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 84I 

dues. He is entered in the accounts as Dirck jansz tiniinerman, but is well 
identified with Dirck Jansz Croon, from Amsterdam, who in 1655 became one 
of the magistrates of Beverwyck. 

Tijs Evertsz; testified on Jan. 12, 1651, as to the insolence of Jacob 
Lambertsz to Director van Slichtenhorst, Oct. 9, 1650, on the farm called 
de Hoogeberch. 

Wilhelmus Grasmeer, a son in law of Johannes Megapolensis; sailed 
from Holland shortly after April 16, 1650, and preached in the colony of 
Rensselaersw}'ck in 1650 and 1651. He returned to Holland in Nov. 1651. 
In the court proceedings of the colony, under date of Aug. 4, 1650, occurs 
what purports to be an extract from a letter from Wouter van Twiller to 
Gerrit Vastrick, asking him to enjoin Director van Slichtenhorst not to let 
Wilhelmus Grasmeer preach in the colony, because he had been forbidden to 
preach by the Classis of Alckmaer. The passage was read by Gerrit Vastrick 
and written down by Antony de Hooges, but was afterwards found not to 
agree with a copy furnished by Vastrick. Aug. 15, 1650, Vastrick refused to 
have a certified copy made and the authenticity of the extract was questioned. 

Laurens (Louwris) Jansz; lived with his wife Stijntje Pieters on 
'/ goct [farm on the fifth creek?] of Adriaen Huybertsz, in Jan. 1650. The 
same year a garden was granted to him north of the large garden of Sander 
Leendertsz, according to resolution of the court, dated April 1, 1650. 

Rem (Remmer) Jansz, from Jewerden [Jeveren, or Jever, in Olden- 
burg], smith; was at New Amsterdam as early as 1638, and in 1643 owned 
land on Long Island. Early in May 1650, he obtained from the authorities 
of Rensselaerswyck a lease of a garden adjoining the churchyard, and is re- 
ferred to as being an Inwoonder int Fort Orangien (inhabitant of Fort 
Orange). 

Lucas Pietersz [Koijemans]; mentioned in the court proceedings of 
Rensselaerswyck under date of Jan. 1650, and is called the brother of Barent 
Pietersz [Koijemans], who came in 1639. 

Thomas Sandersz (Sanders, Sandersen), from Amsterdam; was an 
early resident of New Amsterdam and came to the colony about July 13, 
1650, when the court granted " tomes Sanders . . . Smith, living at or near the 
Manhatans," permission to settle in the byccnwooninge (village) to support 
himself by his trade. July 17, 1650, Sacrtjc Cornells, wife of Thomas San- 
dersz Smith, testified as to misdeeds of Willem Juriaensz, the baker. Thomas 
Sanders was a smith and occupied at the Manhatans some time before 1649 
the mallesmits berch (crazy smith's hill), which may have derived its name 
from him (cf.N.Y.Col.Mss, 3:68; 4:235). 

Jacob [Jansz] van Schermerhoorn; presumably from Schermerhorn, in 
the province of North Holland ; was in Rensselaerswyck in 1650 and per- 
haps as early as 1648, Jan Barentsz Wemp being credited between those two 
dates with the price of 12 lb of nails, paid to labbatie and schermerhoorn. 

Philip Pietersz Schuyler. According to O'Callaghan, History of Neiu 
Nethcrland, 2:177, Philip Pietersz Schuyler came from Amsterdam to 
America in 1650, and married Dec. 22, 1650, Margareta van Slichtenhorst, 
daughter of the director of Rensselaerswyck. The earliest reference to him 
in the accounts of the colony is under date of 1652, when he is charged 
with a small amount for some old boards from the patroon's house. March 
25, 1652, he testified that Dyckman had stated " that he [Schuyler] would 
not have his father in law long, and tliat he, Dyckman, had written informa- 



842 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

tion to that effect"; also that Dyckman had threatened to run him and Rob- 
bert Vastrick through when, on New Year's day 1652, they tried to prevent 
the soldiers from beating the son of Director van Slichtenhorst. In the 
court proceedings, in 1652, the name is spelled Scheulcr and Scheuller, in the 
accounts, after 1655, the usual spellings are Schuijler and Schuyler. 

Willem Jansz Stol (Stoll), cooper; is charged from 1650 to 1652 with 
ground rent of f 16 a year for a lot granted to him in May 20, 1650. He 
married the widow of Claes Hendricksz and moved to the Esopus in 1661. 

Jannitgen Tuenisz [Jannetje Teunis]; sailed by den Coninck David 
and is charged in the accounts of the colony, under date of 1642, with 
fi6:2 for her passage and money in hand paid by patroon. She married 
at the Manhatans Dec. 22, 1641, Dirck Jansz [Croon], from Amsterdam, and 
Nov. 6, 1642, was sued by van der Donck for not fulfilling her contract 
with the patroon. She probably came to the colony with Croon about 1650. 

Gerrit Vastrick; was one of the Gecommitteerden (commissioners) of 
the colony in 1650, and on Aug. 15, 1650, was suspended from his office till 
he had cleared himself of the accusation of having given out a false state- 
ment regarding Domine Wilhelmus Grasmeer. He was at New Amsterdam 
as early as July 16, 1644. 

Jacob Waelingen, from Hoorn [province of North Holland]; was at 
New Amsterdam in Jan. 1639 and may have come to Rensselaerswyck at 
an early date, though his name does not occur till May 12, 1650, when he 
was about to leave the colony. Efforts were made to retain him by offering 
him a choice of several farms, but he declined to take any, stating that he 
had not been able to support his wife and children satisfactorily. Oct. 1, 
1650, he received permission to move to the Manhatans. He obtained a 
patent for land near the Kil van Kol, Oct. 23, 1654, and died before Aug. 
I7> l &$7> when his widow Trijntje Jacobs married Jacob Stoffelsz. 

1651 

Claes Cornelisz; mentioned in 1652 as the servant and brother of 
Gijsbert aende berch [Gijsbert Cornelisz, from Breuckelen]. 

Adriaen Dircksz, van Bil, [from 't Bildt, in Friesland?]. On the com- 
plaint of Thomas Chambers that he refused to stay with him and fulfil 
his contract of March 24, 1651, he was sentenced on Sept. 28, 1651, to two 
weeks' imprisonment and the payment of expenses incurred by Chambers in 
hiring another servant during his absence. At the request of friends, he 
was released on the seventh day on condition that he faithfully perforin 
his service. 

Reyer Elbertsz, from Breuckelen, [in the province of Utrecht] ; appears 
with his wife Marritje Baerentsz in the records of the colony under date 
of Sept. 25, 165 1, when they leased a small parcel of land between the 
third and fourth creeks for eight years, at 125 a year, the lease to run 
from Easter 1652. Jan. 25, 1652, the court granted him permission to make 
brick. 

Gillis Fonda; about 1646, Pieter Hartgers advanced some money to 
Gillis, a boy in the service of Antony de liooges, possibly Gillis Fonda ; 
Oct. 19, 1651, the court gave Gillis Fonda permission to distil liquor in't 
greenen bos (Grecnbush), in a house belonging to Evert Pels, next to the 
brewery, on condition that he enter into a contract as to the Gercchtichcijt 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 843 

vande Heeren M rs . (dues to the patroon and codirectors). Gillis Fonda is at 
a later period commonly referred to as Gillis Douwes Fonda. To judge 
from his name, he must have been a Frisian. 

Albert Gerritsz, carpenter; was at his request granted a lot north of 
the house of Laurens Jansz, Nov. 7, 1651, the rent to begin at Easter 1652. 
Casper Jacobsz; obtained a lease of a hofstede (house lot), in 1651. 
He was apparently a day laborer. 

Adriaen Jansz, schoolmaster; appears first under date of Nov. 23, 1651, 
when (he court, upon his petititon, granted him f50 towards the payment 
of his house rent. He came probably soon after Sept. 9, 1650, when the 
council of the colony, in response to a petition from the inhabitants for a 
competent schoolmaster, appointed Arent van Curler and Goossen Gerritsz 
trustees of a fund to be raised for the building of a school. He was still 
schoolmaster in Beverwyck in 1657, and may have been the same person 
as Adriaen Jansz Croon, who Aug. 20, 1660, was about to sail for Holland. 
Claes Jansz, from Bockhoven, [near Bois-le-Duc, province of North 
Brabant] ; also referred to as Claes de Bracbander. In 1651 and 1652 he 
was summoned before the court for having, out of spite against Director 
van Slichtenhorst, caused his servant to haul wood for Hendrick Wester- 
kamp and Lambert van Valckenburch, contrary to ordinances of Oct. 16, 
J648, Nov. 23, 1651 and Dec. 18, 1651. 

Jacob Simonsz Klomp; appears among those who took the oath of fealty 
to the patroon on Nov. 28, 1651. Feb. 1, 1652, he was granted a lot next to 
that of Steeven Jansz, the rent to begin at Easter 1653. 

Jacob Luyersz (Luijersz); was in the colony before Oct. 19, 1651, being 
ordered on that day to fulfil the terms of his contract with Jochem, the 
baker. March 2, 1652, Claes je, the negro girl of Sander Leendertsz, testi- 
fied that she had delivered some of the goods which she stole from her 
master to Jacob Luyersz, who promised to take her to the Manhatans and 
there get her a husband. 

Adriaen Pietersz, from Alckmaer, [province of North Holland] ; leased 
in 1651 a house, north of Fort Orange, which the authorities of the colony 
and Charles van Bruggen, commis of the fort, had been forced to allow an 
Indian, named den uijl (the owl) alias stickstigeri, to build, and which, 
being- found a nuisance, was bought of said Indian by Mons'r Labatie with 
the consent of the court of Rensselaerswyck, Nov. 28, 1650. 

Jan Baptist (Johan Baptista) van Rensselaer; was in the colony as 
early as June 29, 1651, and Oct. 18, 1651, at the earnest solicitation of the 
court consented to accept the office of Gerechts Persoon (member of the 
court), in place of Rutger Jacobsz, who had asked to be relieved of his 
duties. In the accounts he is credited with an annual salary of fiooo as 
director of .the colony, from July 24, 1652, to Sept. 24, 1658, when he left 
for Holland, and also with f 1083 -.7 for 13 months' salary, from June 29, 
165 1 to July 24, 1652, when van Slichtenhorst was most of the time at the 
Manhatans and van Rensselaer acted as director. 

Hendrick Jansz Reur, from Minister, [Westphalia] ; was appointed 
Gerechts Boode (court messenger), Aug. 18, 1651, at a salary of fioo per 
year, in addition to fees for summonses and arrests. Nov. 14, 1658, he 
complained that his salary was insufficient and the court fixed a rate of 
fees for serving summonses in the various districts of the colony. Feb. 1, 



844 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

1652, he obtained permission to occupy a lot next to Juriaen Teunisz, the 
glazier, the rent to begin at Easter 1653. He died before Feb. 4, 1664, 
tvhen his household effects were sold at auction. 

Captain Slijter (Slijtter); is charged with f r 14 for g l / 2 weeks' board 
Idr himself and his son, at the house of Director van Slichtenhorst, by 
order of the codirectors of the colony, from June 27 to Sept. 2, 1651. 
During this period van Slichtenhorst was at the Manhatans and Capt. 
Slijter appears to have had the management of the colony in conjunction 
with Jan Baptist van Rensselaer. July 30, 1651, Capt. Slijter made an 
agreement with Gijsbert Cornelisz as to the tithes of the farm called de 
Hoogeherch. 

Robbert Vastrick; is first mentioned under date of Jan. 11, 1652, when 
he became bail for Lucas, the hrother in law of Jan Thomasz, and his partner 
Arijen. March 25, 1652, Philip Pietersz Schuyler and Robbert Vastrick testi- 
fied as to Dyckman's threatening to run them through with his rapier when 
on New Year's day 1652 they tried to prevent soldiers from beating the son 
of Director van Slichtenhorst. He left the colony before Sept. 30, 1657. 

Cornells de Vries; his name occurs but once, under date of Sept. 28, 
1 651, when Willem Fredericksz asked that he be summoned before the 
court. He may have been an inhabitant of Fort Orange or a free trader 
and not a colonist. 

Jochem Wesselsz, baker; petitioned, Sept. 28, 1651, for a place in the 
byeenwooninge (village) to support himself by baking and was granted a 
hofsteede op de ku (house lot on [Rutten?] kill) at an annual payment 
of f32 for the right to bake and to trade. Jan. 26, 1652, he was ordered 
to remove within eight days the wood pile and pigsty from the lot of 
Jan van Hoesen and to refrain from molesting him or his family. 

1652 

Jan Bastiaensz van Gutsenhoven; the first reference to him in the 
records of the colony is under date of Feb. 8, 1652, when he testified to 
Dyckman's appearance in the patroon's court, accompanied by an armed 
posse. He was apparently engaged in business and in some way seems 
to have been related to Wouter van Twiller, or to the latter's wife, Maria 
Momma. He died in the colony between April 3/13, 1666 and July 6/16, 1667. 

Gideon Schaets; was engaged as minister of the colony of Rcnsselaers- 
wyck, May 8, 1652, at an annual salary of f8oo, for the period of three 
years from the date of his arrival in the colony ( O'Callaghan, History of 
New Netherland, 2:567-68). In the accounts he is charged with 1300, which 
Ik- received before his departure at Amsterdam; and credited with one 
year's salary at f8oo, from July 24, 1652, to July 24, 1653; with two years' 
salary at fiooo a year, from July 24, 1653, when it was found that Domine 
Schaets could not well support his swaer huyshouden (expensive house- 
hold) on f8oo; and with two years' salary at fi30O a year and house rent, 
from July 24, 1655, to July 24, 1057, when he became minister of Fort 
Orange and the village of Beverwyck. lie continued as pastor of the 
Dutch church at Alham till his death, Feb. 27, 1694. 

Gerard Swart (Gerret Swardt) ; entered into a contract to serve as 
schout, or prosecuting officer, t<i Rensselaerswyck, at an annual salary of 
1400, April 24, 1052, and succeeded Brant van Slichtenhorst in that capa- 
city, July 24, 1(152. He acted as schout of the colony till 1665, when the 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 845 

courts of Rcnsselaerswyck and Albany were consolidated and he became 
sheriff of Albany. According to his contract, Swart was to proceed to 
the colony with his wife, maid and servant, and to occupy " the house 
in which the former minister [Megapolensis] lived, standing in 't grenen 
bosch." The name of Swart's wife was Anthonia van Ryswyck. 

Juriaen Teunisz, often referred to as Juriaen de Glasemaecker (the glaz- 
ier) ; signs his name Jure Jan titnscii tappen and Jure Jan tunsen van tappen. 
Jan. 25, 1652, the court of Rcnsselaerswyck granted him a lot between 
Gijsbert Cornelisz, the tavern keeper, and the land of Thomas Jansz, the 
rent to begin at Easter 1652. He kept a tavern in 1659. 

Lambert van Valckenburch; reference to him is found in the court 
proceedings of Rcnsselaerswyck under date of March 7, 1652, when Claes 
Jansz, from Bockhoven, is prosecuted for having his helper do som« 
hauling for Lambert van Valckenburch, contrary to the ordinances oi 
Oct. 16, i6_|8, Nov. 23, 1651, and Dec. 18, 1651. Lambert van Valcken- 
burch was at New Amsterdam as early as Jan. 1644 and received a patent 
for land there, Match 16, 1647. I' 1 1652 lie was probably an inhabitanj 
of Fort Orange and not a colonist of Rcnsselaerswyck. 

Pieter Winne (Winnen); also referred to as Pieter de Vlamingh (the 
Fleming) ; charged in the accounts with an annual rent of f275 and tithes 
from stubble time 1652 till May 1, 1655, for a farm, apparently situated 
at Bethlehem, which on April jo. 1655, was taken over by Eldert Gerbertsz 
Cruyf ; also with two years' rent of a sawmill, at fi5o a year; and with 
two years' hire of two horses for the mill at f6o a year. He made a 
will, June 1, 1677 (Notorial Papers, 2:11-13, Albany County clerk's office), 
in which it is stated that he was born in the city of Gent in Vlaenderen 
and his wife, Tannetie Adams, in the city of Leeuwaerden in Vrieslandt. 

1653 
Johan de Hulterp.vas a participant in the colon}' of Rensselaerswyck 
and sailed with his family and a number of free colonists by the Graft, in 
May 1653 (N.Y.ColMss, 11:78). March 7, 1654, he obtained a lease of a 
farm north of the fifth creek, for which lie is charged an annual rent of f275 
for four years, Tn the accounts he is also charged with fgoo for the purchase 
of a tract of land which is not described, but which is probably the land con- 
veyed to his wife by Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, Aug. 24, 1654, upon which 
she seems to have established a farm, a brickyard and a tile kiln, all of 
which were sold by her at auction on Nov. 7, 1655. Johan de Hulter was 
a member of the courl of the colony in April [655 and died before Aug. 
7, 1658. Aug. 5, 1660, his widow Johanna, who was a daughter of Johannes 
de Laet, appears as the wife of Jeronimus Ebbingh. 

1654 
Eldert Gerbertsz Cruyf (Cruijff, Kruyf), from Hilversum, [in Gooiland, 
province of North Holland] ; also referred to as Eldnri de Goijer; is charged 
from 1654 to 1658 with an annual rent of L|oo for [two?] sawmills; from 
May 1, 1655. to May 1, 1658. with an annual rent of f275 for a farm 
formerly occupied by Pieter Winne; and from 1058 to 1671, with an annual 
rent of fioo for a mill, apparently at Bethlehem. Feb. 20, 1659, Jan Direksz, 
from Bremen, conveyed to him his farm at Catskill in exchange for a 



846 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

house in Beverwyck. A brother of Eldert Gerbertsz Cruyf, by name of 
Cornells Gerbertsz Cruyf, was living at Hilversum in 1661. 

Teunis Cornelisz Spitsenberch (Spitsenbergh, Spitsenbergen, Spits- 
bergh, Spitsberghen, van Spitsbergen) ; signs his name Teunis Cornelise 
spitsenberch. He"and Barent Pietersz Koijemans are from Dec. 14, 1654, 
to Dec. 14, 1657, charged with an annual rent of fi5o for a mill on the fifth 
creek, and from Aug. 1, 1657, to Aug. 1, 1658, with fioo for water rights 
of another mill on the same creek which they were authorized to build on 
Aug. 3, 1656. Teunis Cornelisz Spitsenberch appears as a member of the 
court of Rensselaerswyck in 1658, 1660, 1661, and 1664. In 1656 mention 
is made of a Catrijn jans spitbergen, who may have been his wife. 

Jeremias van Rensselaer; sailed from Holland by de Gelderse Blom, 
Aug. 4, 1654; returned to Holland by den Beer, Oct. 28, 1655, and sailed the 
second time from Amsterdam by den Otter, shortly after June 14, 1656. He 
succeeded his brother, Jan Baptist van Rensselaer as director of the colony, 
Sept. 24, 1658, and held that office till his death in 1674. According to his 
own statement in a letter to his mother, he married Maria, daughter of 
Oloff Stevensz van Cortlant, July 12, 1662 ; in the records of the Reformed 
Dutch Church of New York, his marriage is entered under date of April 
27, 1662. 

1655 
Pieter Adriaensz, referred to as Pieter Adriaenss alias Soogemackelyck 

(so easy), and as Pieter Macklick (easy) ; was one of the tavern keepers in 
Rensselaerswyck whom the director general and council in 1656 ordered to 
be arrested and sent to New Amsterdam for refusing to pay the excise. 

Dirck van Hamel; succeeded Antony de Hooges as secretary of the 
colony in Oct. 1655, and served as such till his death on July 2, 1660. June 
6, 1660, Jeremias van Rensselaer writes to his brother Jan Baptist van Rens- 
selaer that van Hamel is unfit for the office of secretary and very fond of 
brandy; that last winter he was for two months unable to attend the meet- 
ings of the council; and that- since the arrival of his wife he has been very 
ill, apparently the result of drinking. His wife was Sophia van Wycker- 
sloot; shortly after van Hamel' s death she married Anthony Toinel. 

1656 

Trijntje Claes; mentioned as a servant girl of Jan Baptist van Rens- 
selaer in 1656. 

Teunis Jacobsz, from Hamersvelt, [near Amersfoort, province of 
Utrecht] ; entered June 14, 1656, into a contract with Jeremias van Rens- 
selaer, at Amsterdam, Holland, to sail by den Otter, and to do farm work 
for the term of four years from the date of his arrival in the colony, at f8o 
a year and board. He is described in the contract as being a bocrc knecht 
(farm laborer) and 20 years of age. 

1657 

Tjerck Claesz; charged in the accounts with f.32 for hire of a horse 
from May 1. 1657, to May 1. 1658. 

Frans Jacobsz Coningh (Koningh) ; charged, May t. 1658, with f24 for 
one year's rent of a garden which lie took over from Adriaen Jansz Appel 



VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 847 

FORMER DUTCH COINS, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 
AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS 

Coins 

duit 84 ( l A stuiver) $ 0025 

stuiver 02 

schelling (6 stuivers) I2 

gulden ) , . 

n , (. (20 stuivers) 40 

Carolus gulden \ H 

goud gulden ( 1 2/5 guldens) 56 

daelder (i 1 /, guldens) 60 

rijksdaelder (2 l / 2 guldens) .*.... 1.00 

ducaton (3 guldens, 3 stuivers) 1.26 

pond Vlaamsch (6 guldens) 2.40 

Weights 

Amsterdam ons 1.085 ounces (avoirdupois) 

Amsterdam pond (16 onsen) 1 pound, 1.36 ounces (avoirdupois) 

Linear measures 

Rhineland duim 1 . 03 inches 

Rhineland voe't (12 duimen) 12.36 inches 

Rhineland roede (12 voeten) 12.36 feet 

Amsterdam duim 1.013 inches 

Amsterdam voet (n duimen) 11. 143 inches 

Amsterdam roede (13 voeten) 12.071 feet 

, 1/20 degree 

uur gaands / I ,. , M 

... y < 3 nautical miles 

ZCemijl » ( 18,261 feet 

/ 1/15 degree 

geographischc mijl J 4.61 1 statute miles 

( 24,348 feet 

Square measures 

Rhineland morgen (600 square roeden^ 2.103 acres 

Amsterdam morgen (600 square roeden) 2.069 acres 



84 In accounts of Kiliaen van Rsnssjlasr, the duit is sometimss counted at -,V stuiver. 



8 4 8 



NEW YONK STATE LIBRARY 






-( U r-, 11 ■— < 



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mengelen 
gallons 


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VAN RENSSELAER I50WIER MANUSCRIPTS 



849 



Dry measures 



schepel 




WHEAT 

. 764 bushel 


1 


SALT COAL 

. 29 bushels 


zak 




3 schepels 
2 .292 bushels 






mudde (mu 


d) 


4 schepels 
3 .056 bushels 






vat 






4 

5- 


schepels 
16 bushels 


last 




36 zakken 
2 7 mudden 
82 . 512 bushels 






smalton 




Ya last 
6 .876 bushels 






honderd 






704. 


32 bushels 


hoed (hoet) 




ship's last 
vim (vinne) 




33-35 bushels 

3.71 cubic yards 
100 . 17 cubic feet 
2+ tons burden 

104 to 10S sheaves 



INDEX 

Abelsen, Hendrick, 800 

Abogardy, Hermanus Minardi, see Bogaert, Harmen Meyndertsz van den 

Account of the jurisdictions, management and condition of the territories 
named Rensselaerswyck, 306-12 

Accounts, instructions to patroon's representative concerning, 462; time of 
settling, 668, 689; failure of farmers to render, 687; final settlement in 
Holland, 689; outstanding, proper remedy against abuse of, 707-14. See 
also names of individuals 

Achter Col, colony of, 527 

Achttienhoven, see Pauw, Michiel 

Adam en Eve (ship), 339 

Adams, Tannetie, 845 

Adriaensz (Aertsz, Arentsz), Gijsbert, from Bunnick, 395, 397, 398, 835; 
biographical notice, 817 

Adriaensz, Jacob, from Hilversum, 695, 821, 840; biographical notice, 831 

Adriaensz, Jacob, from Utrecht, see Aertsz, Jacob, from Utrecht 

Adriaensz (Ariaens), Marinus, from Veere, sent to Rensselaerswyck as 
tobacco planter, 57, 309; can not raise tobacco, 59, 282; appointed schepen, 
63, 202-3 ; black hat with silver band presented to, 65, 205 ; agreement with 
Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 176-79, 293, 296, 674-75; house of, 178, 309; agree- 
ment with Jasper Ferlyn, 179-80; request for transportation of, 184, 185; 
sails for New Netherland in ship de Eendracht, 190; Rutger Morris to 
assist, 233 ; biographical notice, 806 

Adriaensz, Pieter, biographical notice, 846 

Adriaensz, Rutger, from Bunnick, 817; biographical notice,* 835 

Adriaensz, Willem, from Elsseneur, accounts, 418 

Aerssen, C, 115, 121, 125, 135 

Aertsz (Aerntsz), Aert, see Otterspoor, Aert 

Aertsz, Brant, sec Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsz van 

Aertsz, Gijsbert, see Adriaensz, Gijsbert 

Aertsz (Adriaensz, Arentsen, Ariaensz, Arisch), Jacob, from Utrecht, 394, 
395> 397. 398, 840 ; biographical notice, 820 

Aertsz, Job, see Arisz, Job 

Agawam, settlement at, 526 

Agent at the Manhatans, colonics may appoint, 151 ; Kieft wants van Rens- 
selaer to appoint, 571 

Agreements, sec Contracts and agreements 

Albany, court consolidated with that of Rensselaerswyck, 30; surveyor, 836; 
pastor of the Dutch church, 844; sheriff, 845. Sec also Beverwyck 

Alberts, Eva, 826 

Alberts, Femmetje, 839 

Albertsz, Albert, sec Elbertsz, Elbert 

Albertsz, Frans, see Altersz, Frans 



852 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Alberts/', Harry (Hcndrick), from London, 609, 611, 813, 820, 827, 835; bio- 
graphical notice, 822 

Albertsz, Storm, see Zee, Storm Albertsz van der 

Alckmaer, 606, 629. See also Pietersz, Adriaen 

Alderwerelt, Jacob van, 795, 798, 799, 800, 801 

Aldrichsz, Jacob, 271, 273 

Allerdinck, Philip, 802 

Altersz (Albertsz, Aldersz), Frans, 836; biographical notice, 816 

Amazon River, colony on, 50, 176 

Amersfoort (Holland), location, 818. See also Dircksz, Jan; Gerritsz, Wol- 
fert; Wolfertsz, Jacob 

Amersfoort (L. I.), 788 

Ammunition for Rensselaers Steyn, 706-7 

Amstelland, 475 

Amsterdam, see Claesz, Gijsbert; Croon, Dirck Jansz; Jansz, Albert; Jansz, 
Jacob; Sandersz, Thomas; Staas, Abraham 

Amsterdam Chamber, sec West India Company 

Andriesz (Bradt, Noorman), Albert, from Frederikstad, contract with van 
Rensselaer, 327, 332, 510, 676-77; greetings to, 351; birth of son, 360; as- 
sistants for, 394, 396, -397, 398; separated from Pieter Cornelisz, 406; letters 
of van Rensselaer to, 409-10, 446-48, 500-1, 506-7; admonition and rebuke 
to, 409, 411, 446, 500-1, 506-7; servant of, 414; unlawful trade with Dirck 
Corsz, 418; letter to alluded to, -142 ; accounts, 485, 508, 509, 558; price of 
tobacco raised by, 661 ; animals of, 663 ; instructions for, 691 ; sawmills, 
742 ; rent for the mill creek and the land, 775 ; mentioned, 402, 407, 455, 
505, 514, 810, 813, 814, 817, 820, 826, 831; biographical notice, 676, 809 

Andriesz (van Driesen), Arent, from Frederikstad, account of sale of to- 
bacco of, 485, 506, 507 ; van Rensselaer proposes to grant tobacco planta- 
tion to, 513; lease of land to, 758-59; mentioned, 831; biographical notice, 
810 

Andriesz, Claes, from Hilversum, 695, 833; sentence of, 731-32; biographical 

notice, 831 
Andriesz (Dries, Driesz), Hendrick, from Doesburch, 609, 731; biographi- 
cal notice, 827 
Andriesz, Jan, from Dublin, 830; biographical notice, 837 
Animals, transportation of, 51, 56, 61, 68, 242, 570; Wolfert Gerritsz to 
direct purchase of, 56, 160, 162; van Rensselaer's agreement with farmers 
concerning, 58, 605; agreement between van Rensselaer and Pauw con- 
cerning, 57, 69, 162, 257, 274; bought from Minuit and Bijlvelt, 60, 61, 71, 
79, 206, 223, 225-29, 274, 275, 309-10; on farm no. 3, Island of Manhattan, 
inventory, 192; agreement with Notehnan regarding, 276, 333; of de Reux 
and Bijlvelt, protest of van Rensselaer to West India Company on account 
of detention of, 290-92, 296, 297, 300; letter to Notclman concerning, 317- 
19; van Rensselaer defrauded by Notehnan, 330; finally sent to Rens- 
selaerswyck, .m; killed by savages, 62, 72, 243, 266, 270, 286, 304; greatesl 
profit from cattle, 63, 199; in the colony of Rcnsselaerswyck, list of, 220- 
2i; van T wilier to buy for patroon, 275; buying by private parlies, 275; 
prices, 275, 605; instructions to Planck regarding, 294, 295, 300; in Rens- 
selaers Burg, 308; in de Laets Burg, 309; to be purchased by Kieft, 42S; 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 853 

to be delivered to van der Donck, 552; sent up the river by Kieft, 569; 
number of, on farms, 606, 740-43 ; farmers refuse to furnish without pay- 
ment, 667; inventory, 668; list of, sent by de Hooges, 669; increase of, 
farmers to give an account* of, 711; inventory of animals sent over by 
Johan Baptist van Rensselaer, 732-40 

Antell, Mr, 804 

Anthonisz, Cornelis, see Schlick, Cornelis Anthonisz van 

Anthdftisz, Jan, 800 

Appeal from judgments of patroon's courts to director and council of New 
Netherland, 149; van Rensselaer denies that contracts restrict right of, 476 

Appel, Adriaen Jansz, see Jansz, Adriaen, from Leyden 

Appel, Jan Louwrensz, see Louwrensz, Jan 

Arentsz (Aerntsz), Aert, see Otterspoor, Aert 

Arentsz, Brant, see Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsz van 

Arentsz, Gijsbert, see Adriaensz, Gijsbert 

Arentsz, Jacob, see Aertsz, Jacob 

Arisz, Job, 555 

Arnhem, Jonkheer Gerrit van, letter to alluded to, 80, 81 ; letters of van 
Rensselaer to, 424^-25, 463-65, 524-27; mentioned, 282, 466 

Backer, Claes, 718, 721 
Backer, Willem Jorisz, 744 
Backholt, Sara Maria, 38 
Radius, Dcmine, 268, 269, 287 
Baeden (Badens, Baden), see Vos, Hans 
Baeilly, Dyonys, 797 
Barbados Island, 50, 166, 171, 174 

Barents (Baernts), Annetje, from Rolmers, 360, 809, 810 
Barents, Gijsje, see Berents, Gijsje 
Barents (Baerentsz), Marritje, 842 
Barentsz, Jan, see Wemp, Jan Barentsz 
Barentsz, "Thijs, 456; biographical notice, 810 
Barij, see Labatie 

Barlt, location, 609, 827. See also Carstensz, Johan; Helms, Jan 
Barnegat ( Baernde gat) inlet, 374, 379, 382, 602 
Barren Island, see Beeren Tsland 

Barsingerhorn ( Barsingerwout), location, 818. See also Cornelisz, Adriaen 
Bartells, Eva, 270 

Bartolotti ( Bartelotty), Guiliam, 59, 270 
Bartrinck, 66, 270 

Bastiaensz, Harmen, 821, 84O; biographical notice, 836 
Bastiaensz, Jan, 580, 672 

Bastiaensz, see also Gutsenhoven, Jan Bastiaensz van 
Bears Island, see Beeren Island 
Beaumont, Anna van, 38 
Beeldsnyder, Susanna Catherina, 38 
Beemster, 6^ 311 

Beeren Island, x^- 34 3*>. '81, 182, 198, 207, 306, 376, 680. See also Rens- 
selaers Steyn 



854 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Bellechere (Belechier, Bellechier), 480, 483, 518, 519 

Berbice (Brebice), registration of colony in, 50, 176 

Berch, Gijsbert aen den, 837. See also Cornelisz, Gilbert, from Breuckelen 

Berck, Mr, 482 

Berents (Barents), Gijsje, biographical notice, 822 

Beresteyn, Jonkvrouwe van, 37, 39, 41 

Bergen (Holland), location, 828 

Bergen (N. J.), 788 

Berghoorn, see Barsingerhorn 

Bessels, Adam, share in colony of Rensselaerswyck, 55, 175, 334; wishes 
slate hill named Bessels Burg, 397 ; receipt for, 552 ; sick, 674 ; widow of, 
725; mentioned, 545, 546, 553, 606, 670, 671 

Bessels, Gerret, 797 

Bessels Burg, farm, 78; slate hill to be so named, 397 

Bestval (Bestvael, Weestmael), Juriaen, from Luyderdorp, sails on den 
Houttuyn, 609; animals on farm of, 734, 739; different forms of name, 
734 ; farm, 741 ; biographical notice, 827 

Bethlehem, purchase of land at, 167; farms at, 741, 772, 810, 819, 824, 825, 
827, 832, 837, S45 ; lease of water power of mills opposite, 770 ; renewal 
of lease of island opposite to Jan Reyersz, 771-72; adjustment of fire 
losses on farm of Aert Jacobsz, 774-75 ; mills at, 816, 825, 845 

Betuwe, 63, 311 

Beusekom, van, family, 39 

Bever, de (yacht), 62, 243, 304 

Bevers Kill, 611, 742 

Beverwyck, first formal court established, 30, 723; lease of land opposite, 
758-59, 810; delegates from to convention at New Amsterdam, 784, 785; 
houses in, 832, 836, 840, 846; schoolmaster, 843. Sec also Albany 

Bicker, Cornelis, 59, 270 

Bier Craaker, Marten de, 821. See also Hendricksz, Marten 

Bijlaer (Bijler), Hillegond van, 36, 45 

Bijlaer (Bijler), Wolfert van, 43, 44; marriages, 45 

Bijlaer (Bylaer), Wynnant van, 408 

Bijlaers Dael (Bylersdal), 36; farms in, 202, 203, 547, 55°; grapevines to be 
planted in, 551 

Bijlvelt (Bijleuelts), Gertruijt, 301 

Bijlvelt (Bijleveldt, Bylevelt), Pieter Pietersz, animals bought of, 60, 206. 
221, 230, 232, 255, 274, 275, 278, 279, 280, 295, 296, 309, 317, 662; detention 
of animals and implements transferred to van Rensselaer, ~i ; protest of 
van Renssselaer to West India Company on account of detention of ani- 
mals of, 290-92, 296, 297 ; bill of sale of animals on farm no. 3, Island of 
Manhattan, 225, 227; promissory note of Kiliaen van Rensselaer to, for 
animals and implements on farm no. 3 with receipts, 226-29; farm, 61, 
213, 276, 293, 294; inventory of animals on farm of, 192-93; autograph 
facing 226; signs certificate of purchase of land, 168, 183; foreman of, 222, 
232; ejected from farm, 231; letter to the copartners of the colony of 
Rensselaerswyck, 234; ordered home, 290, 291, 295; arbitration of accounts 
with van Rensselaer, 301; contract with alluded to, 662; Teunis Dircksz 
van Vechten on farm of, 819; mentioned, 304, 662 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 855 

Bil, see Dircksz, Adriaen 

Bilt, Adriaen Teunisz van der, biographical notice, 822 

Bilt, Sijmon Walingen vant, see Walichsz, Symon 

Binck, Arent van den, 801 

Bischop, Evert Evertsz, 836 

Bisschop, Cornelis, 420 

Black, Capt., 795 

Blacksmiths, 78, .354 

Blancke Ael, 814 

Blaricum, location, 808. See also Gijsbertsz, Lubbert 

Blauwpodt, Claes Gerretdtsen, 801 

Bloem, Louweris de, 717, 721 

Blommaert (Bloemaert, Blomaert, Blomart), Samuel, notice" of intention 
to send two persons to New Netherland to inspectrhe country, 50,' 154; 
registration of a colony on the Fresh River, 50, 157, 284; registration of a 
colony on the Island of St Martin or on Barbados, 50, 166; colony under 
the management of not started, 55, 175 ; share in Rensselaerswyck, 55, 165, 
175, 201, 334; agreement between patroons, 55, 171-75, 540; disagreement 
with van Rensselaer, 83 ; share in certain colonies, 164, 165 ; region con- 
trolled by as patroon, 174; letter from alluded to, 285; accounts with, 335, 
427, 516; sick, 674; letter to Burgh, 724; resolution of the States General 
on the petition of, 725, 726, 730; reply to the States General, 726-28, 729; 
autograph, 728, facing 556; mentioned, 273, 333, 516, 521, 523, 529, 544, 545, 
546, 552, 556, 670 

Blommaerts Burg, 61, 193, 198, 203, 210, 307, 310, 435, 675 ; men on farm, 222 

Blommaerts Islands, 198 

Blommaerts Kill, 36, 193, 198, 676, 808 

Blommaert's Point, 374, 383 

Blommaerts River, 50, 157. Sec also Fresh River 

Blommendael, farm, 742 

Bloom, Lauweris de, see Bloem, Louweris de 

Bock, Jan de, 827. See also Helmsz, Jan 

Bockhoven, see Jansz, Claes 

Boer, Pieter Jansz de, 838. See also Jansz, Pieter, from Hoorn 

Bogaert, Harmen Meyndertsz van den, 417, 723 

Bogardus, Everardus, quarrels with van Twiller, 77; married to Annetje 
Jans, 352, 834; slandered by Dincklage, 352; requested to go to Rens- 
selaerswyck and Fort Orange, 404, 431; goes to Rensselaerswyck, 423; 
wishes to keep Lucas Smit, 615, 648; mentioned, 269, 287, 826 

Bogardus, Willem, 793 

Boldewyn, uncle of van Curler, 508, 658 

Bollcs. Catharina, 45 « 

Boocharde (Booghardij), Harmannus A., see Bogaert, Harmen Meyndertsz 
van den 

Boon, Franqois, 779, 781, 833, 834 

Bornstra, Geertruy, 75 

Borrelingen (Borlingen), Joris, biographical notice, 829 

Borsedt, Pieter, 798 

Borsum (Borsem), Egbert van, 715, 719, 720, 793 



856 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Bos, Cornells Theunisz, see Teunisz, Cornells, from Wcstbroeck 
Bosch, Arent Dircksz, 744, 745; autograph, facing 744 
Boston (Baston), 786 

Boston Island, 759 

Boswyck, 788 

Botgreve, 300 

Bouckhorst, N. van, 135 

Boudewyns, Sr, 516 

Bont, Jan Evertsz, 282, 658 

Bout, Willem Fredericks?, see Fredcrieksz, Willem 

Bouwessz, Minne, 213 

Bowier, Jonkheer Jan, 38 

Bowicr family, founded in Holland by Ralph Bowyer, 39. See also Rens- 
selaer Bowier 

Bowyer, Ralph, 39 

Bra, Tsaac de, 792 

Braconie, Aeltje, 827 

Bradt, Albert Andriesz, 360, 676. See also Andriesz, Albert 

Braebander, Claes de, 843. See also Jansz, Claes, from Bockhoven 

Brandaris (Brandarys, Brantaris. Brant Arys) (ship), 575, 577, 578, 621 

Brandy, distilling of, 67, 200, 211, 219, 253, 267, 282; sale of, 283. See also 
Liquors 

Brants, Geert, 806 

Brants, Gerritje, 806; biographical notice, 822 

Brants, Lysbeth, 806; biographical notice, 822 

Brazil, subdued, 78; Johan Maurits appointed as governor of, 339; trade to, 
401 ; victory for the Company in, 484. See also Aldrichsz, Jacob ; Rasiere, 
Isaac de 

Brebice, see Berbice 

Breda, location, 824. See also Donck, Adriaen van der ; Jansz, Claes ; Ver- 
beeck, Jan 

Bredenbent, Wilhelm, 827 

Breen, see Broen 

Breestede, see Jans, Trijntjc 

Bremen, see Dircksz, Jan 

Breuckelcn, Cornells Teunisz van, see Schlick, Cornelis Anthonisz van 

Breuckelen (Holland), location, 800. See also Cornelisz, Claes; Cornelisz, 
Gijsbert; Elbertsz, Reyer 

Breuckelen (L. I.), 788 

I ''lew kettles, 200, 211, 299 

Brewery, 200, 21 r, 219, 25^, 282, 406, 407, 4,13, 6^7, 653, 679, 812, 819, 8^4, 

835 
Brickkiln, 160, 207, 283, 612, 829. 
Brickmakers, 573, 606, 637, 658 
Bridges, Charles, see Brugge, Carel van 
Briggom (Brigham), Richard, biographical notice, 835 
Brimmer, see Brumer 
Broech, Frederick, 801 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 857 

Broeckhuysen, Maurits Jansz van, letter from alluded to, 347; letters of van 
Rensselaer to, 408-9, 503-4; to be head farmer, 412; farm of, 412; animals 
belonging to, 412, 668; permit to settle as farmer on de Laets Burg, 437-38, 
440; commission for, 453; messages to, from van Rensselaer, 456; condi- 
tions of lease alluded to, 478, 488, 489, 400, 491, 492, 493, 495; to advise 
van Curler, 490; farm must pay tithes, 498; rebuke to, 503-4; is in Holland, 
606; must accept van Rensselaer's terms or serve out his bounden time, 
611; disputes with van Rensselaer, 631; mentioned, 487, 5C9, 514, 515, 631, 
652, 665, 818; biographical notice, 810 

Broen, Hcndrik, 59, 166, 270 

Bronck, Jonas, 817, 840 

Bronck, Pieter, biographical notice, 840 

Brongers (Brougers), Tyaert, 289, 418 

Brouwer, Jacob de, biographical notice, 839 

Brouwcr, Jan Janssen, 170, 272; signs certificate of purchase of land, 168 

Brugge, Carel van, 813, 843 

Brugh, Johannes Pietersz van, letter from delegates to convention at New 
Amsterdam to, 785 86; entrusted with delivery of remonstrance of Novem- 
ber 2, 1663, 787; list of papers sent to. 7$H\ letter of burgomasters and 
schepens of New Amsterdam to, 789 

Bruigh, Trijn Janse, 346 

Bruijn, Fransoijs Jacobsen de, 839 

Bruijn, Thomas, 717 

Bruijningh, J., 157, 164, 674, 699 

Brumer, Jan Dircksen, 678 

Brunsteyn, Claes, from Straelsundt, agreement with Marinus Adriaensz, 
180-81; request to send to colony, 189; enrolled on ship de Kcndracht, 190; 
biographical notice, 806 

Brunswijck, see Teunisz, Pieter 

Bruyne, Anna Cornelia de, 38 

ISruynneel, Cornells, 800 

Bulsinck, A rent, 801 

Bunnick, location, 807. Sec also Adriaensz, (iijsbcrt; Adriaensz, Rutger; 
Fredericks/, llendrick; Jansz, Thomas 

Burgh, Albert Coenraets (Coenradj, Coenradts, Coenradus, Coenraetsz, Con- 
raets), registration of colony on east side of the South Bay, 50, 156; 
of colony on the Island of St Vincent, 50, 156; colony sold to the West 
India Company, 55, 175; agreement between palroons, 55, 1 7 r— 75, 540; 
term as director expires, 64; van Rensselaer offers share in colony to, 
65, 321, 334; resumes seat in West India Company, 66, 270; shares in 
certain colonies, 164, 165; region controlled by as patroon, 174; share in 
colony of Rcnsselacrswyck, 165, 174, 175; advises van Rcnssselaer, 267; 
takes van Twiller's part, 267; complains of van Twillcr, 272; promises 
Duyster to make settlement concerning furs, 273; instructions to be issued 
through efforts of, 282; understanding of patroonship, 521 ; unwilling to 
accept certain articles regarding patroonship, 532; letter of de Laet and 
Blommaert to, 724; reply to de Laet and Blommaert, 724-25; mentioned, 
60, 268, 270, 274, 312, 321, 464, 482, 529, 567 



858 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Burgomasters of New Amsterdam, petition to director and council of New 
Netherland, 784-85; letter to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes 
Pietersz van Brugh, 789 

Buyrmalsen (Buurmalsem), location, 807. See also Maesen, Cornelis 

Buytenhuys, Geertruy, 38 

Bykerck, Cornelis, 801 

Bykerck, Jan, 801 

Bylaer, see Bijlaer 

Bylersdal, see Bijlaers Dael 

Bylvelt, see Bijlvelt 

Cajana, see Cayenne 

Calff, see Kalf 

Calmer Sleutel, de (ship), 389, 390, 400, 403, 411, 558, 709; colonists sailing in, 
395, 817 

Cambre, see Chambers 

Camp, Hendricsz op de, 191 

Campen (dampen), location, 816. See also Gardenier, Jacob Jansz 

Canada, conditions of trade, 407 ; van Rensselaer wishes to divert fur trade 
from, 553 

Cape Henlopen (Hinlooep), 373, 380 

Cape May (Maeij), 380 

Capiteijn (Capeteijn), 819, 820. See also Juriaensz, Willem; Stevensz, Abra- 
ham 

Carpenters, to be sent over, 283 ; contract with, 332 ; work in winter, 565 ; 
farmers employ outside carpenters at high wages, 560, 571 ; from Leyden, 
654. See also Houses 

Carstensz (Christensz, Cristensen), Carsten, Noorman, 442, 820; biographi- 
cal notice, 810 

Carstensz (Karstenssen, Kerstenssen), Hendrick, from Norden, to sail in 
de Eendracht, 263; engagement as farm laborer, 288; sent to colony, 311; 
instructions for, 329; biographical notice, 808 

Carstensz, Johan, from Barlt, 609; biographical notice, 827 

Carstensz, see also Chrislensz 

Casembroot, Jan de, 525 

Casembroot, Jan Leonard van, 525 

Casembroot, widow of Jan Leonard van, 525; memorandum of matters to 
bring to the attention of Secretary Musch, 466-67 

Castle Island, grain raised on, 63 ; farms on, 63, 210, 214, 260, 286, 307, 308, 
489, 742, 808, 814, 824, 833 ; included in purchase, 167, 307 ; named West 
Island, 108; Wolfert Gerritsz to settle on, 280; Planck to settle on, 294; 
included in tract called Petanock, 307; farm at, van der Donck to settle on, 
635, 660, 666; extent, 636; lease of farm west of the creek of, 775-77; 
lease of to Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout, 777-79. See also Godyns 
Burg; Rensselaers Burg; Welys Burg 

Cat (ship), 274 

Catskill, 376; purchase, of land at, 167; first patentee, 256, 809; farms at, 
739, 740, 832, 837, 839, 845 

Cattle, see Animals 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 859 

Cayenne (Cajana), registration of colony in, 50, 176 

Certificate of purchase from Indians of land from Smacks Island to 
Moenemin's Castle, Aug. 13, 1630, 166-69 

Certificate of purchase from the Indians of land on the west side of the 
Hudson River between Beeren Island and Smacks Island, May, 1631, 181-83 

Chambers, Thomas, animals on farm of, 739; farm, 740, 831; lease of farm 
occupied by, 755-57; house built by, 834; animals killed by Indians, 837, 
839; mentioned, 825, 836, 842; biographical notice, 835 8l3. 

Chambers of West India Company, see West India Company, charter 

Charcoal burner, 637 

Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, see Freedoms and Exemptions 

Charter of West India Company, see West India Company, charter 

Chierts, see Tyaerts 

Christensz (Cristensen, Kristensen), Andries, from Flecker, agreement with 
van Rensselaer, 186-89, 675; request to send to colony, 189; enrolled 
on ship de Eendracht, 190; payment to, 191; ran away, 285; biographical 
notice, 806 

Christensz, Christen, see Carstensz, Carsten 

Church at Rensselaerswyck, Brant Peelen to take charge of services, 63, 
208; proposed building, 82, 414, 454, 459, 551, 561, 662; Planck to conduct 
services, 251; location, 454, 459, 662; model sent by van Rensselaer, 454, 
459> 50S» 662; houses to be built near, 455, 611, 619; Jan Cornelisz to 
build, 505, 821; non attendance at, penalties for, 694; patroon's storehouse 
near Fort Orange adapted to, 828, 829 

Church at the Manhatans, contributions of grain for, 650 

Ciccanames, sec Sickenames 

Claes, Aeltje, 806 

Claes, Trijntje, biographical notice, 846 

Claesz, Claes, from Vlecker, 222, 282, 308; biographical notice, 805 

Claesz, Gijsbert, from Amsterdam, biographical notice, 8io- 

Claesz (Claessen), Jan, second mate of het Wapen van Noorwegen, 420 

Claesz (Claesen), Jan, draper at Coedijck, 629 

Claesz (Claessen), Jan, trader at the Manhatans, 718, 720. See also Damen, 
[Jan] Claesen 

Claesz (Claasen), Luycas, 800 

Claesz (Niclaesz), Pieter, from Norden, biographical notice, 810 

Claesz, Sibout, 836 

Claesz, Sybrant, 806 

Claesz, Tjerck, biographical notice, 846 

Claverack, purchase of land at, 167 

Clock, Abraham, biographical notice, 833 

Cloth, manufacture forbidden, 153; purchase of, 672, 673. See also Duffels 

Coat of arms of van Rensselaer family, 35, 42, 43 

Codde, Pieter, 700 

Coedijck, 629. Sec also Megapolensis, Johannes, sr 

Coenraetsz, Albert, see Burgh, Albert Cocnracts 

Coenraetsz, Mattheus, 800 

Coerlant, see Smit, Lucas 

Cccymans, see Koijcmans 



86o NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Coins, 847 

Cole, Lenaert, signs certificates of purchase of land, 169, 183 

Colendonck, 824 

Colonies in New Netherland, registration of, 50, 154^58; first combination 
of and shares each partner is to have in them, 164-65 ; agreement between 
patroons, 171-74; failure of early attempts at colonization, 236; disagree- 
ment between West India Company and van Rensselaer concerning, 236; 
fur trade increased by establishing, 248; Company should admit more, 428 

Colonists, conveyance by the West India Company, 51 ; terms offered to, 
57 _ 58, 178, 188; transported to Rensselaerswyck 1630-32, 58; restrictions 
on, 61; restrictions on fur trade deter, JJ ; at the Manhatans, return to 
fatherland after expiration of six years' contract. 79; van Rensselaer's 
care of spiritual welfare of, 82, 208, 251, 404, 415, 418, 419, 547, 569, 605-8, 
618-19, 621, 622, 645, 647; measures against cheating of, 160, 411, 415-18, 
431, 441, 445, 450-52, 482, 487-88, 490-500, 500-15, 559-6o, 612, 616, 620, 
33 - 35. 637, 648, 663-68, 682-99, 707-14; mutual disputes, 170; memoranda 
of payments to, 191-92; must not trade with strangers and private traders, 
441; indebtedness, 564; sent by van Rensselaer, who marry and stay at 
the Manhatans. 614, 624, 654, 669; ingratitude toward van Rensselaer, 
616; list of, 805-46. Sec also Contracts and agreements; Farmers; 
Mechanics ; Freedoms and Exemptions ; Patroons 

Commis, use of term, 27; at Rensselaerswyck, Jacob Planck, 67, 332; Arent 
van Curler, 435, 460, 481, 690; at the North, Dirck Cornelisz Duyster, 219; 
of fur trade of Rensselaerswyck, Pieter Bijlvelt's petition, 234; sent to 
Swanendacl, 246; trade with the English, 407; trade to be carried on 
with, 418, 479, 482, 501, 549; strangers and private traders must trade 
with, 441; colonists who need goods to notify, 462; furs to lie delivered 
to, 463; unwise to grant farm to, 488; accounts with director. 622; at 
Rensselaers Steyn, Nicolaes Coorn, 680; patroon's accounts, 713. See also 
Coorn, Nicolaes ; Curler, Arent van ; Planck, Jacob Albertsz 

Commis at Fort Orange, Albert Dieterinck, 34; Dirk Cornelisz Duyster, 60; 
Mans Jorisz Huntlium, Co, 243; Bastiaen Jansz Krol, 158; power of 
attorney to, to administer oath to Rutger Hendricksz, 205; Rutgcr 
Hendricksz to aid, 208; furs to be delivered to. 209i mines to lie reported 
to, 210; to furnish men for building houses, 210; relations to colony <>f 
Rensselaerswyck, 212; new, appointment, 217; petition to recall Huntlium, 
240; salary, 273; requested to defend van Rensselaer's houses, people 
etc., 298: Marten Gerritsz, 320, 401; does not have power to administer 
justice, 474. See also Brugge, Carel van; Dieterinck, Albert ; Duyster, 
Dirck Cornelisz; Gerritsz, Marten; Hunthum, Hans Jorisz ; Krol, Bastiaen 
Jansz 

Commissioners of Rensselaerswyck, 30, 461, 572, 630, 640, 641 ; powers. 696 

Commissions issued by van Rensselaer, 433, 435, 436, 437, 680; extracts 
from, 699-705 

Compeer, Thomas, see Higgins, Thomas 

Conduit, Hendrick, from Coninghsbergen, farm of, 260; contract with van 
Rensselaer, 260 <>_>, 280, 286, 296; to sail in de F.endracht, 263; engagement 
of farm laborer For, 288; biographical notice, 808 

Coney Island, 374 






INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 86l 

Coninck David, de (ship), 557, 561, 562, 575, 576, 577, 621 ; colonists sailing 
i", 555. 57 2 > 825-26; journal of Antony de Hooges on voyage to New 
Netherland, 580-603 

Coningh, Frans Jacobsz, 839; biographical notice, 846 

Coningh, Thomas, 839 ; biographical notice, 836 

Coninghsbcrgen (Konigsberg), location, 808. See also Conduit, Hendrick 

Connecticut River, sec Fresh River 

Constapel, Andries, sec Herbertsz, Andries 

Contracts and agreements with colonists, 171, 176, 179, 186, 193, 195, 250, 
-54. 255, 257, 258, 260, 332 ; extracts from, 674-80 ; leases and agreements, 
746-83 ; councilors warned not to change without approval, 461 ; van 
Rensselaer's explanation of, 461, 476; van Rensselaer denies that they 
restrict right of appeal to director and council of New Netherland, 476; 
to be given those who accept conditions, 493 ; misconstrued by colonists. 
502; ordinance forbidding people who come to live or hunt in the colony 
from leaving without making a contract, 628 

Convention at New Amsterdam, letter from delegates to, 7S5-86, 787 ; list 
of papers sent to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes Pietersz van 
Brugh in name of delegates, 788 

Convoyen, 95 

Coorn (Coren), Nicolaes, commission to, as commander and commis on 
Rensselaers Stcyn, 680-82, 704; succeeds van der Donck, 30, 824; notice 
to be served on private traders by, 697, 705; mentioned, 684, 685, 690, 812; 
biographical notice, 831 

Coornhart, B., letter of Jan Hendricksz van Gunst to, 792-93 ; power of 
attorney to collect money from Aeltje Marchal and others, 793-95 

Coortsen, Dirck, see Stam, Dirck Corssen 

Coppenhagen, sec Laurensz, Laurens 

Coren, notary, 75 

Coren, see also Coorn, Nicolaes 

Corler, see Curler 

Cornelis, Aechtje, 556 

Cornells, Aeltje, 817 

Cornelis, Broer, sec Schlick, Cornelis Anthonisz van 

Cornelis, Divertgen, 311, 808 

Cornelis, Lysbet. 800 

Cornelis, Lysbeth, see Voorhout, Lysbeth Cornelise van 

Cornelis, Saertje, 841 

Cornelis, Stijntje, see Alaesen, Stijntje Cornelis 

Cornelisz, Adriaen, from Barsingerhorn, foreman for Maurits Jansz van 
Broeckhuysen, 408, 412: farm for, 438; permit, 491; conditions of lease of 
farm, 492, 493; fire at farm of, 520, 563; mentioned, 423, 478, 487; bio- 
graphical notice, 818 

Cornelisz, Claes, son of Cornelis Segersz van Voorhout, 734. See also 
Voorhout, Claes Cornelisz van 

Cornelisz, Claes, from Breuckckn, brother of Gijsbcrt Cornelisz, 734, 833; 
biographical notice, 842 

Cornelisz [Swits], Claes, wheelwright at the Manhatans, animals belonging 
to, 206, 4or, 403; contract with, 317; to send ship with cattle, 403; 
mentioned, 2^2, 375 



862 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Cornelisz, Cornells, see Voorhout, Cornells Cornelisz van 

Cornelisz, Cornells, blockmaker, 800 

Cornelisz, Cornells (Vos), from Schoenderwoerdt, 554, 631, 814, 823; bio- 
graphical notice, 822 

Cornelisz (Cornelisen), Creyn, surveyor, probably mistake for Crijn 
Fredericksz, 617 

Cornelisz, Crijn, from Houten, references to in account books, 438; farm, 
438, 489; advised to establish a farm on Castle Island, 489; animals for, 
490, 513; conditions agreed to, 492; accounts, 508; papers sent to colony 
in care of, 515; agrees to price of wheat, 665; mentioned, 823, 824, 837, 
838; biographical notice, 810 

Cornelisz, Dirck, see Duyster, Dirck Cornelisz 

Cornelisz, Gerrit, 181 

Cornelisz, Gijsbert (van den Hoogenberch, or aen den Berch), from 
Breuckelen, struck by Claes Andriesz, 731; brother of, 734; animals on 
farm of, 735, 739 ; farm, 741 ; renewal of lease of farm to, 760-70 ; agree- 
ment as to tithes of farm, 844; biographical notice, 837 

Cornelisz, Gijsbert ( Waert), from Weesp, lease of Castle Island, jjj; garden, 
810; wife, 833; mentioned, 822, 845; biographical notice, 769, 833 

Cornelisz, Hendrick, see Maesen, Hendrick Cornelisz 

Cornelisz, Jan, from Houten, 504; biographical notice, 823 

Cornelisz, Jan, from Leyden, letter of van Rensselaer to, 504-6 ; mentioned, 
444, 501, 561, 565, 661 ; biographical notice, 821 

Cornelisz, Maes, see Maesen, Maes Cornelisz 

Cornelisz, Marten, see Maesen, Marten Cornelisz 

Cornelisz, Marten, from Ysselsteyn, 181 

Cornelisz, Pieter, from Munnickendam, commissioner, 30, 436, 459; instruc- 
tions for, 327, 328, 332, 702; contract with van Rensselaer, 332, 510, 676-yy \ 
contract with van Rensselaer alluded to, 327; appointed councilor and 
schepen, 327; memoranda for, 332; letters of van Rensselaer to, 350-51, 
406-7, 443-45, 497-98; goes up the river in a yacht, 375; parted from 
Albert Andriesz, 409; to build a grist-mill and brewery, 413, 809; accounts 
with, 417, 474, 489, 563, 692; to advise van Curler, 434, 488, 490, 509-10; 
commission as receiver of tithes and supercargo of the vessel, 436-37 ; 
commission for alluded to, 453, 495 ; charges for lumber, 442 ; to furnish 
boards for the church, 454; with others to fill place of officer of justice, 
459; councilor, 461; instructions to concerning farmers, 492; may take 
farm of Cornells Teunisz, 493 ; letter to alluded to, 509 ; blanket for, 
509; authorization concerning tithes, 515; letter from, allusion to, 520; 
message to from van Rensselaer, 561 ; van Rensselaer's resolution regard- 
ing affair of, 615-16; to advise van Rensselaer concerning number of 
farms, 617; subtlety of, 632; disagreements with van Rensselaer, 635, 644; 
dispute with van Rensselaer settled, 660; should be watched, 637; manage- 
ment of sawmill and grist-mill, 638; sawmill, 639; to assist van Curler 
in regard to disputes concerning wheat, 665; son in law, 818; mentioned, 
320, 323, 329. 354, 447, 455, 481, 488, 509, 551, 559, 631, 639, 641, 643. 
814, 816, 821; biographical notice, 811 

Cornelisz, Roelof, from Houten, 438; biographical notice, 811 

Cornelisz, Seger, see Voorhout, Sege/ Cornelisz van 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 863 

Cornelisz, Teunis, see Spitsenberch, Teunis Cornelisz 

Cornelisz, Teunis, see Vechten, Teunis Cornelisz van 

Cornelisz, Tobias, see Maesen, Tobias Cornelisz 

Corssen, Arent, 398 

Corssen, Dirck, see Stam, Dirck Corssen 

Cortakelis, see Tortarolis 

Cortlandt, Maria van, 846 

Cortlandt, Oloff Stevensz van, 433, 621 ; letter of van Rensselaer to, 655-56 

Council of New Netherland, see Director and council of New Netherland 

Council of Rensselaerswyck, members, 63, 205, 327; black hats with silver 
bands presented to, 63, 205; instructions to, 208-12; to consist of seven 
persons, 459; too independent, 487; to consist of three commissioners and 
four associate councilors, 572, 639, 640; van der Donck to give dignity 
to, 632 ; powers, 696. See also Schepens 

Court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck first established, 30, 723 

Court of Rensselaerswyck, record of, 1648-52, 30; consolidated with court 
of Albany, 30; first established, 62, 63; appeals from, 149, 476. See also 
Schepens 

Couwenhoven, location, 161, 805. See also GeKritsz, Wolfert; Wolfertsz, 
Jacob 

Crailo (Craloo), van Rensselaer's estate in Holland, 49, 284, 454, 547 

Cramer, Cornelia Judith, 38 

Crayepoel, Jan van, 801 

Cremyn, see Kettelheym, Jochem 

Crijnen, Cornells, from Houten, biographical notice, 823 

Crijnen, Jan, from Houten, biographical notice, 823 

Cristensen, Cristen, see Carstensz, Carsten 

Croaet, Abraham Stevensz, 819. See also Stevensz, Abraham 

Croix (Croijs), Jeronimus la, see Lacroix, Jeronimus 

Crol, see Krol 

Croon, Adriaen Jansz, 843 

Croon, Dirck Jansz, from Amsterdam, 836, 842; biographical notice, 840 

Cruijer, Merten, 719, 722 

Cruyf, Cornelis Gerbertsz, 846 

Cruyf, Eldert Gerbertsz, from Hilversum, sawmills, 772; lease of farm to, 
772-73, biographical notice, 845 

Cuirsen, Dirck, see Stam, Dirck Corssen 

Culenburgh (Cuylenborch), location, 808. See also Mensen, Marcus 

Curasao, 77, 320, 561, 575, 577, 578 

Curler (Corlaer, Corler), Arent van, from Nykerck, so-called Journal of, 
1634-35, 26, 271; assistant to Planck, 29, 78, 392, 411; commissioner, 30, 
434, 459, 641 ; baptized, 78 ; recommended to Minuit, 390, 395 ; engaged to 
go to Rensselaerswyck, 397, 398; recommended to van Twiller, 402; letters 
of van Rensselaer to, 410, 438-413, 452-56, 485-89, 490, 508-15, 549~52, 
556-65, 572-73, 576-78, 658-68; admonition and rebuke to, 410, 438-39, 
454, 508, 513, 557, 650, 653, 658-60, 664; accounts, 415, 480, 622, 624, 
650, 651, 653, 657, 658, 689; accounts with Albert Andriesz, 500, 506, 507; 
invoice to be sent to, 430; commission to as secretary and bookkeeper of 
Rensselaerswyck, 433~34, 437. 453, 495, 497, 499 J Cornelis Teunisz to 



864 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

assist, 435, 496; provisionally holds office of commis, 435, 460, 481; to 
assist Pieter Cornelisz in his duties, 436; with others to fill place of 
officer of justice, 459; opper-commis, 460; councilor, 461; Kieft to send 
soldiers to, if necessary, 473; grain to be delivered to, 477; payments to 
Kieft, 484; papers sent to, 485; instructions to, 490, 492, 651, 655, 689, 690, 
698, 714; farm for, 493; Pieter Cornelisz to assist, 498; Maurits Jansz 
to assist, 504;. ordinances etc. signed by, 515, 574, 715, 716, 747; furs 
sent by, 549, 576; house for, 551, 563, 646; to register settlers, 610; 
messages from van Rensselaer to, 612, 650; memorandum for, 614; to 
advise van Rensselaer concerning number of farms, 617 ; administrator of 
colony, 618; represents director, 618, 643; Megapolensis to stay with, 619; 
Antony de Hooges assistant to, 620, 704; van der Donck to instruct, 632; 
payments to Labatie, 635 ; collection of money advanced by van Rensselaer, 
648 ; charged with intemperance, 649 ; contributed wheat toward erection 
of church at the Manhatans, 650; supplies Kieft without receiving pay- 
ment, 650, 651; skins due to, 652; debts, 652; to turn over papers to 
de Hooges, 653; extravagance in office, 653; evil rumors concerning, 653; 
grain furnished by, 657; instructions to Kieft concerning, 658; advice to 
de Hooges concerning, 66$; price of wheat fixed by, 689; commis of goods 
employed in the fur trade, 690; security for, 709; furs stolen from house 
of, 715; accounts of ship bet Wapen van Rensselaerswyck apparently 
kept by, 717; animals on farm of, 738, 740; farm, 743; mentioned, 287, 
413, 4M, 432, 438, 446. 448, 477. 483. 500, 501, 502, 50S. 5o6, 515, 571, 
631, 644, 655, 669, 710, 756, 766, 816, 823, 824, 834; biographical notice, 817 

Curler (Coder), Goosscn van, 78 

Curler, Hendrik van, 78 

Curler (Corler), Jacobus van, cousin of Arent van Curler, 78; appointment 
as onder-commis at Fort Orange suggested, 216, 2T9; accounts, 417 

Curler, Joachim van, 78 

Cuttelhuyn, see Kettelheym 

Cuyper, Gen-it Jansen, 824. See also Jansz, Gerrit, from Haerlem 

Dam, van, 804 

Damen, [Jan] Claeseh, 719. See also Claesz, Jan 

Davids, Christoffel, 811, 819, 833, 839; biographical notice, 8ro 

Delaware River, see South River 

Denijs, Sara, 823 

Desens, 806. Sec also Jansz, Barent 

Dieterinck, Albert, surveys of colony by, 33, 2l6, 217, 2rS. 219; commis 

at Fort Orange, 34; summoned home, 215, 217; mentioned, 40.2 
Dijck (Dyck), Gijsbert op den, 316, 392, 397, 578, 621 
Dijck (Dyck), Hendrick van, 472, 473, 487, 497, 795 
Dijckman (Dyckman), Johannes, [58, 822, 835, 836, 841, 844 
Dincklage (Dincklagen, Dinxlaecken), Lubbert van, fiscal and officer, 7-'- 

van Rensselaer wishes him to take farm, 72, 297; strife with van Twiller 

and Bogardus, 77, 320, 352, 465; sails to New Netherland, 207; complaints 

about salary, 325; mentioned, 268, 623 
Dircksz, Adriaen, from I'.il, 838; biographical notice, S42 
Dircksz, Adriaen, skipper of den I louttuyn, 609 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 865 

Dircksz, Barent, seed inspected by, 193 

Dircksz, Cornelis, father of Dirck Cornelisz Duyster, 700 

Dircksz, Cornelis, van Vechten, see Vechten, Cornelis Dircksz van 

Dircksz, Jan, from Amersfoort, biographical notice, 818 

Dircksz, Jan, from Bremen, commission to, as skipper of colony's yacht 
Rensselaerswyck, 680-82, 704; animals on farm of, 739, 740; farm of, 772; 
mentioned, 684, 820, 825, 827, 831, 837, 838, 839, 845; biographical notice, 
832 

Dircksz, Siewert, 790 

Dircksz, Tennis, see Vechten, Teunis Dircksz van 

Director and council of New Netherland, letter of van Rensselaer to, 
2 97~99; ordinance prohibiting sale of firearms to Indians and requiring 
vessels sailing to or from Fort Orange, the South River or Fort Hope 
to obtain a permit, 426; petition to, 784-85 

Diterinck, Albert, see Dieterinck, Albert 

Does, Simon van der, 59, 157, 270 

Doesburch, location, 827. See also Andricsz, Hendrick; Dries, Geertruyt 

Dojesz, see Doysz 

Dolfyn, de (ship), 485 

Dominees Hoeck, 819-20 

Dommelaer, 836. See also Schut, Jan Willemsz 

Dompselaer, 284 

Donck, member of States General, 282 

Donck, Adriaen van der, from Breda, acted in capacity of schout till 1646, 
30; succeeded by Nicolaes Coorn, 30; van Rensselaer makes inquiries con- 
cerning character of, 524; van Rensselaer proposes to send to New 
Netherland, 527; consulted by van Rensselaer, 534; letters of van Rens- 
selaer to, 547, 571-72, 630-44; recommended to van Curler, 549; recom- 
mended to Kieft, 549; animals to be delivered to, 552; sailed on den 
Eyckenboom, 556, 577; to advise van Curler, 557, 610; duties, 558; memo- 
randum for, 560; instructions for, 572,^5, 692, 703; ordinance regulating- 
fur trade, 573-74 ; case for, 614 ; to 'serve notice on persons remaining 
at the Manhatans, 614; location of 'residence, 616, 617, 631, 643; repre- 
sents chief officer, 618, 619; admonition and rebuke to, 631-32, 636, 637, 
642-44 ; assistant for, 641 ; criticises van Rensselaer's administration, 642 ; 
ambitious for directorship, 644; van Rensselaer's opinion of, 649, 650; 
farm, 660, 666, 777 ; statement on investments in merchandise, 663 ; com- 
missioners must examine his propositions, 664; to assist van Curler in 
regard to disputes concerning wheat, 665 ; van Curler to report to van 
Rensselaer on behavior of, 666; threatened, 666; advised to bring action 
against Willem Juriaensz, 667; settlement of accounts, 668; to render 
accounts to van Curler, 690; commission for, 703; mentioned, 543, 550, 
55i, 559, S63, 5/8, 612, 651, 665, 666, 669, 714, 812, 827, 830, 831, 833, 
834, 842 ; biographical notice, 824 

Donck, Cornelis van der, letters of van Rensselaer to, 554-55, 573, 574—75, 
603, 608 ; mentioned, 824 

Donckesz, Catalijn, 439, 821 

Doom, location, 827. See also Lambertsz, Cornelis 

Doose, Hendrick, 202, 203 

55 



866 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Dorlandt, Jacob Lambertsz van, 695, 831, 832, 838, 841; biographical notice, 
832 

Doughty, Francis, 824 

Douw, Volckert Jansz, see Hansz, Volckert 

Downs, victory at the, 484 

Doysz, Egbert, biographical notice, 839 

Dries, Geertruyt, 609, 822 

Dries (Driesz), Hendrick, see Andriesz, Hendrick 

Driesen, van, see Andriesz, Arent 

Drunkenness, fines for, 694 

Duffels, 336, 410, 411, 417, 446, 467, 468, 471, 520, 524, 543, 545, 552, 554, 
576, 614, 633, 671, 673, 723 ; price of, 563, 670 

Dusart, Isaak, 38 

Duties, West India Company exempt from, 95 ; to be paid to West India 
Company, 145, 147, 149; on furs, 147, 443, 458, 564, 611, 651, 659; van 
Rensselaer refuses to pay to the Company, 622 

Duval, Judith Henrietta, 38 

Duycker, Evert, 719, 722 

Duyster (Duijster, Duuster), Dirck Cornelisz, to assist Krol in purchase 
of land for van Rensselaer, 54, 158, 700; succeeded as commis by Hunthum, 
60; certifies to purchase of land, 181, 183; recommended to superintend 
men during van Twiller's absence, 206; letter from van Rensselaer, 215-17; 
appointment as onder-commis, 217; suggested that he exchange places 
with Jacobus van Coder, 216, 219; salary, 273; requests settlement con- 
cerning furs, 273; proposed as commis, 316; drowned, 329; mentioned, 
23, 58, 269, 270; biographical notice, 700 

Duyster, Lijsbeth Cornells, 700 

Duyster, Willem, 700 

Dyck, see Dijck 

Ebbingh, Jeronimus, 845 

Edam, location, 809. See also Jansz, Dirck; Michielsz, Jan; Planck, 

Abraham Jacobsz ; Planck, Jacob Albertsz ; Thijmensz, Reynier 
Education, patroons and colonists to provide for support of schoolmaster, 

51, 151; building to be used for a school, 663; trustees of fund for 

building, 811-12; schoolmasters, 838, 843 
Eeckhoorntje, 't (ship), 196, 197, 285 
Eelkens, Hendrik, 69 
Eelkens, Jacob, 69, 72, 302, 303 
Eemland, 62 
Eencluys, Hans Jansz, from Rotterdam, lease of water power to, 754-55; 

mentioned, 8ll, 840; biographical notice, 825 
Eendracht, de (ship), 67, 73, 189, 266, 288, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322; 

names of colonists sailing in, 190, 263, 805, 806-7, 808-9 
Egmont, location, 679, 833. See also Voorhout, Cornells Segersz van 
Eincklaen, J., 556, 567; autograph, facing 556 
Elbertsz (Albertsz), Elbert, from Nykerck, 395, 397, 398; biographical 

notice, 817 
Elbertsz, Reyer, from Breuckelen, biographical notice, 842 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 867 

Elbinck (ship), bill of lading for furs shipped in, 743-44 

Eliyas, 797 

Ellertsz (Elbertsen), Lucas, biographical notice, 830 

Elsseneur (Helsingor), see Adriaensz, Willem 

Emden, refuge during Spanish persecutions, 288 

Engel Gabriel, de (ship), 453, 456, 485, 486, 510, 566, 576, 577 

English, encroachments on Fresh River and elsewhere, 69, 79, 422, 483, 526; 

on the Sloepsbay, 170; obtain foothold on Fresh River, 284; claims to 

territory of New Netherland, 786 
English subjects, revolts, 784 
Ernst, Roetert, 744 

Es, Cornelis Hendricksz van, see Nes, Cornells Hendricksz van 
Esen, 806. See also Jansz, Barent 
Eslandt, Claes van, 480 

Esopus (Esoepes), 376, 828, 835, 837. See also Wiltwijck 
Esopus Indians, war with, 784 
Essequebo, colony in, 50, 176 
Evertsz, Tijs, biographical notice, 841 
Evertsz, Wessel, 715 

Export of goods, ordinance prohibiting, without special consent, 628 
Eyckenboom, de (ship), 553, 556, 561, 562, 566, 567, 577, 633; 20 persons 

sailing by, 550; colonists sailing by, 824-25 

Fairfax, Thomas, biographical notice, 839 

Farm laborers, terms offered to, 57-58 ; wages, 82, 329, 433, 692 ; memoranda 
of the engagement of, 195-96; lists, 204, 222, 397, 398; misbehaving, shall 
be punished, 211; sent with de Reux, 218; instructions to Megapolensis 
concerning, 610. See also Colonists ; Contracts and agreements 

Farmers, terms offered to, 57, 210, 490, 604; conditions upon which they 
came to Rensselaer swyck, 82; raised wages of farm laborers, 82; names 
of, 198, 222; misbehaving, shall be punished, 211; on de Laets Burg, 
222, 437; copies of contracts with given to Planck, 296; not to pay higher 
wages without consent of van Rensselaer, 329; instructions to Planck 
concerning, 329; directions to for sowing wheat, 442; plotted against 
patroon, 491; unwilling to accept van Rensselaer's conditions, 495; sell 
grain without van Rensselaer's knowledge, 559 ; suit to be brought against, 
560; employ outside carpenters at high wages, 560, 571; refuse to take 
the oath for their servants, 640; redress of abuses and faults of, 686-97; 
accounts with, 690; proper remedy against the abuse of outstanding 
accounts, 707-14. See also Colonists ; Contracts and agreements ; Tithes 

Farms, first established, 57 ; new, 61 ; near Fort Orange, 61, 162, 210, 214, 
287; van Rensselaer asks for men from garrison to work on, 7^, 298; 
Wolfert Gerritsz to direct affairs of, 160; materials for use of, 204; to 
be put into working order, 210; directions for care of animals, 211; 
directions for selling produce, 211; list of men on, 222; fourth, to be 
started under Lubbert Gijsbertsz, 285; number on West Island, 286, 287, 
307, 308; possible number in colony, 293, 617; instructions to Planck 
concerning, 326; near Paep Sickenes Island, 408; van Rensselaer's prin- 
cipal object directed toward farming, 412; of Teunis Dircksz van Vechten, 



868 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

412; patroon is willing to sell, 494; of Adriaen Cornelisz, fire at, 563; of 
van der Donck at West Island, 635, 660, 666; new, plenty of land and 
animals to establish, 654 ; at Great Flats, 660, 666, 667 ; animals on, 
220-21, 732-43; leases and agreements relating to, 746-80; of Aert Jacobsz, 
adjustment of fire losses on, 774; 

names of: 198, 210, 222, 309-10; Bessels Burg, 78, 397; Blommaerts 
Burg, 61, 193, 198, 210, 222, 307, 310, 435, 675; Godyns Burg, 34, 61, 
198, 222, 260, 280, 307, 310; de Laets Burg, 34, 57, 198, 210, 222, 260, 

307, 309, 437, 560; Rensselaers Burg, 34, 57, 63, 199, 210, 222, 260, 307, 

308, 489, 493; Trippen Burg, 78, 397; Welys Burg, 61, 199, 210, 222, 307, 
310, 489 

Farms at the Manhatans, one to be kept for van Rensselaer, 278, 322; 

contract with Company, 295 ; van Rensselaer's letter to director and council 

concerning, 297; farm no. 1, contract of sale of animals, tools etc., 

223, 230; 

farm no. 2 : detention of animals on, 291 ; animals from to be sent 

up the river, 294; 

farm no. 3: inventory of stock on, 192-93; bill of sale of increase 

of animals on, 225 ; promissory notes of van Rensselaer for animals 

and implements on, 226-27, 228-29 ; detention of animals on, 291 ; animals 

from, to be sent up the river, 294. See also Bijlvelt, Pieter Pietersz; 

Focken, Evert; Manhattan Island; Minuit, Peter; Notelman, Coenraet; 

Reux, Gerrit Theusz de 
Ferlyn, Jasper, see Gouw, Jasper Ferlyn van der 
Fernambucq (ship), 339 
Fernando do Noronho, Island, 50, 155 
Fifth Creek, 193; house near, 815; farm near, 751, 809, 812, 841, 845; 

mills on, 746-48, 749-51, 811, 812, 816, 821, 822, 831, 832, 846. See also 

Patroons Creek 
Firearms, sale to Indians forbidden, 426; ordinance of Rensselaerswvck 

prohibiting sale to Indians, 565-66 
Fishing, 149, 188, 514 
Flag of Rensselaerswvck, sent by de Eendracht, 67; hauled down by 

Krol, 474 
Flecker (Fleckero, Vlecken, Vlecker). location, 186, S05. See also Christensz, 

Andries ; Claesz, Claes ; Goverts, Cornelis ; Goyversen, Jacob 
Flodder, Jacob Jansz, see Gardenier, Jacob Jansz 
Focken (Fockes), Evert, 162, 206, 220 
Foeyt, 268 

Fonda, Gillis Douwes, biographical notice, 842-43 
Forest (Foreest), Gerard de, brother of Jesse de Forest, 74; contract with, 

7\- 328, 332; accounts with van Rensselaer, 74, 335, 336-38, 339. 34 I_ 4Si 

347, 348; mentioned, 30, 334 
Forest (Foreest), Hendrick de, arrived in the spring of 1637, 31, 75; mate 

of ship Rensselaerswvck. 75, 343, 375; sailed with David Pietersz de Vries 

in 1632, 197; forms of name, 197; son of Jesse de Forest, 343; wife of, 

343. 349; letter to van Rensselaer, 345; autograph, facing 345; letter to 

alluded to, 407; death, 75, 382 
Forest, Isaac de, 197 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 869 

Forest, Jean de, 343 

Forest (Foreest), Jehan du, 343, 345, 347, 349 

Forest, Jesse de, 74, 343 

Forest, Melchoir de, 343 

Forest, Rachel de, 75 

Fort Good Hope (de Hoop, Hope), 216, 426, 818 

Fort Orange, court first established at, 30, 723 ; van Rensselaer's domain 
situated near, 34, 35, 50, 53, 157, 159, 166, 475; van Rensselaer exerts 
himself to maintain friendly relations with commander and authorities, 
54, 212, 415; farms near, 61, 162, 210, 214, 287; van Rensselaer asks for 
men from garrison to work on farms and to guard the mill, 73, 298; 
land near to be tilled, 160; house to be built near, 160; number of men 
kept by company at, 200; supplies for men at garrison, 200; proposed 
purchase of islands near, 207 ; van Rensselaer's claim to land on which it 
is situated, 212, 216; distance from the Manhatans, 245; arrival of ship 
Rensselaerswyck at, 376, 377; vessels sailing to or from to obtain a permit, 
426; van Rensselaer plans to get trade at into his hands, 455; kept from 
the beginning as a trading post, 474; fur trade at, 483; wine sent to, 622, 
624 ; ordinance concerning fur trade issued by officers at, 722-23. See 
also Commis at Fort Orange 

Fourth Creek, 35, 193 

Franicker, location, 807. See also Tyaerts, Jan 

Frans, Marritjen, S37 

Fransen, Dirck, 800 

Fransz, Jan, from Hoesen, 830 

Fredericks^, Crijn. 33, 217, 218, 617, 636 

Fredericks^, ITendrick, from Bnnnick, memoranda of engagement of, 196; 
facsimile of mark, facing 196; sails for colony, 204, 310; farm laborer at 
Blommaerts Burg, 222; biographical notice, 807 

Fredericks?, Willem, from Leyden, 747, 74S, 811, 816, 828, 838, 844; biographi- 
cal notice, S29 

Frederikstad, location, 809. See also Andriesz, Albert ; Andriesz, Arent 

Free trade, directors unable to decide upon, 79; proposed, 80; O'Callaghan's 
statements concerning, 81 

Freedoms and Exemptions, established, 47-48. 237-38; first charter of, 50- 
52, 136-53 ; Company disinclined to fulfil, 61 ; printed copy sent to officers 
and schepens, 62, 209, 215; attempt to undermine, 64; disputes concerning, 
68; meaning of conccrnins fur trade, 76-77; new, van Rensselaer's pro- 
test against, 80, 424-25, 463-65, 466, 500; effort to deprive the patroons of, 
244; needed to raise up patroons, 246; approved anew, 266 

Freemen, privileges granted to. 52; instructions to Planck concerning, 327; 
contract with alluded to, 441, 444, 463; not included in contracts made with 
colonists, 476; wages, 502; changes in contracts with, 562; Kieft's recom- 
mendations, 624; ordinance of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting 
freemen and private traders from coming with their vessels within the 
limits of the colony, 626-27; place of residence, 660; rule of patroon 
gi >\ erning, 691 

Freight, carrying of, 64-65, 143, 147, 236 



870 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Freight charges, colonists not to know of, 430; statements to Kieft con- 
cerning, 432, 477 ; directions to van Curler, 443, 564 ; van Rensselaer re- 
fuses to pay to the Company, 622; letter of Kieft concerning, 625; Com- 
pany's demands excessive, 651 ; in dispute between van Rensselaer and 
the Company, 657, 659 

Fresh River (Blommaert's River, Connecticut River), proposed colony on, 
50, 165, 171 : registration by Samuel Blommaert of a colony on, 157; colony 
not begun. 175; opposition to patroons reason for failure of colony, 248; 
advantages. 284; English encroachments on. 401, 483. 526; brickmakers at, 
058 

Fruit, cultivation. 414 

Funis Island. 381 

Fur trade, van Rensselaer's proposal to curtail, 47; Company desires to 
monopolize, 48. 70, 76. 77, 244. 314. 320; rights of West India Company, 
51; amount of skins imported 1624-27. 51; patroons accused of monopo- 
lizing, 58. 237, 239; prohibited to colonists, 58, 161-62. 178. 180. 188. 193, 
_ . 216, 253-54 25c, 250. 260, 411, 478. 688, 709; attempt to undermine 
Freedoms and Exemptions relating to, 64; claims of patroons, 68, 70. 314: 
patroons do not attempt to supplant Company in. 70, 412; proposal of van 
Rensselaer to farm out. 73,, 316 ; officials suspected of smuggling. 73; dif- 
ferences between van Rensselaer and the West India Company concerning, 
" . 244. 316, 320: regulations in charter of Freedoms and Exemptions con- 
cerning. 76. 145. 206; privilege given to colonists. 80. Si, 413. 425. 611; 
revocation of monopoly followed by revival in colonial affairs. 81 ; pay- 
ment of duty on furs. 147. 443. 458. 564. 61 1. 651. 659; at Rensselaerswyck, 
petition of Pieter Bijlvelt to be employed as commis of, 234: van Rens- 
selaer's opinions on, _\ :. 401. 412. 543. 553: action of Company on 
presentation of skins. 242; amount obtained from. 244. 245. 246: difficul- 
ties of carrying on, 244. 245; in Swanendael. 246: colonies ruined if shut 
off from, 247. 248; advantages of granting to patroons. 247. 248: furs 
sent to van Rensselaer, 282, 320 : carried on by Hunthum and Eelkens. 
j; instructions to Planck concerning. 327; skins obtained by Com- 
pany, 334; payment for grain in peltries. 404: letter to Planck on, 413. 416; 
- wan ased in trading. 418. 441. 652. 667. 723, 747: under new Freedoms, 
425 ; difficulties in throwing open to everyone. 432 ; letters to van Curler 
ncerning, 441. 443. 455. # :; ;: ~ — - >; letter to Pieter 
Cornelisz concerning. 444: ordinances concerning. 450 52, -~ 
insurance on furs. 454. 458 562, 577, 652 Inties of patroon's 
representative concerning. 462: changes in at Fort Orange, 483: improve- 
ment in, 520; manner of conducting. 550: van Rensselaer wishes to divert 
to colony trade with French in Canada. 553: private traders interfere with 
van Rensselaer's privi' g - 55 ------ .- . ■ \ 698; warn- 
ing concerning, and new regulations in connection with Rensselaers Steyn, 
& 85; patroon's profits from, 687; regulation of price. 723: bill of lading 
for furs. 743-44 

Galen, Willem van. letters of van Rensselaer to, 545. 579-80 

lenier (Flodder), Jacob Jansz, from Campen, instructions to Megapo- 
lens •ling. 612; farm. 741: lease of grist and sawmills granted 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 871 

to, 746-48; sawmill, 750; mentioned, 825, 828, 829, 838; biographical notice, 
816 

Gecommitteerden, 30, 572. See also Commissioners 

Geelgieter, Willem Leenertsz, 836. See also Leendertsz, Willem 

Geertruydenbergh, location, 827. See also Jansz, Paulus 

Gekruijste Hart, het (ship), insurance policy on, 790-92 

Gelderlant (ship), 266, 273 

Gent, T. van, 726 

Gent (city), location, 845. See also Winne, Pieter 

Gerhertsz, Eldert, see Cruyf, Eldert Gerbertsz 

Gerechts Boode, 829, 843 

Gcrechts Persoon, 8tt, 825, 826, 843 

Gerritsz, Albert, biographical notice, 843 

Gerritsz, Barent, biographical notice, 835 

Gerritsz, Clacs, from Schoennerwoorde, 818; biographical notice, 823 

Gerritsz, Goossen, from Westerbroeck, gives bond for lease of property, 757, 
770; lease of land to, 758; signs lease of land, 762, 763] mentioned, 748, 
812, 813; biographical notice, 811 

Gerritsz (Gerretsen), Hendrick, 801 

Gerritsz, Jan, 815, 821 ; biographical notice, 832 

Gerritsz (Girrits), Jan, 793 

Gerritsz, Jan, de Jonge, see Jonge, Jan Gerritsz de 

Gerritsz, Marten, letters sent by, 266, 400, 406, 411; goes to the Manhatans, 
377; goes aboard the Rensselaerswyck, 378; formerly commis at Fort 
Orange, 401 ; mentioned, 287, 329, 409, 414 

Gerritsz (Gerritsen), Philips, 717, 718 

Gerritsz (van Couwenhoven), Wolfcrt, from Amersfoort, to direct laying 
out of farms and purchase cattle, 56, 57, 160, 308; request to be released 
from his engagement, 63, 205 ; instructions to, 161-63, 700-1 ; ploughs van 
Rensselaer's land, 170; seed inspected by, 103; purchase of animals from, 
20S, 230, 231, 232, 257, 286; released, 213, 215, 218; letter from van Rens- 
selaer to, 218-19; van Rensselaer wishes him or his children to move up 
the river, 259, 260, 280, 286, 293, 328, 33 r, 332; accounts with, 273, 284; 
farm of at the Manhatans, 280, 282, 317; advice to van T wilier concerning 
contract with, 287; son of, 280, 286, 287, 448, 460; to send animals to Rens- 
selaerswyck, 291; animals brought Up the river. 204; contract with alluded 
to, 317; mentioned, 182, 281, 516, 617; biographical notice, 805 

Gerritsz, see also Goverts 

Ghijsbertsz (Ghysbertsz), sec Gijsbertsz 

Gijsbertsz, Claes, biographical notice, 818 

Gijsbertsz, Hendrick, from Vianen, money received from, 213 

Gijsbertsz, Lubbert, from Blaricum, wheelwright, sails with wife and chil- 
dren for New Netherland, 67, 263, 311; contract with van Rensselaer, 
258 60, 296; van Twiller to employ, 282; farm for, 285, 326; accounts, 417, 
480; mentioned, 695; biographical notice, 808 

Glen, Sander Leendertsz, 439, 505, 667, 747, 817, 835, 839; biographical notice, 
821 

Gbdyn (Godijn), Daniel, 449 

Godyn (Godijn), Pauwel, 449 



872 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Godyn (Godijn, Godin), Samuel, notice of intention to send two persons to 
New Netherland to inspect the country, 50, 154; registration of the colony 
of Swancndael, 50, 155 ; registration of colony on the island of Tortuga, 
50, 241 ; colony sold to West India Company, 55, 175, 314, 316, agreement 
between patroons, 55, 171-75, 540; share in Rensselaerswyck, 55, 165, 201; 
reason for failure of colony, 84; share in certain colonies, 164, 165; region 
controlled by as patroon, 174; share of heirs of in Rensselaerswyck sold, 
175, 321, 334; David Pietersen draws on for expenses, 197; name com- 
memorated in Rensselaerswyck, 198; opposition to by members of West 
India Company, 238-39; diligence in the matter of colonizing, 240; trade 
in Swanendael, 246; accounts with, 516; retained but the name of patroon, 
528. See also Swanendael 

Godyns Burg, 34, 61, 198, 203, 260, 280, 307, 310, 806; men on farm, 222 

Godyns Islands, 198 

Godyns Kill, 198, 199 

Godyn's Point (Godins Puint), 374, 379, 383 

Goede Hoope, de (ship), 266, 288, 289 

Goes, Jan van der, registration of colony by, 50, 176 

Goijes Kill, 746 

Gooier (Goijer, Gojer), 831, 832] 845. See also Andriesz, Claes ; Cruyf, 
Eldert Gerbertsz ; Dorlandt, Jacob Lambertsz 

Gooiland (Goylant, het Gooi), 49, 53, 58, 258, 284, 546 

Gorcum (Gorinchem), sec Jansz, Paulus 

Gordt, Dirck Symonsen, 800 

Gouw, Jan, 830 

Gouw, Jasper Ferlyn van der, from Middelburgh, agreement with Marinus 
Adriacnsz, 179-80; sails for New Netherland in ship de Eendracht, 190; 
agreement with alluded to, 293, 296; sent in 1631, 309; biographical notice, 
806 

Governor's Island, 375, 836 

Goverts (Gerritssz), Cornells, from Flecker, request to send to colony, 189; 
absent, 190; biographical notice, 806 

Goyver, 577 

Goyversen (Goyverttsen), Jacob, from Flecker, 222, 308; biographical notice, 
80S 

Graefif, Jan de, 202, 203 

Grain, amount raised in 1631, 63; supplied to people at the Manhatans, 243; 
price of, 253, 429, 430, 43T, 434, 447, 478, 487, 493, 496, 504, 511, 512, 514, 
564, 605, 650, 664, 689; instructions to Planck, 324, 326; payment for to 
lie made in beavers, 423; directions for sowing wheat, 442; ordinance con- 
cerning sale and export of, 450-52; duties of patroon's representative con- 
cerning, 462; account of received by ship den Harinck, 467; contracts mis- 
interpreted concerning, 478, 495; provisions against smuggling, 479; ordi- 
nance prohibiting storing of without inspection, 515; arrears in payments 
for, 518, 567, 616, 651; instructions to van Curler concerning, 551, 557; 
vimmen must be counted fin the field, 558, 561; sold without van Rens- 
selaer's knowledge, 559; Kicft complains that they furnish him little wheat, 
563, 568; to be delivered to Company before anyone else, 568; instructions 
to van der Donck, 633, 651 ; ordinance about grinding must be passed, 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 873 

638; vessels carrying should be inspected, 650; contributed by van Curler 
for erection of church, 650; to be credited against other merchantable 
goods, 657; furnished by van Curler, 657; time of closing accounts of, 
668; remaining as a surplus in the colony, disposition of, 689; instruc- 
tions to farmers concerning, 712; delivered by Teunis Dircksz van Vechten 
to the West India Company, 715. See also Tithes 

Grapevines, 76, 391, 394, 551, 614, 654, 663 

Gras, Jean, 267 

Grasmeer, Wilhelmus, 842; biographical notice, 841 

Great Egg Harbor (Grooeten eiierhaeuen), 382 

Great Esopus (Grooete Oesoepes), 378 

Great Flats, 617, 660, 666, 667, 812, 813 

Greenbush, lease of farm and water power in, 759; lease of farm in, 763-64; 
lease of land at south end of, 762-63 ; renewal of lease of farm south of, 
764-66; farms at, 811, 819, 825, 828, 833, 837; mills, 811, 816, 828; brewery, 
819; house of Jan Verbeeck, 826; fight which occurred at, 839; distillery, 
842. See also Mill Creek 

Greenwich, 375 

Grietje, 271 

Grist, Paulus Leendertsz van de, 785, 786, 789; autograph, facing 789 

Grist-mills, see Sawmills and grist-mills 

Groot, Simon de, biographical notice, 837 

Groote Vlacte, de, 617, 660, 666, 667, 812, 813 

Grootstadt, Johannes, 828 

Grootstadt (Grootstedius), 623, 828. See also Megapolensis, Johannes, jr 

Gunst, Jan Hendricksz van, letter to B. Coornhart, 792-93 ; autograph, 793 ; 
power of attorney from to B. Coornhart, to collect money from Aeltje 
Marchal and others, 793-95 ; note of hand of Aeltje Marchal to, 795 

Gutsenhoven, Jan Bastiaensz van, biographical notice, 844 

Gysbertsz, see Gijsbertsz 

Harlem (N. Y.), 788 

Haerlem [Holland], see Jansz, Gerrit ; Jansz, Philips 

Hagemans, Jan, 814 

Hamel, Dirck van, 746 ; biographical notice, 846 

Hamel, Hendrik, term as director expires, 270; refusal to let van Rensselaer 
read the Freedoms, 464; presided over assembly and commissioners, 519; 
mentioned, 59, 156 

Hamel, Jacob, 184, 185, 190 

Hameland, 62 

Hamelshoofden (Hoefden, Hoof den), 50, 158, 374, 379, 599, 602 

Hamelwaerde (Hamelworden), sec Hendricksz, Marten 

Hamersvelt, see Jacobsz, Teunis 

Hansz, Hans, 662 

Hansz, Volckert, 813, 814; biographical notice, 826 

Hap, Jacob Jansz, see Stol, Jacob Jansz 

Harinck, de (ship), to be sent, 342; four persons to sail in, 354; letters 
sent by, 400, 406, 452; return to Holland, 421; sails again for New Amster- 
dam, 429; goods not loaded in for lack of room, 450, 453, 456, 566; goods 



874 xi:w YORK STATE LIBRARY 

and persons sent by, 450, 456, 463, 482; furs to be sent by, 455, 458; ac- 
counts of grain sent by, 467; mentioned, 455, 457, 485; colonists sailing by, 
816, 821-22 

Haringhoek (Harinckhoeck), 292, 482 

Harmensz, Marten, biographical notice, 837 

Harmensz (Harmansen), Reynier, 160, 168, 183 

Harmensz, Robert, biographical notice, 812 

Hartford, 786 

Hartgers (Hartgens), Pieter, 717, 819, 826, 842; biographical notice, 834 

Hasselt, 43 

Haver Island, 167 

Haverstraw (Haeuer stroo), 379 

Havick, Jacob, see Hevingh, Jacob 

Hawkins, Thomas, 45 

Heemstra, van, family, 39 

Heer van Coin, de (ship), 340 

Heijligesont (Hellesund), location, 186, 807. See also Thonisz, Barent 

Helmsz (Heling, Helms, Helmssen), Jan, from Barlt, sails in den Houttuyn, 
609; animals on farm of, 735, 739; farm, 741, 772, 832; contract with al- 
luded to, 746; biographical notice, 609, 827 

Hem, Ysbrant van der, 744, 745; autograph, facing 744 

Hendricks, Maijgen, 825 

Hendricksz, Andries, biographical notice, 821 

Hendricksz, Arent, 718, 721, 800 

Hendricksz, Claes, 842 

Hendricksz, Claes, see Schaef, Claes Hendricksz 

Hendricksz, Cornelis, see Nes, Cornells Hendricksz van 

Hendricksz, Dirck, from Hilversum, 695, 774; biographical notice, 832 

Hendricksz, Gerrit, from Nykerck, 395, 397, 398; biographical notice, 817 

Hendricksz, Jacob, 839 

Hendricksz, Jan, see Gunst, Jan Hendricksz van 

Hendricksz, Jehan, see Waetter, Jehan Hendrixsz van de 

i (endricksz, Marten, from Hamelwaerde, biographical notice, 821 

Hendricksz, Pieter, from Soest, 161, 222; biographical notice, 805 

Hendricksz, Reyer, constable, 420 

1 1 endricksz, Robbert, biographical notice, 808 

I I endricksz, Rutger, from Soest, first schout, 29; doubtful whether he took 
oath of office, 29, 63; engaged by van Rensselaer, 56, 161, 308, 516; rents 
farm of Evert Focken at the Manhatans, 56, 162; appointed schout, 62-63, 
215, 516; wages as farmer, 161; farmer on Rensselaers Burg, 199, 210, 
222, 260; van Twillef to administer oath of schout to, 261-2; to administer 
oath of schepen, 202-3, 205; rapier and hat with plume to be presented to, 
204; commis of Fort Orange to administer oath to, 205; instructions, 207, 
208 12, 701; accounts with van Rensselaer, 213, 324; successful farmer, 
214; Duyster to assist, 216; animals on farm of, 220, 221; to be notified 
of plans for the erection of a house, 232; rapier and plumed hut in custody 
of van Twiller, 251; succeeded by Planck, 292; van Renssselaer's approval 
of, 407, 512; mentioned, 280, 283, 293, 805, 806, 807; biographical notice, 
805 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 875 

Hendricksz, Tjerck, 556, 838 

Hennekela, Peel van, 840 

Henypot, Symon Jansz, 350, 406, 413, 417; biographical notice, 818 

Herbertsz (Herpertsz), Andries, 831, 833; biographical notice, 829 

Herijon, Touchain de, 349 

lkrmen, den bontwercker, 447 

Hermite, Jacques 1', sec L'Hermite, Jacques 

Hes, Jacob Janssen, 275 

Ik-vingh (Havick, Hevick) Jacob, tobacco plantation, 742; mentioned, 836, 
%2>7> 839; biographical notice, 835 

Higgins (Higgens), Thomas, lease of horses to, 780; mentioned, 839: bio- 
graphical notice, 836 

Highlands, 375, 379, 602 

llilversum, location, yy^ 831. See also Adriaensz, Jacob; Andries, Claes ; 
Cruyf, Eldert Gerbertsz ; Hendricksz, Dirck 

Hoesen (Hoesem), Jan Fransz van, 820, 844; biographical notice, 836 

Hoffman, Samuel, 333 

Hog Island, 380 

! logus, see Hooges 

Hoochcamer, Hendrick, 301 

1 [oof, Annaten, 319 

Hcofden ( Hamelshoofden, Hoefden), 50, 158, 374, 379, 599, 602 

Hooge Hoeck (Hooge lant), see Highlands 

Hoogeberch (Hoogeberg) de, farm, 748, 815, 818, 841, 844; leased to Michiel 
Jansz, 499, 769 ; animals on, 735 ; leased to Teunis Cornells van Vechten, 
769; renewal of lease to Gijsbert Cornelisz van Breuckelen, 769-70 

Hoogenberch, Gijsbert Cornelisz van den, 837. See also Cornelisz, Gijsbert, 
from Breuckelen 

Hoogenboom, C, 62 

1 [oogerhorst, 527 

Hooges, Antony de, to sail in den Coninck David, 555, 556; letters sent in 
care of, 557, 566, 572, 575, 576; assistant to van Curler, 559, 563, 666; jour- 
nal of voyage to New Netherland, 580-603 ; letters of van Rensselaer to, 
620-21, 669-70; accommodations for at home of Oloff Stevensz van Cort- 
land:, 621, 655; Megapolensis advised to confer with, 647; charges of 
intemperance, 649 ; papers to be turned over to by van Curler, 653 ; mes- 
sages to, 653-54; instructions to 655, 704; advice to van Curler, 660; van 
Rensselaer's opinion of, 660; inventory of animals taken by, 663; accounts 
of pay of laborers to be kept by, 690; commis of goods to be exchanged 
for wheat, 690 ; leased farm called Hoogeberch to van Vechten, 769 ; men- 
tioned, 558, 612, 615, 652, 811, 812, 820, 821, 824, 826, 831, 832, 834, 835, 836, 
838, 841, 842, 846; biographical notice, 825 

Hoolck, van der, 728, 729 

Hooninch, Dirck Muyssen, 795, 800, 801, 802 

Hooninch, Klaes, 801 

Hoorn, location, 838. See also Sijmensz, Sijmcn; Waelingen, Jacob 

Hops, ordinance regulating picking of, 716 

Horses, lease to Thomas Higgins, 780. See also Animals 

Horst, lord of, 527 



S-(> NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Houses, van Rensselaer asks permission to employ Company's carpenters, 
61, 100, 210, 242; to be built for savages, 78, 351, 354: Wolfert Gerritsz 
to direct building, wo, [63; for Marinus Adriaensz, 178, 309; agreement 
with colonists concerning, 186, 2S0, 604 ; to be built by de Reux, 193; to be 
erected near Roelof Jansz or at tbe mill creek. 232; for Planck. 252, 294; 
Planck to direct building of, 327, 414; for farmers, provisions for payment 
of repairs and damages by fire, 433; instructions to van Curler, 434; of 
Cornells Maesen, 453: for minister and sexton, 454, 450, 619, 654; to be 
built near the church, 455. 611, 619; of Cornelis Teunisz van Breuckelen, 
496; Jan Cornelisz to direct building, 505; of Adriaen Cornelisz, burned 
down. 52 of van Curler, 551. 563, 646; contracted for by van der 

Donck, prices too high, 612, 631 ; for van der Donck, 617, 631, 643; colon- 
ists may sell. 696 ; of Aert Jacobsz burned, 774; of van der Donck burned, 
See also Church 

Houset (HousseO. Gilles, 50, 54, 75. 154. 156, 171 

Houtebeen, see Jol, Kornelis Kornelisz 

Houten, location. 771. 810. See also Cornelisz. Crijn; Cornelisz, Tan; Cor- 
nelisz. Roelof; Crijnen, Cornelis; Crijnen, Tan; Reyersz, Jan 

Houthuysen, Juffrouw, 794 

Houttuyn, de (ship), people sailing in, 609, 827-31; arrival at Xew Amster- 
dam, 623, 625 

1 hidden. Andries, 103; agreement regarding payment of workmen, 2j8, 230; 
sale of cow to van Yorst. 255. 274. 275. 304: unreasonable claims, 661-62 

Hudson (North) River, proposed colonies on, 50. See also Pavonia ; Rens- 
selaerswyck 

Huijberts, see Huybertsz 

Hulst, Johannes. 304 

Hulter, Johan de, lease of farm to. 751-52; signs lease of land, 770; bio- 
graphical notice. 845 

Hunthum (Hontom), Hans Jorisz. commis at Fort Orange, 60, 215, 243; 
appointment a mistake. 62; death, 62. JT2J charges against, 72. 302 ; van 
Rensselaer's opinion of, 243, 270; van Twiller to secure affidavits from, 
; salary, 2J3: instructions to van Twiller concerning, 286; to discuss 
starting farm near Fort Orange with Planck. 287; mentioned, 273, 316; 
biographical notice, 60 

Hunting, 140. 188. 247, 514. 628 

Huybert, biographical notice, 839 

Huybertsz (Tlubertsen, Huijbertsz), Adriaen, animals on farm of, 737. 74°: 
farm, 742; mentioned. 841; biographical notice. 812 

Huybertsz. Jan, biographical notice. 833 

Huygen, Admiral Jacob, 4S4 

1 [uygens, 728, 729 

rluys, Saertien, 801 

Ijsbrandtsen, see Ysbrantsen 
llpendam, see Jansz, Jan 
Immorality, 694 

Indians, names of Indians from whom land was purchased, 35, ^6, 166. 182, 
307, 843; houses to be built for, 78, 351, 354; hinder fur trade, 245, 248; 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 877 

ordinance prohibiting sale of powder, lead and firearms to, 426, 565-66; 

gift of blankets to chiefs, 508; supplied with firearms by private traders, 

626. Sec also Mahikans ; Maquaes 
Instructions issued by van Rensselaer, 159, 161, 208, 292, 459, 490; extracts 

from, 699-705 
Insurance on furs, 454, 458, 562, 577, 652, 660, 664 
Insurance policy on ship het Gekruijstc Hart, 790-^)2 
Ipse quepe, sec Essequebo 
Ittersum (Jttcnsum). 300 

Jackson, Gen., 720 

Jacobs, Brechtje, 679, 833 

Jacobs, Trijntje, 842 

Jacobsz, Aert, animals on farm of, 73d, 730; farm at Bethlehem, 741; lease 

of farm in Greenbush to, 763-64; adjustment of lire losses on farm of, 

774-75 ; biographical notice, 837 
Jacobsz, Barent, 715, 719, 720 
Jacobsz, Casper, biographical notice, 843 
Jacobsz, Cornelis, from Martensdyck, 196, 204, 222; facsimile of mark, facing 

196; biographical notice, 807 
Jacobsz, Frans, biographical notice, 839. See also Coningh, Frans Jacobsz 
Jacobsz, Jan, biographical notice, 808 
Jacobsz, Nijs, biographical notice, 823 
Jacobsz, Pieter, 822 
Jacobsz, Reyer, 801 
Jacobsz, Rutger, from Schoondcrwoert, mills leased to, 746, 750; bond given 

by, 757; lease signed by, 762, 763; mentioned, 742, 81 1, 812, 818, 820, 822, 

823, 843 ; biographical notice, 812 
Jacobsz, Tenuis, from Hamersvelt, biographical notice, 846 
Jacobsz, Teunis, from Schoondcrwoert, biographical notice, 823 
Jacobsz, Theunis, printer at Amsterdam, 153, 685 
Jans, Annetjc (Anneke, Annetgen), not Dutch but a Swede, 57; arrived in 

1630, 308, 806; letter from alluded to, 352; married in 1638 Rev. Everardus 

Bogardus, 352; mentioned, 834 
Jans, Ariaentje, 597 
Jans, Hillegont, 629 
Jans, Pietertje, 482, 511, 816 
Jans, Trijntje, 812 

Jansz, Adriaen, schoolmaster, biographical notice, 843 
Jansz, Adriaen, from Leyden, 835, 836, 838, 846; biographical notice, 839 
Jansz, Aert, 840 

Jansz, Albert, from Amsterdam, biographical notice, 830 
Jansz, Ant bonis, 833 

Jansz, Barcnt, from Desens or Esen, 222, 308; biographical notice, 806 
Jansz, Claes, from Bockhoven, 845; biographical notice, 843 
Jansz, Claes, from Breda, biographical notice, 830 
Jansz, Claes, from Naerden, see Ruyter, Claes Jansz 
Jansz, Claes, from Nykcrck, carpenter, biographical notice, 812 
Jansz, Claes, from Nykcrck, tailor, sails with van Curler, 395, 397, 398; bio- 
graphical notice, 817 



878 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Jansz, Claes, from Waelwijck, sails in den Honttuyn, 609; biographical no- 
tice, 827 

Jansz, Cornelis, biographical notice, 837 

Jansz, Dirck, uncle of Abraham Staas, 678 

Jansz, Dirck, from Amsterdam, see Croon, Dirck Jansz 

Jansz, Dirck, from Edam, agreement with van Rensselaer, 677 ; mentioned, 
815, 816; biographical notice, 813 

Jansz, Egbert, 304 

Jansz, Evert, biographical notice, 837 

Jansz, Gerrit, from Haerlem, biographical notice, 824 

Jansz, Gerrit, from Oldenborch, to deliver animals to van Twiller, 223, 224; 
farm for, 332 

Jansz, Hans, see Eencluys, Hans Jansz 

Jansz, Hendrick, 717 

Jansz, Hendrick, sec Westerkamp, Hendrick Jansz 

Jansz, Hnybert, 501, 661, 839 

Jansz, Jacob, cooper, to be sent to New Netherland 1629, 50, 154 

Jansz, Jacob, lighterman, 390 

Jansz, Jacob, from Amsterdam, biographical notice, 813 

Jansz, Jacob, from Campen, sec Gardenier, Jacob Jansz 

Jansz, Jacob, from Noordstrandt, biographical notice, 830 

Jansz, Jacob, from Stoutenburch, 817; biographical notice, 837 

Jansz, Jacob, sec Schermerhorn, Jacob Jansz van 

Jansz, Jacob, see Stol, Jacob Jansz 

Jansz, Jan, from Bremen, sec Dircksz, Jan, from Bremen 

Jansz, Jan, from Tlpendam, 417 

Jansz, Juriaen (Jansen, Juir Jan), 420 

Jansz, Laurens, 843 ; biographical notice, 841 

Jansz, Lubbert, 718, 721 

Jansz, Mathijs, biographical notice, 834 

Jansz, Maurits, see Broeckhuysen, Maurits Jansz van 

Jansz, Michiel, from Schrabbekercke, came in 1638 by bet Wapen van Noor- 
wegen, 423; rock crystal found on farm of, 489, 500, 663, 769; to advise 
van Curler, 490; conditions of lease of farm, 492; letter of van Rensselaer 
to, 499-500; farm leased by, 499, 769; mentioned, 505, 513, 815, 818, 821, 
823, 827, 828, 838; biographical notice, 499, 818 

Jansz, Paulus (Paulus de Noorman), 832; biographical notice, 838 

Jansz, Paulus, from Geertrnydenbergh, 609; biographical notice, 827 

Jansz, Paulus, from Gorcum, biographical notice, 839 

J;:nsz, Philips, from Haerlem, surveys by, 33; map of colony drawn by, 206; 
directed to make map, 217 

Jansz, Pieter, 191 

Jansz, Pieter, from Hoorn, 829; biographical notice, 838 

Jans/, Rem, from Jewerden, 823; biographical notice, 841 

J.msz Reyer (Jansen, Reijer), 420 

Jarjsz, Roelof, from Masterland, sent to colony. 56, 308; not Dutch but a 
Swede, 57; appointed schepen, 63, 202-3; farmer on de Laets Burg, 198, 
210, 214, 222; black hat with silver band presented to, 205; animals be- 
longing to, 206; to work on building houses, 210; conditions concerning 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 879 

farm, time of taking effect, 211; unable to get winter seed, 219; animals 
bought of, 220; van Rensselaer directs house to be erected near, 232; men 
employed by, 261 ; complaints against, 281 ; servants, 285 ; widow of, 352 ; 
mentioned, 210, 222, 280, 808; biographical notice, 806 

Jansz, Seger, from Nykerck, 222, 308, 416; drowned, 328; biographical notice, 
806 

Jansz, Steven, 843 ; biographical notice, 839 

Jansz, Symon, see Henypot, Symon Jansz 

Jansz, Thomas, from Bunnick, animals on farm of, ytf, 740; farm, 742; 
lease of land to, 758; mentioned, 812, 822, 831, 845; biographical notice, 

S13 
Jansz, Tunes, see Vechten, Tennis Dircksz van 
Jansz, Volckert, see Hansz, Volckert 
Jehansberg, location, 826. Sec also Smit, Lucas 
J ernes, Seerck, 420 
Jcnriaens, see Juriaens 
Jewerden, see Jansz, Rem 
Jillesen, Jan, 800 

Jochims( Jochems), Trijntje, 678, 828 
Jol, Kornelis Kornelisz, 484 
Jonas, Trijn, 57 

Jonasz, Jacob, biographical notice, 830 
Joncker, de, 824. See also Donck, Adriaen van der 
Jonge, Jan Gerritsz de, 798 
Joosten, Dirck, recommended by Pos, 170 
Jorisz, Burger, 351, 573, 815, 822; biographical notice, 815 
Jttensum, see Ittersum 
Juriaens, Annetje, 830 
Juriaens (Jeuriaens), Teuntje, 817 
Juriaens, Volkertje, 830, 836 
Juriaensz, Willem, 667, 691, 836, 839, 841 ; biographical notice, 820 

Kalf, Claes, 806, 832; biographical notice, 837 

Karstensz, see Carstensz 

Kassers, Janneken, 832 

Katskil, see Catskill 

Kees, Jonge, see Voorhout, Cornells Cornclisz van 

Keren, Meyndert Meyndertsen van, 527 

Kermpt, Wouter van, 331 

Kettelheym (Kettelheun), Jochem, from Cremyn, 609, 832; biographical 
notice, 827 

Keuningh, see Coningh 

Keyser, Jan, 799 

Kick, Simon, 700 

Kieft (Kiefft, Kijeft, Kyeft), Willem, administration of, 31; eight colonists 
crossing with, 75, 78; succeeds van Twiller, 78; letters of van Rensselaer 
to, 392-93, 39". 402-4. 421-23. 427-33. 456, 472, 473-85, 548-49, 566-71, 
575-76, 578- 70. 621-25, 656; letters to alluded to, 486, 488, 511, 655; request 
fur assistance from van Rensselaer. 405; memorial to, 441; skins and 
tobacco to be entered with, 443; accounts with, 453, 467, 651, 718, 720; 



880 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

power of attorney to, from heirs of Gerrit de Reux, 457; van Rensselaer 
offers commission to, for sending goods up the river, 477 ; payments to, 
by van Curler, 484 ; complains that they furnish him little wheat, 563 ; 
statements concerning indebtedness of colonists, 564; presents for, 613, 
621, 624, 647; remarks about vander Donck, 649; writes van Rensselaer 
about sale of wheat, 650; supplied by van Curler without receiving pay- 
ment, 650, 651; charges for freight, 659; unwilling to pay price for wheat, 
664 ; warning to traders to be brought to the attention of the freemen, 
685; mentioned, 352, 354, 390, 394, 397, 398, 400, 440, 453, 455, 487, 498, 
5T2, 519, 560, 563, 577, 610, 614, 642, 646, 648, 669 

Kiersteede, Hans, 795 

Kiewert, Sibout, to notary in Holland, 783 

Kil van Kol, 842 

Kiln, see Brickkiln 

Kingston, 376 

Klomp, Jacob Simonsz, 821 ; biographical notice, 843 

Koedijk, see Coedijck 

Koijemans (Coeymans), Barent Pietersz, mills leased to, 746, 750; transfer 
of lease of land to, 749; lease of water power to, 749-50; permission to 
erect sawmill, 750-51; mentioned, 812, 815, 819, 825, 832, 841, 846; bio- 
graphical notice, 821 

Koijemans (Coeymans), Lucas Pietersz, biographical notice, 841 

Koningh, see Coningh 

Korssen, Dirck, see Stam, Dirck Corsscn 

Kriekenbeek, Daniel van, 54, 306 

Krijnen, see Crijnen 

Kristensen, see Christensz 

Krol (Crol, Croll), Bastiaen Jansz, director general of New Netherland 
from March 1632 to April 1633, 31, 59, 217; purchase of land for van 
Rensselaer by, 54, 159, 163, 181-83; to supervise laying out of farm, 57; 
recalled, 60; detention of animals by, 61, 289, 29c, 298; instructions to, 
158-61, 700; quoted, 182; summoned home, rumor concerning, 215, 217; 
letter from van Rensselaer, 217-18; complains of van Twiller, 272; animals 
bought by, 275; examination of, 302-4; delays establishment of farms, 
310; greetings from van Rensselaer to, 415; causes van Rensselaer's flag 
to be hauled down, 474; grain delivered to, 480, 715; supervision of fur 
trade, 483; not to lend to colonists, 624; to ransom French prisoners, 625; 
mentioned. 223, 254, 283, 484, 623 

Krnyf. see Cruyf 

Kuijper, Gerrit Jans/., 824. See also Jansz, Gerrit, from Haerlem 

Kust, Claes Jansz, see Rust, Claes Jansz 

Kuttelluiyn, sec Kettelheytn 

Labatie (Barije, Labatije, Labatje, Lebatje, Lebattij), Jean, 392, 414, 486, 
635, 661; farm for, 660, 666; renewal of lease of farm to, 752-53; gives 
surety for lease of farm, 773; lease of farm to, 775; mentioned, 819, 841, 
843; biographical notice, 813-14 

LacroiXj Jeronimus, jr, 320, 414; journeys, 271, 401 

Lacroix, Jeronimus, sr, 269, 271, 274, 661; order for blankets, 427; ironwork 
and coal shipped by, 457 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 88l 

Laet, Johannes de, letters to alluded to, 33, 64, 65, 69, 83, 167, 207, 535, 544; 
share in colony of • Rensselaerswyck, 55, 175, 201, 334, 671, 673; plan for 
colonization of Rensselaerswyck, 79; disagreement with van Rensselaer, 
83, 468-69, 521; signs agreement between patroons, 174; colony sold, 175; 
letters from van Rensselaer to, 196-201, 312-13, 333-36, 339-41, 516-18, 
528-34; accounts with, 427, 449, 468, 471-72, 516; proposes to have case 
with two keys for papers relating to Rensselaerswyck, 470 ; message from 
van Rensselaer to, 520; van Rensselaer receives no help from, 522; letter 
to van Rensselaer, 539-43; letter to Burgh, 724; share of Burgh in colony 
ceded to, 725; memorial of, 725; autograph, 728; reply to the States 
General, 726-28, 729; resolution of the States General on a petition of, 
730; mentioned, 336, 337, 342, 471, 523, 524, 546, 547, 552, 553, 554, 
671, 845 

Laets Burg, 34, 57, 198, 203, 210, 260, 298, 307, 309, 437, 560, 805, 806, 808, 
810; men on farm, 222; farmhouse burned 309; church near, 459 

Laets Island, de, 35, 198 

Laets Kill, de, grist-mill on, 198, 203; miller, 807; rock crystal in, 198, 210, 
330, 489, 663, 769. Sec also Mill Creek, in Greenbush 

Lambertsz, Cornelis, brickmaker at the Mahatans, 160 

Lambertsz, Cornelis, from Doom, 609; biographical notice, 827 

Lambertsz, Jacob, see Dorlandt, Jacob Lambertsz van 

La Montague, Johannes, 75, 369, 400, 536, 674, 781, 782, 783 

La Montagne, Rachel, 369 

Lampo, Jan, signs certificate of purchase of land, 183 

La Myne (La Mine), Jacques, takes van Twiller's part, 60, 267; term ex- 
pired, 64; mentioned, 154 

Land purchases, 29, 54, 158-61, 163, 166-69, 181-83, 197, 199, 207, 212, 217, 
283, 306-8 

Lange Willem, skipper, 400 

Last of grain, how reckoned, 64, 849 

Laurensz (Loerens, Lourenssen), Laurens, from Coppenhagen, sent to Rens- 
selaerswyck to run sawmill and grist-mill, 57, 309; appointed schepen, 63, 
202-3; agreement with van Rensselaer, 186-89, 675; request to send to 
colony, 189; enrolled on ship de Eendracht, 190; payment to, 191; tools 
sent by, 192; oath to be administered to, 203; black hat with silver band 
presented to, 205; to work on building houses, 210; animals to be given 
to, 221; may be used as farmer, 223; money paid to wife of, 284; bio- 
graphical notice, 807 

Laurensz, sec also Louwrensz 

Laurentius, Jacobus, 606, 645 

Lead, ordinance of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting sale to Indians, 565-66 

Leases and agreements relating to the farms, sawmills, plantations and 
Other property in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 746-83. See also Con- 
tracts and agreements 

Lebatic (Lebattij), see Labatie 

Leendertsz, Sander, see Glen, Sander Lecndertsz 

Leendertsz, Willem, biographical notice, 836 

Leeuwaerden, location, 845 

Lefant, Guilliamme, 197 

56 



882 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Le Fcvre (Febure), Daniel, 796, 800, 803 

L' Ilermite, Jacques, 45 

Leyden, see Fredericksz, Willem ; Jansz, Adriaen ; Teunisz, Jan 

Licenten, 95 

Lichthart, Admiral, 484 

Liebergen (Lybergen), Arnoult van, 229, 291 

Liebergen (Lybergen), Daniel van, 64, 229, 268, 270 

Liefde, de (ship), people sailing on, 64, 820; taken by Dunkirkers, 452, 457, 

458, 485, 564 
Linclaen, see Eincklaen 
Linden, Pieter van der, 815 
Linge, van de, 268 
Liquors, excessive drinking should be stopped, 622, 65,3 ; less sent to colony, 

624; ordinance should be issued restricting importation, 648; sale of, 

683, 684, 687, 694, 698, 754; allowance for each family, 693; accounts of, 

711. Sec also Brandy; Brewery 
Locksmiths, 78, 354 
Loenen, sec Teunisz, Tennis 

Long Island, land on owned by Rem Jansz, 841 
Loockermans, Govert, 597 
Loockermans, Marritje, 597 
Loos, Willem Cornelisz, 484 
Looten, Charles, 237 
Lourenssen, see Laurensz 
Louwrensz, Jan, biographical notice, 838 
Lovelace, Francis, 793 
Lubbertsz, Gijsbert, 311, 808 
Lubbertsz, Jan, 311, 808 
Lubbertsz, Theus, 311, 808 
Ludlow, Helen W., acknowledgments to, ^7 
Lumber, payments for, 462 

I.upoltt (Leopoldtt), Ulrich, letters of van Rensselaer to, 404-5, 449 
Luxoel, Derykebia (Dorothea) van, 42 

Luyderdorp (Leiderdorp), location, 827. Sec also Bestval, Juriaen 
Luyersz (Luijersz), Jacob, biographical notice, 843 
Luyten, Arijen Teunisz van, 822 
I.uyten-Ambacht. 822 
Lybergen, see Liebergen 

Machackmachoons land, 50, 158 

Machipongo Inlet, 381, 382 

Macklick, Pieter, 846. See also Adriaensz, Pieter 

Maesen ( IVTaessen, Mascn, Moesen), Cornelis, from Buyrmalsen, name of 
farm, 78. 397; agreement with Marinus Adriaensz, 180-Sr ; cliildren, tSi ; 
sails for New Nctherland in ship de Eendracht, 190, 300; accounts with 
van Rensselaer, 324; farm hands for, 326; contract with alluded to, 332, 
488, 401; farm opposite, ))-'; house of, 453; to advise van Curler, 490; 
conditions relating to farm of, 492, 4g6; to pay tithes, 49R; mentioned. 
Si |, 818, 820, 824; biographical notice, 181, 807 

Maesen (Maessen), Hendrick, 181 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 883 

Maesen (Maessen), Hendrick Cornelisz, 180, 369, 807 

Maesen (Maessen), Maes Cornelisz, 181 

Maesen, Marten Cornelisz, 180 

Maesen (Maessen), Stijntje Cornelis, 181 

Maesen (Maessen), Tobias Cornelisz, 181 

Magdalen (Madeleens) Island, 378 

Magnus, I., 115, 121, 125 

Mahikans, lands purchased from, 35, 54, 159, 306, 700; proposed purchase, 
283 ; trade with, 484 

Majaguane, island, 171 

Mallesmits berch, 841 

Man, Eduard, 66, 270 

Manhattan Island, farming colony not successful, 48, 59; to be coldnized 
by Company, 50, 139; patroons recognize right of Company on, 51; Rutger 
Hendricksz to rent farm at, 56, 162; colonists return to fatherland after 
expiration of six years' contract, 71, 79; arrival of ship Rensselaerswyck 
at, 75, 374, 382 ; regulations concerning intention of Company, 143 ; fort 
on, 153; van Rensselaer's colonists detained at, 243; distance from Fort 
Orange, 245; farm to be kept for van Rensselaer at, 322; shed for storing- 
goods to be erected, 322; lands mostly exhausted, 331; van Rensselaer 
urged to appoint agent at, 571 ; arrival of den Coninck David at, 602. 
See also Farms at the Manhatans 

Mannix, see Nannincks 

Mans, Engeltje, 8t6 

Manufacture of cloth forbidden, 153 

Manuscripts, historical value, 3, 28-31; history of, 19-21; translations, 26; 
purloined in Amsterdam, 2>7 

Map of Rensselaerswyck, 33-36 

Maquaes, kill van Rensselaer's cattle, 62, 72, 243, 266, 270, 304; indemnity 
must be collected, 243, 267, 270, 330, 416; Krol to buy lands from, 159, 700; 
will not allow French to pass, 248; trade with, 484; hostility to French, 
625 ; embassy to, 809, 813, 840 

Marchal (Marschal), Aeltje, 793-95 

Marchall, Evert, 794 

Marsen, Frans, 420 

Marten, Black, 181 

Martens, Catelijntie, i8r, 369, 807 

Martensdyck, location, 807. See also Jacobsz, Cornelis 

Martenssz, Anthony, 254 

Martsen, see Maesen 

Mastcrland (Maasterland, Maesterland, Mai-strand), location, 56, 806. Sec 
also Jansz, Roelof 

Malhcusz, Gerrit, sec Reux, Gerrit Tlieusz de 

Mathijsz, see Tijssen 

Matse ponge, 381, ?>?2 

Mattysens, Pauwels, 420 

Mauritius, river, 302, 306 

Maurits, Johan, governor of Brazil, 78, 339 

Measures, list of, 847-49 

Mechanics, terms offered to, 58; place of residence, 660 



884 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Meer, N. van der, 121 

Meerkerck, location, 808. See also Teunisz, Cornelis 

Megapolensis, Johannes, jr, letters of van Rensselaer to, 604-6, 645-55; 
contract between van Rensselaer and, 606-8; children, 607, 609; sails on 
den Houttuyn, 609; memorandum from van Rensselaer for, 609-19, 630, 
632 ; arrival at Rensselaerswyck, 623 ; sermon sent to van Rensselaer, 629, 
670; letters from alluded to, 629; assistance given by Kieft, 656; advice 
to van Curler, 659, 660; mentioned, 621, 644, 658, 663, 669, 673, 812, 818, 
819, 823, 830, 835, 841, 845 ; biographical notice, 828 

Megapolensis, Johannes, sr, of Coedijck, 629; letters of van Rensselaer to, 
629-30, 672-73 

Melle, P. J. van, acknowledgments to, 2>7 

Melyn (Melijn), Cornelis, founded colony on Staten Island, 76, 81; super- 
cargo of het Wapen van Noorwegen, 399, 401, 403, 416, 419, 421, 422, 
431, 440, 508, 548, 550, 567, 630; letter of van Rensselaer to, 419; house 
of, 556 

Memorial presented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Assembly of the 
Nineteen of the West India Company, 47, 235-50 

Mensen (Mens, Meussen), Marcus, from Culenburgh, 196, 204, 222, 310; 
facsimile of mark, facing 196; biographical notice, 808 

Menten, see Meynten 

Merchandise, Company refuses to give van Rensselaer, 243 ; directions con- 
cerning buying of, 281 ; sale of, 430, 431 

Metselaer, Marten de, see Harmensz, Marten 

Metselaer, Teunis de, 830. See also Teunisz, Teunis 

Meuleman, Pieter, 75 

Meulenkil, see Mill Creek 

Meulewels, Jacques, biographical notice, 839-40 

Meussen, see Mensen 

Meusz, Pieter, 829 

Meyndertsz, Harmen, sec Bogaert, Harmen Meyndertsz van den 

Meyndertsz, Meyndert, see Keren, Meyndert Meyndertsen van 

Meyndz, Jan Jansz, 183 

Meynten. Willem, 819; biographical notice, 818 

Michaelius, Johannes, 76 

Michiels, Geertgen, 285 

Michielsz, Jan, from Edam, 423, 826, 835, 837; biographical notice, 818-19 

Michielsz, Jonas, 169 

Middelburg, location, 806. See also Gouw, Jasper Ferlyn van der 

Middelburg Chamber, see West India Company 

Midwout, 788 

Mijnten, see Meynten 

Military, only the greatest need must call for the, 641 

Military commander, Hendrick van Dijck, 472, 473, 487, 497, 795 

Mill Creek (Meulenkil, Normans Kill), 35, 167, 186, 198, 199, 217, 232, 
260, 810, 831. See also Godyns Kill , 

Mill Creek (Meulenkil, MolenkiO, in Greenbush, 186. 807; purchase of land 
near, 167; farm near, 769. Sec also Laets Kill, de 

Mill Creek (Wyn.'mfs Kill), mill on, 754. See also Wynant's Kill 

Mills, see Sawmills and grist-mills 

Millstones sent by van Rensselaer, 328 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 885 

Mines and minerals, patroons sole owners, 51, 151 ; instructions concerning 

discovery of, 178, 188, 209. See also Rock crystal 
Mingael, Thomas Jansz, 813 

Minister at Rensselaerswyck, patroons and colonists to provide for support 
of, 51, 151; van Rensselaer hopes to send over, 82, 404, 505, 551, 561; 
inadequate means for support of, 82, 408, 489; Planck requested to provide 
for, 82, 328, 414; house for, 454, 459, 619, 654; sent, 633. See also 
Bogardus, Everardus ; Megapolensis, Johannes, jr; Schaets, Gideon 

Minister at the Manhatans, see Bogardus, Everardus 

Minnekes, Jan, 792, 794 

Minuit (Miniet, Minnewiet, Minuict, Minuiet, Minuijt, Minuyct, Minuyt), 
Peter, contract for sale of cattle, 31, 223-24, 230; allusions to sale of 
cattle, 60, 206, 220, 221, 231, 274, 275, 278, 279, 294, 310; opposition to, 
59, 268; establishment of the Swedish trading company in America, 71; 
sails for Virginia, 75, 394, 403 ; people and goods sent in his ship de 
Calmer Sleutel, 75, 78, 391, 393, 394, 395, 403, 440, 817; citation of letters 
to, 76; confirms statements of van Rensselaer regarding purchases 
of land from the Indians, 167; certifies to purchase of land, 168, 181, 183; 
gives van Rensselaer map of land between Beeren Island and Smacks 
Island, 197; says there are whales in the South River, 197; farm of granted 
to van Twiller, 213; amount of tobacco raised by, 219; autograph, facing 
224; order for van Vorst concerning animals, 254, 304; van Rensselaer 
prejudiced against, 269; money paid to, by van Rensselaer, 273; letters of 
van Rensselaer to, 389-91, 395; mentioned, 57, 160, 233, 268, 304, 550, 617 

Moenemin's (Momnenis, Monnemins) Castle, 34, 166, 167, 207, 307, 756 

Mohawk River, 33, 34 

Molenaer, Barent de, 822. See also Koijemans, Barent Pietersz 

Molenkil, see Mill Creek 

Mom, Jan, 798 

Momma, Guilliame, 404 

Momma, Maria, 655, 844 

Monument to father and brothers of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 42-43 

Moor, Johan de, 50, 176 

Morris (Moris), Rutger, 219, 233 

Muller (Miller), Matthijs, 450, 465 

Munnickendam, location, 811. See also Cornelisz, Pieter 

Minister, Joan, 744 

Munster, see Reur, Hendrick Jansz 

Musch, Cornelia, 525 

Musch, Cornelis Johannes, secretary, asked to present petition to States Gen- 
eral, 81, 466; memorandum of matters for cousin de Casembroot to bring 
to the attention of, 466-67 ; brother in law Casembroot, 525 ; signs docu- 
ments, 725, 726, 728, 729, 730 

Mussart, see Muyssart 

Mutz, see Musch 

Muyshondt, Jan Claessen, 800 

Muyssart (Moussart, Muijssart, Muyssaert), Toussaint, share in colony, 55, 
175; letter to alluded to 83; letters of van Rensselaer to, 427, 449-50, 467- 
68, 468, 471-72, 520-24, 527, 534, 535-36, 543-44, 545-47, 552-54, 670-71, 
671-72, 672-73; memorial of, 725; mentioned, 516, 528 

Myne, see La Myne 



886 NEW STORK STATE LIBRARY 

Naerden, location, 816. See also Ruyter, Claes Jansz 

Names of persons, form used, 27 

Nannincks (Mannix, Nanninx), Geertje, 829; biographical notice, 556, 838 

Narragansett Ha}', 170, 216, 245 

Mavesink Highlands, 382, 602 

Nederhorst, lord of, 527 

Negagonse, 35, [67, 168, 307, 310 

Neger, Jan de, biographical notice, 835-36 

Nelson, Peter, acknowledgments to, 36 

Nes, Cornclis I lendricksz van, servants, 695; animals on farm of, 733, 739; 
farm, 741; lease of land to, 746, 762-63; mentioned, 555, 688, 760, 763, 782, 
810, 819, 830, 837; biographical notice, 824-25 

Nes, the, at Amsterdam, 43 

Nevius, Joannes, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789; autograph, facing 789 

New Amsterdam, petition of sellout, burgomaster and schepens of, 7S4-85 ; 
letter of burgomasters and schepens to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and 
Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, 789; 

convention at: letter from delegates to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and 
Johannes Pietersz van Brugh, 785 86; Utter from delegates to directors 
of West India Company, 787; list of papers sent to van Rensselaer and 
van Brugh, in name of delegates, 788 

New Ncthcrland, history, matters in papers relating to, 31 ; plan to colonize 
by farmers, 47; had relations among local authorities, 59, 169; natural ad 
vantages, 23S; ordinance of director and council, prohibiting sale of lire- 
arms to Indians and requiring vessels sailing to or from Fort Orange, the 
South River or Fort I lope to obtain a permit, 426 

Niclaesz, sec Claesz 

Nicolls, Gov., consolidated courts of Albany and Rensselaerswyck, 30 

Nieckarck, sec Nykerck 

Nieuw Nederlandt (ship), 266, 273 

Nijkerk, see Nykerck 

Nijssen (Nys), Wolf, from 't Stift, 835; biographical notice, 830 31 

Nisse, G. van der, 730 

Nohlen, Evert, biographical notice, 838 

Noordstrandt, see Jansz, Jacob 

Noormannen, [86, 213. See also Andriesz, Albert ; Andriesz, Arenl ; Car- 
stensz, Carsten; Christens/., Andries; Jansz, Paulus; Laurensz, I. aureus; 
Thorn's/, Barenl 

Nooten Island, see Noten Island 

N'oppen, ( ferret, 801 

Norden (Nordingen), location, 288, 808, 8io, See also Carstensz, Hendrik; 

Claesz, l'ieter 

Normans Kill, 35, 107, [86, [98, 100, 217, 232, -'do, 746, 810, 831 

North River, colonies on, 50, 570, 572. See also Pavonia; Rensselaerswyck 

Norton's Point, 374 

Notelman (Nootelman, Noottelman, Nottelman), Coenraet, supports van 
Rensselaer in his management of the colony, 62; relations with Planck, 72; 
promises to deliver farm implements and animals to van Rensselaer, 206; 
letters from van Rensselaer io, 213 15, 288-90, 317 10; van Rensselaer 
leaves terms of contract with Bijlvelt to, 231; dealings with Wolfert Ger 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 887 

ritsz, 2,32; agreement with van Rensselaer, 276, 322; farm of, directions 
concerning, 276, 293 ; animals belonging to 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 297 ; van 
Rensselaer disapproves of, 322, 330; payment to for animals, 33s ', men- 
tioned, 219, 221, 268, 287. 

Noten (Nut) Island, 375, 836 

Notenhoeck (Nutten Hook), 378 

Nykerck, van Rensselaer monument at, 42; location, 806; mentioned, 402, 
439. See also Curler, Arent van ; Elbertsz, Elbert ; Hendricksz, Gerrit ; 

Jansz, Claes ; Jansz, Seger ; Peelen, Brant; Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsz van 

Nys, see Nijssen 

O'Callaghan, E. B., information in manuscripts at variance with statements 
of, 29; his history of Rensselaerswyck valuable in spite of errors, 36; de 
Roever differs from 70, 71, 79, 80, 81 

Oldenborch, see Jansz, Gerrit 

Olycan, Pieter, 539 

Oosterum, Gerrit Willemsz, 167 

Opdyck, Gijsbert, see Dijck, Gijsbert op den 

Ordinances, 626-28; of director and council of New Netherland prohibiting 
sale of firearms to Indians and requiring vessels sailing to or from Fort 
Orange, the South River or Fort Hope to obtain a permit, 426; of the 
patroon concerning sale and export of furs, grain, etc., 450; of the colony 
of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting storing of grain and tobacco without in- 
spection, 515 ; prohibiting sale of powder, lead and firearms to Indians, 
565-66; regulating trade, 573-74; concerning fur trade, 722-23 

Otterspoor, Aert, biographical notice, 840 

Ouwerkerck (Oudekerk), location, 834 

Oyens, Abraham, 59, 270 

Pafraet, (Pasraat), Maria, mother of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 2,6, 43 
Pafraets Dael, 36, 43 

Papscanee (Paepsickene, Paep Sickiels, Paepsichene, Paep Zickenes) Island, 
29, 108, 207, 307, 326, 408, 412, 415, 741, 767-68, 807, 809, 815, 826, 828, 833, 

834 

Papscanee (Paeps Sickenees) Kill, 167, 199 

Pasraat, see Pafraet 

Patroons, names of and colonies registered by, 50, 154-58; conditions govern- 
ing grants to, 50-52; rights of, 51; trouble in enlisting required number of 
colonists, 53; agreement between, 54, 171-75; relations to directors of the 
Amsterdam Chamber, 58; restrictions on, 61; disputes with directors of 
West India Company over Freedoms and Exemptions, 68; committee of 
States General to investigate matter concerning, 68; settlement reached 
without action of committee, 69; of Staten Island, 81; direction of each 
colony reserved to, 164; first combination of colonies in New Netherland 
and shares each partner is to have in them, 164-65 ; opposition to coloniza- 
tion plans by certain members of West India Company, 236-39; accused 
of taking possession of best places, 239; accused of damaging the land, 240; 
statement by van Rensselaer of results accomplished by, 240-42; more 
profitable for Company to turn over trade to, 244-48; opposition to by 
Company results in mutual loss, 248. See also Freedoms and Exemptions; 
Fur trade; Patroonship 



888 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Patroons Creek, 36, 193, 746, 749, 809 

Patroonship, spirit of the middle ages embodied in, 52 ; differences between 
van Rensselaer and partners in regard to understanding of, 83-85, 468-71, 
516-18, 520-24, 528-35, 539-43, 544, 546; bill of Michiel Pauw for share in 
expenses, 305; van Rensselaer's jurisdiction as patroon, 474-75 ; disputes 
with heirs of van Rensselaer concerning, 724-30. See also Patroons 

Pauw (Paauw), Michiel, from Achttienhoven, registration of a colony on 
the River of Sickenames, 50, 154-55; registration of a colony on the Island 
of Fernando do Noronho, 50, 155 ; registration of the colony of Pavonia 
on both sides of the North River, 50, 158; does not enter into agreement 
for his colony, 55; colony of sold, 31, 69, 314, 316; agreements with van 
Rensselaer concerning animals, 57, 69, 162, 254-55, 257-58, 268, 274, 296; 
out of patience with van Twiller, 268; desirability of conciliating, 274, 279; 
nondelivery of animals to, 275; grass and grain scythes delivered to, 282; 
proposes to send ship with cattle to New Netherland, 283 ; disputes with 
Company over unpacking his goods, 285 ; order to van Rensselaer for 
payment of bill, 299 ; autograph, facing 299 ; arbitrates difference between 
van Rensselaer and Geertruyt Bylvelt, 301 ; bill to van Rensselaer for his 
share in expenses of patroonships, 305; mentioned, 157, 226, 265, 281, 283, 
286, 300, 307, 312 

Pauw (Paauw), Reynier, 299; autograph, facing 299 

Pauwelsen, Juriaen, from Sleswyck, 609; biographical notice, 82S 

Pavonia, 50, 55, 62, 66, 304, 475; registration by Michiel Pauw, 158; bought 
by the Company in 1634, 31, 69, 314, 316 

Feelen (Peele, Pelen, Pielen), Brant, from Nykerck, emigration, 56, 161, 308; 
farmer at Welys Burg, 61, 210, 214, 222; appointed schepen, 63, 202-3; 
wages, 161 ; black hat with silver band presented to, 205 ; authorized to 
read from Bible every Sunday, 208; farm in good condition, 280; condi- 
tions of lease of farm, 211, 492; accounts, 427, 467, 480; advice to, 439; 
daughters, 468, 472, 822; exempted from conditions for farmers, 490; to 
advise van Curler, 490; van Curler may take his farm, 493; expiration 
of lease, 498, 512; goods furnished by on credit, 511; dissatisfaction with, 
512; purchase of animals, 513; furs sent by, 520, 550, 559; agrees to price 
of wheat, 665; bound to render account for goods, 709; mentioned, 439, 
440, 489, 513, 635, 666, 806, 808, 813, 814, 817, 823, 833, 837; biographical 
notice, 806 

Peelen, Jan, sent to van Twiller to get contract, 229 

Pekstok, Bertha, 38 

Pckstok, Wilhelmus, 38 

Pels, Evert, from Statijn, sails in den Houttuyn, 609; to settle near Bevers 
Kill, 611; malt for, 613; contract with van Rensselaer alluded to, 638; 
public brewer, 653 ; license to brew liquor, 679 ; animals on farm of, 732- 
33. 739! farm, 740; lease of land to, 750-61; mentioned, 811, 815, 816, 820, 
821, 825, 827, 829, 830, 832, 835, 839, 842; biographical notice, 828 

Peobles Island, 167, 756 

Pernambuco, 286 

Perre (Per), Abraham van de, 50, 176 

Petanock, 35, 167, 168, 307, 310 

Pietcrs, J. F., attempt to dispose of manuscripts, 20 

Pieters, Marritje, 806 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 889 

Pieters, Stijntje, 841 

Pietersz, Abraham, 837 

Pietersz, Adriaen, from Alckmacr, biographical, notice 843 

Pietersz, Arent, biographical notice, 814 

Pietersz, Barent, sec Koijemans, Barent Pietersz 

Pietersz, Carsten, biographical notice, 836 

Pietersz, Cors, skipper, 715 

Pietersz, Cort, 418 

Pietersz, David, see Vries, David Pietersz de 

Pietersz (Pieterz), Feijnte, 783 

Pietersz, Jacob, from Utrecht, biographical notice, 814 

Pietersz (Pietersen), Jan, 801 

Pietersz, Johannes, see Brugh, Johannes Pietersz van 

Pietersz, Lucas, see Koijemans, Lucas Pietersz 

Pietersz, Pieter, sec Bijlvelt, Pieter Pietersz 

Pietersz, Roelof, favors van Twiller, 268 

Pietersz, Tijs, biographical notice, 840 

Pictersz (Pieters), Wybrant, accounts, 480 

Planck, Abraham Jacobsz, sails for New Netherland on de Eendracht, 67, 
263, 311, 809 

Planck (Plane), Jacob Albertsz, from Edam, schout, 29, 63; both schout and 
commis, 30 ; van Curler assistant to, 29 ; incapacity, 30, 76, 407, 430, 460 ; 
sails on de Eendracht, 67, 263 ; letter of van Rensselaer to mentioned, 70, 
71, 74, 80, 81, 335, 394, 419, 495, 496; instructions for, 72, 292-96, 332, 353, 
401, 491, 701-2; to provide for support of minister, 82, 328, 414; contract 
with van Rensselaer, 250-54, 281, 440, 676; rapier with baldric and hat with 
plume for, 251, duties, 251; compensation, 251; house for, 252, 294; 
servant of, 261; ordered to punish Hunthum, 270; oath to be administered 
to, 281, 292; gift of books to, 281, 294, 419; van Rensselaer's opinion of, 
281; van Twiller to give instructions to regarding purchase of land, 283; 
not to be otherwise entitled than as officer, 283 ; recommended to read cer- 
tain books, 283 ; to discuss starting farm near Fort Orange with Hunthum, 
287; letter sent by, 287; to negotiate with Notelman concerning animals, 
289; list of papers given to, 296, 331-32; letters of van Rensselaer to, 300-1, 
313—15, 323-30, 353-54, 391-92, 396, 411-18, 467; lands of Paapsickenekas 
bought by, 307; sent to colony in 1634, 311; invoice and bill of lading of 
goods sent to, 332, 399-400; letter from, 333-34; furs belonging to, 334; 
goods delivered to, 376 ; not expert in bookkeeping, 395 ; dispute with 
Andriesz, 409; advice to, 411, 440; accounts with van Rensselaer, 443, 467, 
480; extravagance in office, 653; mentioned, 69, 78, 265, 266, 278, 280, 282, 
285, 315, 321, 390, 393, 396, 398, 408, 442, 458, 507, 5io, 549. 568, 816, 817; 
biographical notice, 809 

Plantations, leases and agreements relating to, 746-80 

Poeij, see Pooy 

Poentie, Tennis Dircksen, 819. See also Vechtcn, Tennis Dircksz van 

Poentie (Poctien, Poyntgen), Tunis Cornelisen Jonge, 815. See also Vech- 
ten, Teunis Cornelisz van 

Pocst, 831. Sec also Wemp, Jan Barentsz 

Poesten Kill, 167, 755, 756, 831, 835 



89O NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Polleepels (Polopel's) Island, 378 

Pont, Ian du (Pon, van der), 338, 344 

Pooy (Poeij), Jan, biographical notice, 830 

Pos, Symon Dircksz, 59, 168, 272 ; letter to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 169-70 

Poulisz, see Pauwelsen 

Pouwelsen, see Pauwelsen 

Powder, ordinance of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting sale to Indians, 565-66 

Prague, matters at court in, 44 

Preemption, right of, 431, 477, 478, 493, 495, 632, 633, 663, 684, 689, 698 

Presideerende, 828 

Prinses, de (ship), 830 

Private traders, ordinance prohibiting them from coming with their vessels 
within the limits of the colony, 626-27 '> warning concerning and new 
regulations in connection with Rensselaers Steyn, 682-85 ; who contrary 
to the patroon's orders sail into the colony, notice to be served on, 

697-99, 70S 
Provisions, directions concerning buying and selling of, 160, 21 r, 281, 293; 

Company refuses to furnish van Rensselaer's people with, 243; prices, 252 
Provost (Provoost), Claude, registration of colony, 50, 176; letter to alluded. 

to, 274 
Pruyn, John V. L., mentioned, 20 
Putnam, Ruth, investigations, 20 
Pynchon, William, 526 

Quaro, 50, 176 

Quirijnen, sec Crijnen 

Raadt, Mr de. 482 

Raap, A., acknowledgments to, 37 

Raap (Raep), Pieter Adriaansz, 744, 745; autograph, facing 744 

Radt, Cornelis, 801 

Raets persoon, 825, 828, 840 

Raets vriendt, 812 

Pas, Wyellem, 420 

Rasiere (Raziere), Isaac de, 64, 270 

Raye, Jehan, 270, 312; letter of van Rensselaer to, 313 

Reacl, Reynier, takes van Twiller's part, 60, 267; term expires, 04 ; resumes 
seat in West India Company, 66, 270; mentioned, 273 

Red Hook, see Roode Hoeck 

Reddcnhasen, Abel, 556, 838 

Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony of Rensselaerswyck, 686 97 

Reede, Gerard van, 527 

Reede, Godard van, 527 

Reede, Johan van, 526 

Regents, agreement with van Rensselaer Bowier family, 21 

Reinst, Margriete, 725 

Remunde (Renumd, Remunden, Remundt, Romonde, Romund), Johan van, 
opposition to Minuit, 59, 169; won suit before directors, 60; hostility to 
van Twiller, 64, 269; intrigues, 70, 71; offer of sale of .animals to, 227; 
leaves Amsterdam, 230; BijlveU offers farm to, 231; remark of his wife, 
269; arrested at Rotterdam, 269; mentioned, 183, 268, 273, 289 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 89I 

Renselersberg, Holland, 42 

Rensselaer, Anna Elizabeth van, 38 

Rensselaer, Anna Maria van, 38 

Rensselaer, Anthonie van (son of Anthonie), 38 

Rensselaer, Anthonie van (son of Richard), 38, 39 

Rensselaer, Anthonie van (son of William), 38 

Rensselaer, Bertha van, 38 

Rensselaer, Catherine van, 38 

Rensselaer, Cornelis van (son of Anthonie), 38 

Rensselaer, Cornelius van (son of Richard), 38 

Rensselaer, Eleanor Herberdine van, 38 

Rensselaer, Francois van, 38 

Rensselaer, Hendrick van, father of Kiliaen, monument erected to, 42; 
marriage, 43 

Rensselaer, Hendrick Willem van, 38 

Rensselaer, Hendrik van, son of Kiliaen, 46 

Rensselaer, Jan van, 38 

Rensselaer, Jan Baptist van, opinion on location of Petanock and Negagonse, 
167; inventory of animals in the colony sent over by, 732-40; bill of lading 
for three parcels of furs shipped from New Amsterdam by, 743-44; 
message from Jeremias van Rensselaer to, 746; leases of lands etc. from, 
746-80; left the colony in 1658, 746, 756; letter from delegates to the 
convention at New Amsterdam, 785-86 ; entrusted with the delivery of the 
remonstrance of Nov. 2, 1663, 787; list of papers sent to in the name of 
the delegates to the convention at New Amsterdam, 788; letter of burgo- 
masters and schepens of New Amsterdam to, 789; insurance policy on 
ship het Gekruijste Hart issued to, 790-92; share in ship de Witte Kloodt, 
795; house, 826; agreement with Hartgers regarding purchase of duffels, 
834 ; land conveyed to Johanna de Hulter by, 845 ; mentioned, 182, 273, 
812, 838, 844, 846 ; biographical notice, 843 

Rensselaer, Jan Jacob van, 38 

Rensselaer. Jan Jacob van, (2d), 38, 39 

Rensselaer, Jan Jeremias van, poet, 49 

Rensselaer, Jeremias van, (son of Kiliaen), 38, 234; father in law, 433; 
message to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, 746; house, 830, 831; mentioned, 
812, 814, 828, 840, 846; biographical notice, 846 

Rensselaer, Jeremias van, (son of Richard), 38 

Rensselaer, Jeremias van, (grandson of Jeremias), 38, 39 

Rensselaer, Johan van, (uncle of Kiliaen), monument erected to, 42 

Rensselaer. Johan van, (son of Richard), 38 

Rensselaer, Johan Baptist van, 38 

Rensselaer, Johanna Jacoba Sara van, 19, ^7, 38, 39 

Rensselaer, Johannes van, (son of Kiliaen), 38, 46; guardians of, 164, 729, 
730; resolution of the States General in the matter of, 725-26, 729; petition 
for appraisal of houses and lots in Amsterdam, 744-45; autogroph, facii>^ 
744; mentioned, 273, 655 

Rensselaer, Kiliaen van, de Roever's articles on, 19-20, 26, ^7, 40-85; bio- 
graphical interest of writings of. 31 ; death, 31; share in framing Freedoms 
and Exemptions. 32, 47 48, 237-38; did not visit his colony in person, 
32,^40; no portrait in existence, 32; great-grandmother, 42; father and 



892 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

uncle, 42; birth, 43; educated as a merchant, 45; marriage, 45; home in 
Amsterdam, 46; death of first wife, 46; first chief participant to be 
received into Amsterdam Chamber, 47, 48; views on fur trade and coloni- 
zation in memorial to West India Company, 47, 235-50; cultivation of 
heath lands in the Gooi, 49; estate Crailo, 49, 284; second marriage, 49; 
notice of intention to send two men to inspect the country, 50, 154; 
registration of colony above and below Fort Orange, 50, 157-58; registra- 
tion of colony on Sable Island, 50, 175; advantage over other patroons, 53; 
relations with commander of Fort Orange, 54, 212, 415; share in colonies, 
55, 164-65, 175, 201 ; agreement with other patroons, 55, 171-75 ; his colony 
the only one which continued, 55, 175; merchant shrewdness, 56; wishes 
to avoid dispute with the Company, 58, 216; resigns as director of the 
Company, 59, 80; protest to Company on account of detention of animals 
of de Reux and Bijlvelt, 61, 290-92; account of the jurisdictions, manage- 
ment and condition of -the colony, 65, 306-12; proposed lawsuits against 
Company, 65, 67, 239, 242-43; mentions sum for which he would resign 
his rights, 65, 311, 312; withdraws propositions regarding sale of colony, 
66, 314, 316; endeavors to make his settlement a farming colony, 70, 314; 
on divisions prevailing in Amsterdam Chamber, 71, 236-38, 267-70; intro- 
duces grape, 76, 329, 551, 614; protests against new Freedoms and Exemp- 
tions, 80, 424-25, 463-65, 466, 500; plan of colonization by admission of 
patroons, 80, 428-29; care of spiritual welfare of colonists, 82, 208, 251, 
404, 415, 418, 419, 547, 569, 605, 606-8, 618-19, 621, 622, 645, 647; close 
supervision of affairs of colony, 160-63, l 97~99> 205-8, 212-14, 218-23, 
230-34, 251-53, 275-82, 285, 294; autograph, 163, facing 226, 263; opinion 
as to principal source of profit, 199-200; attack on Vogelaer, 267; protest 
against hauling down of flag of colony, 474-75 ; accounts with the Com- 
pany and Kieft, 479-85, 518-19, 548, 563-64, 567-69, 622-23, 625, 657; 
admits his mother in law to share in colony, 671 ; appraisal of houses and 
lots belonging to estate of, 744-45 ; 

admonition and rebuke: to Albert Andriesz, 409, 411, 446, 500-1, 506-7; 
to Maurits Jansz van Broeckhuysen, 503-4 ; to Jan Cornelisz, 504-5 ; to 
van Curler, 410, 438-39, 454, 508, 513, 557"5S, 650-51, 653, 658-60, 664; 
to van der Donck, 631-32, 636, 637, 642-44, 649; to de Hooges, 620, 669; 
to Planck, 411, 440; to Cornclis Teunisz, 495-96, 563; to van Twiller, 272. 
See also Animals ; Church ; Colonists ; Commissions ; Contracts and agree- 
ments; Fur trade; Instructions ; Patroons; Patroonship; Renssclaerswyck ; 
Rensselaerswyck (ship) 

Rensselaer, Kiliaen van, son of, letter to Bastiaensz, 672 

Rensselaer, Kiliaen van, (son of Johannes), letter of Brant Schuyler to, 
803-4 

Rensselaer, Kiliaen van, (son of Richard), 38 

Rensselaer, Magdalena van, 38 

Rensselaer, Maria van, (sister of Kiliaen), 36, 43, 53 

Rensselaer, Maria van, (daughter of Kiliaen), 46, 655 

Rensselaer, Nclle Maria van, 38 

Rensselaer, Nicolaus van, birth, 319 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of Kiliaen), 38 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of Richard), 38 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of Anthonic), 38 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 893 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of William), 38 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of Jeremias), 38 

Rensselaer, Richard van, (son of Richard, grandson of Jeremias), 38 

Rensselaer, Sara van, see Rensselaer, Johanna Jacoba Sara van 

Rensselaer, William van, 38 

Rensselaer, William Bayard Van, acknowledgments to, 36 

Rensselaer Bowier, Madame van, 37, 39, 41 ; visit to this country, 20 

Rensselaer Bowier, Jonkheer Cormar van, 39 

Rensselaer Bowier, Jonkheer Hugo Jan Jacob van, 19, 39 

Rensselaer Bowier, Jonkheer Johannes Jacobus Christian Gysbertus van, 39 

Rensselaer Bowier, Jonkvrouw Maria Clemente van, 39 

Rensselaer Bowier, Vice Admiral Jonkheer Marten Willhelmus van, 19, $y ; 
granted his mother's name in conjunction with paternal cognomen, 38, 41 ; 
children, 39 ; family archives come into his possession, 41 ; plans for pub- 
lication of manuscripts, 41 ; death, 41 

Rensselaer Bowier, Jonkheer Marten Wilhelmus Marius Magdalus van, 19, 39 

Rensselaer family, coat of arms, 35, 42, 43 ; genealogy of Holland branch, 
37-39; earliest mention of name, 42; location of estate in Holland, 42 

Rensselaer (city), 186 

Rensselaersberg (Renselersberg), Holland, 42 

Rensselaers Burg, 34, 57, 199, 201, 202, 210, 260, 307, 308, 489, 493, 80S, 
806, 807 ; grain raised on farm, 63 ; men on farm, 222 

Rensselaers Hook (Rinselaers Hoeck), 382, 602 

Rensselaers (Renselaers), Island, 198, 759. See also Beeren Island 

Rensselaers (Renselaers) Kill, 34, 199 

Rensselaers Steyn, commission to Nicolaes Coorn as commander and commis 
and to Jan Dircksz van Bremen as skipper, 680-82, 704; placard warning- 
private traders not to sail into the colony and setting forth new trade 
regulations in connection with the staple right of, 682-85 ; refuge for people 
in times of danger, 688; commander at to receive fines, 694; account of 
ammunition for, 706-7 

Rensselaerswyck, colonists transported to 1630-32, 29, 58; purchase of land 
from Indians, 29, 54, 158-61, 163, 166-69, 181-83, ^97, *99, 207, 212, 217, 
283, 306-8; list of settlers, 32, 805-46; map, explanation of, 33-36; Kiliaen 
van Rensselaer and his colony of, by N. de Roever, 40-85; registration of 
colony, 50, 157-58; location, 53; extent of territory, 53, 159, 167, 197, 
212, 526; stipulations of Company regarding number of colonists, 55; 
persons owning shares in, 55, 165, 201 ; only one of original colonies 
remaining, 55, 175; administration by local officials, 62, 72, 201-2, 215, 

250-54, 392, 394-96, 415, 430, 433-37, 459-63, 473, 54i, 549-50, 557, 563, 
566, 616-18, 638-44, 701-4; law least active factor in early development 
of, 63; sum for which van Rensselaer would resign rights of, 65, 311, 
312; not to be sold, 66, 314, 316; aim of settlement, 70, 314, 412; manage- 
ment of, an example to directors, 72; disobedience to authorities, 81; 
conditions upon which farmers came to, 82; disposition of fief of, by 
last will and testament, 83, 85, 524-25, 533, 536-39", agent of colony at 
the Manhatans, 151, 571; van Rensselaer orders lands measured, 159, 201, 
216-17, 218, 219; maps alluded to, 197, 206, 296; surveys of land not com- 
pleted, 536; named, 198; letter of Pieter Bijlvelt to the copartners of, 



894 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

234; progress hindered by opposition of Company, 242; invoice of goods 
sent to, 263-65, 332; account of the jurisdictions, management and con- 
dition of the territories, 306-12; share of heirs of Godyn sold, 321, 334; 
news from 1636, 333-34; disputes regarding jurisdiction and management, 
479. 529-35, 541-42, 553; ordinances, 515, 565-66, 573-74, 626-27, 628, 
722-^23; amounts received by van Rensselaer from shareholders, 516; great 
quantities of wine sent to, 622, 624 ; warning, prohibition and permission 
concerning, 682-85 ; redress of abuses and faults in, 686-97 ; proper remedy 
against the, abuse of outstanding accounts in, 707-14; disputes with heirs 
of van Rensselaer concerning, 724-30; leases and agreements relating to 
the farms, sawmills, plantations and other property in, 746-80; agreement 
of the council to pay tithes to the West India Company, 781-83; delegates 
from to convention at New Amsterdam, 784, 785. See also Animals ; 
Commis ; Court ; Farms ; Houses ; Patroons ; Patroonship ; Sawmills and 
grist-mills ; Schepens ; Schout 
Rensselaerswyck (ship), fitted out by van Rensselaer and de Forest, 74; 
detained at Plymouth, 75, 343, 345, 346, 365; sold, 75, 431; wrecked, 75; 
alluded to, 321; letters and goods sent by, 323; 38 persons sailing by, 326; 
resolutions concerning alluded to, 331 ; contract with de Forest alluded 
to, 332; cost, equipment, etc., 332, 335-38, 343-44; date of sailing, 343; 
log of, 355-89; arrival at Manhattan, 374, 382; arrival at Amsterdam, 389; 
Dirck Corssen has goods belonging to owners of, entered in his own 
name, 512; list of settlers sailing by, 809-16 
Rensselaerswyck (yacht), 498, 680, 704, 817 
Renswoude, see Reede, Johan van 

Representative of the patroon, commission to Cornelis Teunisz as, 435 
Residents, use of term, 559, 577; van Curler to interfere with, 561; ordinance 
of the colony of Rensselaerswyck prohibiting inhabitants from trading with 
"residents" without special consent, 627; forbidden to trade with Indians, 
666 
Resselerius, Domine, (ship), 340 

Reur, Hendrick Jansz, from Minister, 839 ; biographical notice, 843 
Reux (Reus), Gerrit Theusz de, managed a farm at the Manhattans, 61, 
231, 276; farmer at Blommaerts Burg, 61, 198, 210, 214, 222; animals and 
implements transferred to van Rensselaer, 61, 71, 193, 198, 206, 220, 221, 
276, 277, 278, 289, 294, 295, 310, 317, 322, 330; appointed schepen, 63, 202-3; 
black hat with silver band presented to, 63, 205; contract with van Rens- 
selaer, 193-95, 200, 207, 210, 211, 326, 437, 438, 440, 478, 495, 512, 633, 
675-76, 709; facsimile of mark, facing 196; greyhound for, 204; sails for 
New Netherland, 204, 310; accounts with van Rensselaer, 213, 427, 467; 
to assist in measurement of land, 217; men employed by, 218, 261, 285; 
farmer on de Laets Burg, 260; letters from alluded to, 274; delivers 
scythes to Pauw, 282; summoned home, 290, 29T, 295; protest of van 
Rensselaer to West India Company on account of detention of animals 
of, 290-92, 296, 297; dissatisfaction with, 329, 431, 439, 445, 407 : wishes 
to make new terms, 416; settlement of estate, 440, 484, 499, 545, 548, 
559, 560, 579, 580; power of attorney to Kieft from heirs of, 457; 
mated quarrels, 489; construes contract to his own advantage, 491, 
503; grain on farm of, 514; mentioned, 454, 496, 807, 808, 810, 81 r, 
812, 820; biographical notice, 808 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 895 

Reyersz, Jan, from Houten, animals on farm of, 735, 739; renewal of lease 
of land to, 771-72; mentioned, 819; biographical notice, 823 

Rien, Jan van, registration of colony by, 50, 176 

Ripperda, N., 728, 729 

Rock crystal, found in de Laets Kill, 198, 210, 307, 330; in the hill of 
Michiel Jansz, 489, 500, 663, 769 

Rode, Domine, 745 

Roelofs, Sara, 308, 806 

Roelofs, Trijntje, 308, 806 

Roelofsz, Pieter, letter of van Rensselaer to, 300 

Roever, Nicolaas de, work on manuscripts, 19-20, 26; list of settlers com- 
piled by, 32, 308; to edit manuscripts, 37; death, 37 ; Kiliaen van Rens- 
selaer and his colony of Rensselaerswyck, 40-85; manuscripts published 
by, 235-50, 266-88, 290-92, 302-4, 306-12, 31S-17, 35 I_ 53, 731-32 

Rolmers, see Barents, Annetje 

Rondout Creek, 378 

Roode (Rooe) Hoeck, 383 

Roodt, Hendrick, 801 

Rooleeuw, Abraham, 799 

Rotterdam, see Eencluys, Hans Jansz; Thomasz, Cornelis 

Roulant, Francoys, 241 

Rust, Claes Jansz, 556, 829, 838 

Rutgersz, Rijck, 820, 824; biographical notice, 819 

Ruttens, Peter, 201, 202 

Ruttens, Simon, 250, 254, 676 

Ruyter, Claes Jansz, from Naerden, agreement with van Rensselaer, 327, 
2,2,2, 510, 676-77; instructions to Pieter Cornelisz concerning, 351, 406, 
407; messages to, from van Rensselaer, 456; payment of board during 
passage of, 482; at the Manhatans, 505; van Curler not to engage, 511; 
instructions for, 702; mentioned, 412, 439, 663, 809, 816; biographical 
notice, 816 

Ruyven (Ruijuen), Cornelis van, 785, 789 °V^~ 

Rye, amount raised in 1631, 63, 199; in 1633, 308, 30Q v ^_patroon to pay 
four guilders a mudde for, 253 ; not to be mixed with wjfreat, 442 

Ryswyck, Anthonia van, 845 

Sable Island, proposed colony on, 50, 55, 175, 242 

Sack, den, lease of land opposite, 758, 812, 813 

Sackenames, see Sickenames 

Sadel (Sael), de, 382, 602 

Saegh Kill, 824 

St Christopher, island of, 233 

Si Martin, island of, proposed colony on, 50, 166, 171, 174, 175; mentioned, 

269, 273, 274 
St Merten (yacht), 377, 378, 422 
St Vincent, island of, proposed colony on, 50, 156 
Salick, see Schlick 
Salm, de (yacht), 241, 242 

Salt trade, 91, 117, 119, 123; freight charges for salt, 147 
Sanckhagog, 36, 182, 306 



896 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Sanders, Catalijn, see Donckesz, Catalijn 

Sanders family, 39 

Sandersz, Thomas, from Amsterdam, biographical notice, 841 

Sandwech (Sandtwegh), Joost van, 342, 344, 345; letters of van Rensselaer 
to, 348-50, 420-21 

Sandy Hook (Sandpunt), 374, 379, 383, 602 

Sankikans (Sankekans), 245, 248 

Santen (Xanten), 672 

Sapokanican (Sapachenikan, Sappokanican), 375 

Saulmon (Saumon), Lonis, 527; letter of van Rensselaer to, 543 

Sawmills and grist-mills, Scandinavians to erect, 57, 186-89; idea of sawmill 
on de Laets Kill abandoned, 60, 198; grist-mill only one in New Nether- 
land, 60; van Rensselaer asks for guard at the grist-mill, y^, 298; first 
sawmill on Godyns Kill, 198; profit from, 200; erection of new, 75, 78, 
309, 328, 350, 413, 442, 444; profit from new, 78, 351, 444; sawmill in 
operation, 406, 442, 444, 497 ; grist-mill in operation, 497, 505 ; management, 
638, 639 ; erection of grist-mill near Rensselaers Steyn, 681 ; sawmills on 
farm of Evert Pels, 740, 759-61 ; sawmills used by Jacob Jansz Flodder, 

741, 816; sawmills at Bethlehem, 742, 770, 816; sawmills of Albert Andriesz, 

742, 775; leases of mills on Fifth Creek, 746-48, 749~50 ; permission to 
erect new sawmill on Fifth Creek, 750-51 ; lease of sawmill on Wynant's 
Kill, 754-55; sawmills of Eldert Gerbertsz, 772; mills on Fifth Creek 
mentioned, 811, 812, 816, 812, 822, 831, 832, 846; mills at Greenbush, 811. 
816, 828 

Schaagen, Cornelis, 799 

Schadee, Anna, 525 

Schaef, Claes Hendricxsz, 77s 

Schaef, Hendrick, 229 

Schaets, Gideon, biographical notice, 844 

Schaick, Gcossen Gerritsz van, see Gerritsz, Goossen 

Schelden, Daniel van der, 305 

Schellinger, Jan Tiepkesz skipper of the Rensselaerswyck, 74, 343; skipper 

of 't Eeckhorntgen, 285; letter to van Rensselaer, 345; autograph, facing 

345; letter to his wife, 346-47; log of the Rensselaerswyck, 355-89 ; 

perhaps from Medenblick, 355; share in goods of van Rensselaer, 512 
Schendel, Gillis van, payment for map, S3 
Schenectady, 817 
Schepens, appointment of, 62-63, 202-3, 2I 5'> to De appointed by Planck, 

63, 72, 281, 294; oath of, 63, 203; black hats with silver bands presented 

to, 205; instructions for, 208, 415; appointment of Pieter Cornelisz with 

order to appoint Others, 327. See also Adriaensz, Marinus ; Jansz, Roelof ; 

Laurensz, Laurens; Peelen, Brant; Reux, Gerrit Theusz de; Council of 

Rensselaerswyck; Court of Rensselaerswyck 
Schepens of New Amsterdam, petition to director and council of New 

Netherland, 784-85; letter to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer and Johannes 

Pietersz van Brugh, 789 
Schermerhoorn, Jacob Jansz van, biographical notice, 841 
Scheuler, Philip Pietersz, 842. See also Schuyler, Philip Pietersz 
Schipper, Teunis, seed inspected by, 193 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 897 

Schlick, Cornelis Anthonisz van (Broer Cornells, Cornells Teunisz), from 
Breuckelen, commissioner, 30, 435, 459; sails for New Netherland on de 
Eendracht, 67, 263, 311; different forms of name, 255-56, 8r?; contract 
with van Rensselaer, 255-57, 296; not to engage in fur trade, 256; to 
assist Conduit, 261; tool chest for, 265; engaged by van Rensselaer, 280; 
to be confirmed in the possession of his farm, 326; accounts with van 
Rensselaer, 418, 442, 453, 467, 474, 480, 667, 692; to assist van Curler, 

434. 435, 488, 490, 497; commission to as representative of the patroon, 

435. 453; to assist Pieter Cornelisz, 436; advice to, 440; to examine 
contract with freemen, 441; instructions for, 445, 453, 456, 459-63, 702; 
opinion on location of church, 454; with others to fill post of officer of 
justice, 459; councilor, 461; deception in furnishing grain, 483; messages 
to from van Rensselaer, 488, 561 ; exempted from conditions for farmers, 
490; conditions of lease of farm, 492; Pieter Cornelisz may take his 
farm, 493; letters of van Rensselaer to, 495-96, 509; advice to, 495-96, 
563; house for, 496; expiration of lease, 498, 512; blanket for, 509; 
to stop notes of hand, 512; purchase of animals, 513; to call farmers 
before council, 514; authorization concerning tithes, 515; sends furs to 
van Rensselaer, 520, 550, 559; objects to survey of land, 536; van Rens- 
selaer's opinion of, 559, 647; complains of van Curler, 559; size of farm, 
617; dispute with van Rensselaer settled, 631, 660; laxity of, 632; willing- 
ness to give tithes, 632 ; can not be removed from council, 635 ; remarks 
about vander Donck, 649; agrees to price of wheat, 665; exports wheat 
without entering the same, 692; bound to render account for goods, 709; 
animals on farm of, 738, 740; farm, 743, 749, 752-53; transfer of lease 
of maize land behind land of, 749; mentioned, 414, 434, 441, 481, 488, 509, 
510, 511, 563, 565, 569, 571, 662, 751, 756, 807, 808, 810, 812, 813, 814, 
821, 823, 831, 840; biographical notice, 255-56, 809 

Schodac, purchase of lands at, 826; patent for land, 834 

Schoenmaker, Jacob, 832. See also Dorlandt, Jacob Lambertsz vain 

Schoester, Cornelis Theunissen, 814. See also Teunisz, Cornelis, from 
Westbroeck 

School, building for, 663, 817 

Schoolmaster, patroons and colonists to provide for support of, 51, 151 ; 
Evert Nolden establishes himself as, 838; Adriaen Jansz appointed as, 843 

Schoonderwoert (Schoennerwoorde, Schoonrewoerd), location, 812. See 
also Cornelisz, Cornelis; Gerritsz, Claes ; Jacobsz, Rutger; Jacobsz, Teunis 

Schoorl, 828 

Schout, doubtful whether first appointee ever qualified, 29, 63; post tem- 
porarily filled by three commissioners, 30, 434-36, 459-60. See also Coorn, 
Nicolaes ; Donck, Adriaen van der ; Hendricksz, Rutger ; Planck, Jacob 
Albertsz ; Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsz van ; Swart, Gerard 

Schout of New Amsterdam, petition to director and council of New 
Netherland, 784-85 

Schrabbekercke, sec Scrabbekercke 

Schulenburgh (Schuylenburgh), Frederick, 66, 270, 556; autograph, facing 556 

Schut (Schuth), Jan Willemsz, 816; biographical notice, 836 

Schut, Willem Jansz, 836 

Schuylenburgh, see Schulenburgh 

v 57 



898 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Schuyler, Brant, letter to Kiliaen van Rensselaer (son of Johannes), 803-4 

Schuyler, Philip Pietersz, 844; biographical notice, 841 

Schuyler Flatts, 8co. 

Scrabbekercke ('s Heer Abtskerke), location, 499, 818. See also Jansz, 
Michiel 

Scultctns, Abraham, 208 

Seawan used in trading, 418, 441, 652, 667, 723, 747, 793 

Secretary of Rensselaerswyck, see Curler, Arent van; Hamel, Dirck van; 
Hooges, Antony de 

Segersz, Claes, 734. See also Voorhout, Claes Cornelis van 

Segersz, Cornelis, see Voorhout, Cornelis Segersz van 

Segersz, Jonge Cornelis, see Voorhout, Cornelis Cornelisz van 

Semesseeck (Semelzeeck, Semezeeck), 35, 167, 307, 309 

Settlers of Rensselaerswyck, 32, 308 ; list, 805-46 

Sevenhuysen (Seuehuijsen), Hans van, 345, 351, 365, 815; biographical 
notice, 814 

Sevenster (Seuen Starra, Seuen starre, Sevensterre), de, (ship), 313, 315, 
320, 323, 333, 342 

Sexton, house for, 454, 459 

Shad Island, 182 

Sickenames (Ciccanames) River, 150, 154, 171, 248 

Sijmensz, Sijmen, from Hoorn, 191 

Silkworms, 207 

Sille, Mr, 793 

Simmensen, Frans, 420 

Simonsz, Jan, 670, 717, 718, 721 

Slachboom (Slaghboom), Anthonia, 817 

Sleswyck (Schleswig), see Pauwelsen, Juriaen 

Slichtenhorst, Brant Aertsz van, from Nykerck, first director of the colony, 
30 ; recommended to van Rensselaer, 281 ; arrival at New Amsterdam, 
825; son of, 842; mentioned, 731, 732, 740, 762, 813, 817, 819, 821, 822, 
823, 824, 830, 832, 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 843, 844; biographical 
notice, 838 

Slichtenhorst, Margareta van, 841 

Slijter (Slijtter), Captain, 740, 838; biographical notice, 844 

Sloeps-baye (Narragansett Bay), 170, 216, 245 

Slomp, Gerrit, 718, 721 

Slyck, see Schlick 

Smacks (Smackx, Smax) Tsland, 33, 36, 166, 167, 168, 181, 182, 306, 378 

Smit (Schmidt, Smith, Smits), Lucas, from Jehansberg, 615, 648; bio- 
graphical notice, 615, 826 

Smith, Claes Jansz, 830 

Smith's Island, 75, 373, 381, 382 

Smits Vly, 602 

Socst, location, 805. Sec also Hendricksz, Pieter ; Hendricksz, Rutger 

Solder Pietersz, 814. See also Pietersz, Arent 

Solderbeeck, Salomon van, 401 

Solms, Count van, 81 

Sommerius, Domine, 649 

Soogemackelyck, Pieter, 846. See also Adriaensz, Pieter 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 899 

Soutbergh (Soutberch), de (ship), 266, 269, 285, 288; colonists sailing by, 
204, 807-8 

South Bay, 599; registration of colony on, 156 

South River (Delaware), registration of colonies on, SO, 55, 155, 156, 164, 171, 
174; colonies on sold, 175; whales in, 197; occupation, 241; destruction of 
colony, 241, 424; fur trade on, 244, 245, 246; reason for failure of colony, 
248 ; vessels sailing to or from to obtain a permit, 426. See also Swanendael 

Spierinck, Cornells, biographical notice, 824 

Spierinck, Jacques, 192, 265 

Spitbergen, Catrijn Jans, 846 

Spitsenberch (van Spitsbergen, van Spitzbergen), Teunis Cornelisz, lease of 
water power to, 749-50; permission to erect sawmill, 750-51; signs agree- 
ment to pay tithes, 782 ; mentioned, 822 ; biographical notice, 846 

Sporom, Anneken, 654 

Spronssen, J., 730 

Staas (Staes, Staets), Abraham, from Amsterdam, engaged as surgeon, 606;. 
sails on den Houttuyn, 609; to settle near Bevers Kill, 611; contract with 
van Rensselaer, 678; mentioned, 611, 617, 619, 652, 781, 819; biographical 
notice, 828 

Stadts Herberg, 832 

Staets, Hendrik Jacobsz, 678 

Stam, Dirck Corssen, supercargo of the Rensselaerswyck, 75, 343 ; unfaithful, 
75, 446; to erect a shed at the Manhatans, 322; Planck to turn some of his 1 
duties over to, 330; letter to van Rensselaer, 345; autograph, facing 345; 
van Rensselaer dissatisfied with, 392, 394; disloyalty in encouraging private 
trading. 409, 411. 415, 416, 446; money due patroon from these transactions, 
417, 445, 512, 667, 692; demands payment for wages, 421; claims for 
merchandise delivered at Rensselaerswyck, 442 ; mentioned, 364, 366, 375, 
376, 410, 416, 418, 507 

Staten Island, colony founded on, 76; patroon at, 81 

States General, patroons decide to submit disputes relating to carrying of 
freights to, 65 ; committee to investigate disputes between patroons and 
West India Company, 68; no decision, 68-69; committee to consider new 
Freedoms and Exemptions, 79, 424; resolution and letters patent empower- 
ing van Rensselaer to dispose of his fief of Rensselaerswyck by will, 85, 
536-39; resolution on the petition of Samuel Blommaert and others, 725, 
730; resolution in the matter of Johannes van Rensselaer and others, 
725-26, 729 ; action on reply of de Laet and Blommaert, 728 ; to Jan van 
Wely and Wouter van Twiller, 729-30 

Statijn (Steltijn, Stettin), location, 828. Sec also Pels, Evert 

Steeboo (Stadsbode), 829 

Steenbergen, Harmen, 799 

Steene hoeck, de, 837 

Steengs, Willem, 629 

Steffeniersz (Steffenier, Steffeniers), Arent, 75, 332, 375, 815; biographical 
notice, 814 

Stevensz, Abraham, transfer of lease of land of, 749, biographical notice, 819 

Stevensz, Oloff, see Cortlandt, Oloff Stevensz van 

Stevensz, Steven, 717 



900 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Stift, 't (het Sticht, Utrecht), see Nijssen, Wolf 

Stipel (Stijpel), Dirck, 452, 458 

Stoffelsz, Jacob, 842 

Stoffelsz, Jan, 254 

Stoffelsz, Reyer, location of house, 455; letter of van Rensselaer to, 502; men- 
tioned, 432, 573, 634, 637, 816, 818; biographical notice, 822 

Stol, Jacob Jansz, 780 ; biographical notice, 835 

Stol (Stoll), Willem Jansz, biographical notice, 842 

Stoon, Capt., 272, 284 

Stoutenburch, see Jansz, Jacob 

Straelsundt (Stralsund), location, 806. See also Brunsteyn, Claes 

Strong, Mrs Alan Hartwell, visit of Mrs van Rensselaer Bowier and son to, 
20; approves agreement concerning use of manuscripts, 21; translations 
revised, 26; preface to translations furnished by, 37-39; translation of 
de Roever's articles on Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his colony of Rens- 
selaerswyck, 40-85 ; of Memorial presented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to 
the Assembly of the Nineteen of the West India Company, 235-50; of 
letters from Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Wouter van Twiller, 266-88, 315-17, 
35 I_ 53; of Protest of van Rensselaer to West India Company on account 
of detention of animals of de Reux and Bijlvelt, 290-92; of Examination of 
Bastiaen Jansz Krol, 302-4; of Account of the jurisdictions, management 
and condition of the territories named Rensselaerswyck, 306-12; of Sen- 
tence of Claes Andriesz, 731-32 

Stuyvesant, Pieter, established court of justice for Beverwyck, 30; petition 
to, 784-85 ; order on petition, 785 

Suijtbaaij, see South Bay 

Surgeon engaged by van Rensselaer, 606. See also Staas, Abraham 

Swaart, Elizabeth de, 38 

Swaart, Johan de, 38 

Swanendael, registration of colony, 50, 155; fall of, 48, 66, 223; sold to 
the West India Company, 55, 66, 69, 175, 314, 316; losses in, 66, 313; 
Hendrik de Forest to take place of Gilles Houset in, 75 ; Theunis Willem- 
sen from, 223; fur trade in, 246; too many participants in, 335, 470. See 
also Godyn, Samuel ; South River 

Swart (Swardt, Swartt), Gerard, 764, 782, 831; biographical notice, 844 

Swarten Raeven (ship), 645, 663 

Swartwout, Roelof, 826 

Swedes, encroachments, 527 

Swedish trading company, 71, 79 

Swits, Claes Cornelisz, see Cornelisz, Claes 

Sybrantsz, Claes, 806 

Tabago, 50, 176 

Tappcn, Juriaen Teunisz, 845. See also Teunisz, Juriaen 

Teencoorntgen (ship), see Eeckhoorntje, 't 

Ten Broeck, Matthys, 795, 796 

Ter Horst, 527 

Tennis, Jannetje, 833; biographical notice, 842 

Teunisz, Adriaen, see Bilt, Adriacn Teunisz van der 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 9OI 

Teunisz, Claes, 819, 836, 837 ; biographical notice, 830 

Teunisz, Corndis, from Breuckelen, see Schlick, Cornelis Anthonisz van 

Teunisz (Thonissen, Theunisz), Cornelis, from Meerkerck, engagement as 
farm laborer, 195-96; autograph, facing 196; sails for New Netherland, 
204, 310; farm laborer on Blommaerts Burg, 222; mentioned, 564, 830; 
biographical notice, 808 

Teunisz (Bos), Cornelis, from Westbroeck, 181, 758, 807, 814; biographical 
notice, 814 

Teunisz, Dirck, biographical notice, 824 

Teunisz, Jacob, see Toenijs, Jacob 

Teunisz. Jan. from Leyden, 572, 612, 646 ; biographical notice, 826 

Teunisz, Juriaen, 836, 839, 844; biographical notice, 845 

Teunisz, Pieter, from Brunswijck, animals on farm of, 739, 740; mentioned, 
811, 839; biographical notice, 838 

Teunisz, Sweer, from Velsen, 756, 831 

Teunisz, Tennis, from Loenen, biographical notice, 830 

Thacher, John Boyd, 26, 166 

Theunisz, see Teunisz and Thonisz 

Theusz, Gerrit, see Reux, Gerrit Theusz de 

Thijmensz, Reynier, from Edam, agreement with van Rensselaer, 677, 813; 
biographical notice, 815 

Thomas de Engelsman, 836 

Thomasz, Barent, see Thonisz, Barent 

Thomasz (Toemesz, Toomanssen), Cornelis, from Rotterdam, contract with 
alluded to, 332; killed, 345, 351, 365, 573; widow of married, 375; men- 
tioned, 814; biographical notice, 815 

Thomasz, Jan, 826, 838, 844 ; biographical notice, 834 

Thomasz (Tomasz, Tomassen), Johan, 718, 721 

Thomasz (Tomessen), Lubbert, 191 

Thomasz, Paulus, biographical notice, 839 

Thomasz, Reynier, see Thijmensz, Reynier 

Thonisz (Theunisz, Thomassen, Thonis, Thonissen, Tonisz), Barent, from 
Heijligesont, agreement with van Rensselaer, 186-89, 675; request to send 
to colony, 189; enrolled on ship de Eendracht, 190; payment to, 191; to 
work on building houses, 210; sent to colony, 309; biographical notice, 807 

Thonisz, see also Teunisz 

Thuus van Nassauw (ship het Huis van Nassau), 339 

Thyerts, Jan, see Tyaerts, Jan 

Thysen, Lysbet, 309, 806 

Tibbout, Capt., 385 

Tienhoven, Cornelis van, 64, 353, 426 

Ticpkesz, Jan, see Schellinger, Jan Tiepkesz 

Tiercxsen, Gerret, 801 

Tijmcnse, Reynier, see Thijmensz, Reynier 

Tijssen (Mathijsz), Claes, biographical notice, 830 

Tijssen, see also Thysen 

Tile kilns, 612 

Timansz, Reynier, see Thijmensz, Reynier 

Tithes, commission to Pieter Cornelisz as receiver of, 436-37 ; on all crops, 
farmers must pay, 489, 498, 569, 605, 688, 712; farmers object to paying, 



902 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

492; certain farmers exempted from paying, 492; patroon's reasons for 
demanding. 493, 504, 505 ; payment of required under new Freedoms, 500, 
517; misconstrued by colonists, 502; instructions to van Curler concerning, 
512; authorization for van Curler and others concerning, 515; receiver of 
may have his percentage, 561; collection, 617, 652, 693; Cornelisz Teunisz 
willing to give, 632; offer of to Megapolensis, 648; list of commutations, 
652; farmers have not paid, 698; amount of, paid by farmers, 741-42; 
agreement of the council of Rensselaerswyck to pay to the West India 
Company, 781-83 

Tobacco, cultivation, 78, 233; by Marinus Adriaensz, 57, 59, 176-80, 233, 282; 
by Jacob Adriaensz, 394; by Albert Andriesz, 396, 398, 402, 409, 414, 446, 
447, 500, 506, 661; Rutger Morris understands planting, 219, 233; sample 
sent to van Rensselaer, 401; van Curler to report on, 410; must be entered 
with Director Kieft, 443 ; sale of, 446, 471, 500, 505, 507, 661 ; ordinance 
concerning sale of, 450-52; duties of representative concerning, 462; pro- 
posed plantation for Arent Andriesz, 513; ordinance prohibiting storing of 
without inspection, 515; trade with Virginia, 557, 565, 570, 571; better terms 
for planters, 562 ; farm hands to assist planters, 610 ; instructions to plant- 
ers concernings tithes, 652; plantation of Jacob Havick, 742 

Toemesz, .Cornelis, see Thomasz, Cornells 

Toenijs (Teunisz), Jacob, 821, 826; biographical notice, 840 

Toenis, Hilletje, 840 

Toinel, Anthony, 846 

Tomassen (Toemesz, Tomessen, Toomanssen), see Thomasz 

Tonisz, see Thonisz 

Torre, Count da, 484 

Tortarolis, 342, 344, 349, 420 

Tortuga, island of, 50, 55, 171, 241, 248 

Trade, with Virginia proposed, 571; by private individuals, 577; ordinance 
prohibiting private traders from coming within the limits of Rensselaers- 
wyck, 626-27 ; ordinance prohibiting inhabitants from trading with " resi- 
dents ", 627 van Rensselaer's instructions to issue prohibition against 
private traders, 666; notice to be served on private traders, who sail into 
the colony, 666, 697-99, 705 ; placard warning private traders not to sail 
into colony and new regulations in connection with Rensselaers Steyn, 
682-85. See also Fur trade 

Translations of manuscripts, 26, 27 

Trip, Mendrik, 55, 165, 175, 321. 334, 335. 468 

Trip, Jacob, 55, 165, 175, 321, 334 

Trippen Burg (Tripeburch), 78, 397 

Troy, 835 

Tuenisz, see Teunisz 

Turck, Willem, 658, 663 

Tweenhuysen, 300 

Twiller, Aert Goossens van, 840 

Twiller, Elisabeth van, 38 

Twiller, Emmeke van, 840 

Twiller, Goossen van, 840 

Twiller, Hendrick van, 268, 287, 398 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 903 

Twiller, Jan van, biographical notice, 840 

Twiller, Maria van, 36, 43, 53 

Twiller, Rijckaert van, 36, 43 

Twiller, Wouter van, administration of, 31 ; memoranda from Kiliaen van 
Rensselaer to, 33, 204-8; mother of, 36; supports van Rensselaer in his 
management of colony, 53, 62; letters to alluded to, 59, 66, 73, 271; takes 
possession of farm of Pieter Minuyt, 60; director general of New Nether- 
land, 60, 213, 216, 217; to administer oath to Planck, 63, 292; attempt to 
recall, 64; buys cattle for van Rensselaer, 69, 79, 199, 275, 294; manage- 
ment of Company's affairs, 70; grievances against, 70, 77, 267, 271; down- 
fall, 71; strife with Dincklage, 77 \ extract from letters to, 77, 78, 79; 
recalled, 77; signs agreement between van Rensselaer and Adriaensz, 179; 
power of attorney to, to administer the oath of schout to Rutger Hend- 
ricksz van Soest, 201-2, 516; conditions made with Gerrit de Reux given to, 
210; farm for, 213; Notelman recommended to, 214; to settle accounts of 
Gerritsz, 218; inventory of goods and animals sold by Peter Minuit to, 
223-24; letters from Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 229-34, 266-88, 315-17, 319-23. 
35i _ S3, 393 _ 94, 39§> 400-2; animals delivered to, 255; plots against, 267; 
conditions of appointment, 271; advice to, 272; relations with Notelman, 
289; to confer with Planck, 293; instructions to Planck to be completed by, 
296, 702; message from van Rensselaer to, 396; van Rensselaer asks Lupoltt 
to take charge of affairs in absence of, 405 ; refutes charges against, 431 ; 
return to Holland, 465 ; order to Willemsz, 490, 552 ; instructions to vander 
Donck, 550 ; marriage, 655, 657 ; guardian of Johannes van Rensselaer, 726, 
730; answer to memorial of Blommaert and associates, 726; letter of States 
General to, 729-30; petition for appraisal of houses and lots in Amsterdam, 
744-45; autograph, facing 744; sails in den Soutberg, 808; mentioned, 73, 
292, 317, 390, 393, 396, 397, 406, 407, 423, 427, 428, 479, 5oi, 506, 508, 513, 
578, 623, 719, 841, 844 

Twillers Dael, 36, 203 

Tyaerts (Chierts, Thyerts), Jan, from Franicker, agreement with Marinus 
Adriaensz, 180-81; sails from New Netherland in ship de Eendracht, 190; 
mentioned, 309; biographical notice, 807 

Usselinx, Willem, 63 

Utrecht (Holland), see Aertsz, Jacob; Pietersz, Jacob 

Utrecht (Uytreght) (L. I.), 788 

Uylenspiegel, 830. See also Teunisz, Claes 

Valckenburch, Lambert van, 843; biographical notice, 845 

Valckenburgh, Marcus van, 59, 270 

Valckenier, Gillis, 744 

van, for names beginning with this prefix, see under word follozving, i. e., 

Rensselaer, Twiller, etc. 
Varkens Island, 380 

Vastrick, Gerrit, 841 ; biographical notice, 842 
Vastrick, Robbert, 842; biographical notice, 844 
Vechten, Cornelis Dircksz van, conditions of lease of farm, 492 



9°4 



NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 



Vechten, Teunis Cornelisz van, lease of land formerly occupied by, 762 * 
farm called de Hoogeberch leased to, 769; mentioned, 819, 825; biograph- 
ical notice, 815 

Vechten, Teunis Dircksz van, guardian of Cornells Maessen's children, 181 ; 
to deliver animals to van Rensselaer, 225 ; animals for, to establish farm,, 
412; passenger on het Wapen van Noorwegen, 423; must pay for animals, 
563; grain delivered to the West India Company by, 715; animals on 
farm of, 733, 739; farm, 741; lease of part of farm, 762; renewal of 
lease of farm, 764-66; settlement of accounts with Jan Baptist van 
Rensselaer, 766; gives bond for lease of property, 770; mentioned, 811,. 
814, 815, 817, 818, 819, 824, 825, 833; biographical notice, 819 

Vechten (village), location, 819 

Veder, W. R., information from, 678 

Veeltje, 814. See also Pietersz, Jacob 

Veere, location, 806. See also Adriaensz, Marinus 

Velsen, see Teunisz, Sweer 

Veluwe, 42, 53, 58, 640 

Ven, Joost van de, notary public at Amsterdam, 74, 257, 305 ; notarial 
certificate of, 165, 174, 184, 185, 190, 254, 258, 680, 705 ; autograph, facing 
189; contracts executed before, 260, 262, 436, 677, 678; notice served on 
directors of West India Company by, 290; examination of Krol conducted 
by, 302 

Verbeeck, Jan, from Breda, affidavit concerning Cornells Maessen, 181 ; sails 
by den Coninck David, 555, 556, 571, 573; arrival, 608; mentioned, 818,. 
819, 821, 840; biographical notice, 826 

Verbeeck, Marten Hendricksz, 821. See also Hendricksz, Marten 

Verdoes, Simon, see Does, Simon van der 

Verdrietige Hoeck, 379 

Verhoeven, Juffrouw, 793 

Verkens (Verses) Island, 380 

Vessels, sailing to or from Fort Orange, the South River or Fort Hope 
to obtain a permit, 426; contract necessary to lend or hire, 628; sailing 
up and down the river to be inspected, 650; from Holland, dates of 
sailing and arrival, 805-9, 816-18, 820-22, 824-25, 827, 831, 846 

Veth (Vett), Jacob, 728, 729, 730 

Vianen, see Gijsbertsz, Hendrick; Rensselaer, Richard van 

Vicq, Robert de, 792 

Vierblues, Constapel van de, 829. See also Herbertsz, Andries 

Vinct, Marya van der, 801 

Virginia, Minuit sails for, 75, 394, 403, 405; trade with, 557, 565, 570, 
57i, 689 

Visch, Nikolaes, 799 

Visser, Harmon Bastiaensz, 836 

Visser, Jan Jansz, 743, 744 

Vlackte, de, farm, 738, 743, 809, 817, 820, 823, 826, 827, 831, 834. 835, 836, 
837. See also Groote Vlackte 

Vlamingh, Pieter de, 845. See also Winne, Pieter 

Vlccker, see Flecker 

Vliet, Fabiaen de, 45 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 905 

Vogelaer, Marcus de, opposition to van Rensselaer, 59; opposition to 
Minuyt, 59 ; directors side with, concerning carrying of freight, 65 ; 
resigns as commissioner of New Netherland, 66, 301 ; quarrels with van 
Rensselaer, 267, 273; hostility to van Twiller, 268, 273, 274; remarks 
about van Twiller, 269 ; opposed to Duyster, 270, 273 ; van Rensselaer to 
attack management of, 282; does not worry about English settlers, 284;. 
van Rensselaer can not deal with Company on account of, 287 

Vogell, Jacob Dircxssen, 257 

Volpersen, Jacob, see Wolfertsz, Jacob 

Voorhout, Claes Cornelisz (Segers) van, age, 679; animals on farm of r 
734. 739'. different forms of name, 734; farm, 741; renewal of lease of 
farm to, 767-68; surety to lease, 779; mentioned, 833; biographical notice, 

833 
Voorhout, Cornelis Cornelisz van, age, 679; surety to leases, 768, 779; 
lease of farm mentioned, 775; mentioned, 748, 833; biographical notice,. 

833 

Voorhout, Cornelis Segersz (Zegersz) van, contract with van Rensselaer, 
679-80; sails for colony, 688; animals on farm of, 736, 740; farm of, 
742, 777; 'surety to lease, 768; lease of Castle Island to, 777~79> men- 
tioned, 806, 824, 837; biographical notice, 833 

Voorhout, Duyst van, 464, 467 

Voorhout, Jannetje Cornelise van, 680, 833 

Voorhout, Lysbeth Cornelise van, 680, 833, 834 

Voorhout, Neeltje Cornelise van, 680, 833 

Voorhout, Seger Cornelisz van, age, 679 ; mentioned, 830 ; biographical no- 
tice, 833 

Voorhout (place), location, 833 

Voorleeser, Antony de Hooges serves as, 825 

Vorst (Voorst), Cornelis van, fatal quarrel with Hunthum, 62; men em- 
ployed by, 223 ; transactions concerning animals, 226, 254, 274, 275, 304, 
332 ; director of Pavonia, 255 ; van Twiller's proceedings against, 268 ; 
van Twiller should keep on good terms with, 282 ; delivers scythes to 
de Reux, 282; called chief officer, 283; allowed to trade, 314; mentioned,. 
283, 324, 475 

Vos, Andries de, 561, 565, 612, 688, 695, 812, 822, 824, 827, 839; biographical 
notice, 825 

Vos (Vosje), Cornelis, 823. See also Cornelisz, Cornelis, from Schoender- 
woerdt 

Vos, Hans, from Baeden, 609, 610, 821, 832, 838; biographical notice, 829 

Vosburgh, Abraham Pietersz, 825 ; lease of water power to, 754~55 ; bio- 
graphical notice, 840 

Vosburgh, Geertruy Pietersz, 810 

Vredenburgh, Willem van, 795 

Vries, Cornelis de, widow of, 801 ; biographical notice, 844 

Vries, David Pietersz de, attempt to establish colony on Staten Island, 64; 
letter to Godyn alluded to, 197; meets Captain Stoon, 272; mentioned,. 
33, 197, 274, 285, 320, 330, 334 

Vries, Frederik de, supports van Twiller, 64; resumes seat in West India 
Company, 66, 270 ; mentioned, 268, 270 

Vroeylicx, Clara. 45 

Vroman, Pieter Meusz, 829 



go6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

Waddington, George, 20 
Wael, Jehan de, 286 

Waelingen, Jacob, from Hoorn, biographical notice, 842 
Waelingen, Symon, see Walichsz, Symon 
Waelwijck, see Jansz, Claes 
Waetter, Jehan Hendrixsz van de, 390, 391 
Wagenaer, Jacob Aertsz, 820. See also Aertsz, Jacob 
Walbeeck, Johannes van, 77, 320 

Walichsz (Walichs, Walichsen, Walingen, Walings, Wolichs), Symon, from 
Wijngaerden, farmer on Bessels Burg, 78, 397; farm laborers for, 326; 
contract with sent to Jacob Planck, 332 ; farm on Papscanee Island, 412 ; 
date of contract, 488, 491 ; conditions regarding farm of, 492 ; payment 
of tithes, 498; to be called before the council, 514; must leave his farm, 
691 ; mentioned, 496, 810, 813, 816, 820, 822, 823, 827, 828 ; biographical 
notice, 815 
Walvis, de (ship), 196, 211, 240, 241, 242, 266, 284, 288 
Wapen van Noorvvegen, het (ship), 76, 403, 405, 416, 419, 421, 440, 550, 
709; inventory of goods, 399-400; petition of officers and crew to lighten 
the ship, 419-20; colonists sailing by, 423, 818-20 
Wapen van Rensselaerswyck, het (ship), purchased, 670; ledger of accounts, 

717-22; Arent van Curler sails by, 717; colonists sailing by, 831-34 
W r ater power, leases of, see Sawmills and grist-mills 

Waterhondt, de (ship), 472, 473, 497, 505, 508, 509, 566, 577, 806; 13 persons 
sailing by, 453; invoice of goods sent to van Curler, 485, 515; iron and 
coal sent by, 502 ; arrival in Holland, 520 ; furs sent by, 562, 577 ; 
colonists sailing by, 822 
Watervliet, 218 
Weede, 282 

Weelen. Johannes van, see Wely, Johannes van 
Weer, Ellard de, 801 

Weesp, location, 833. See also Cornelisz, Gijsbert 
Weights and measures, 847-49 
Wely, Anna van, 36, 38, 49; petition for appraisal of houses and lots in 

Amsterdam, 744-45 ; autograph, facing 744 
Wely, Jan van, (partner of Kiliaen van Rensselaer), 45, 49; death, 45 
Wely (Weelen, Wei, Welij), Johannes van, (son of Jan van Wely), guard- 
ian of Johannes van Rensselaer, 726, 730; letter of States General to, 
729-30; petition for appraisal of houses and lots in Amsterdam, 744-45; 
autograph, facing 744; mentioned, 289, 621 
Wely, Pieters van, assumed name of J. F. Pieters, 20 
Wely, Theodora van, 45 

Wely (Weely), Thomas van, letter from alluded to, 287; illness, 402 
Wely, Willem van, (brother of Kiliaen's partner, Jan van Wely), 45 
Wely (Weelij), Willem van, (son of Kiliaen's partner, Jan van Wely), 319 
Welys Burg, 61, 199, 203, 210, 222, 307, 310, 489, 806, 808 
Welys ( Weelij s) Dael, 36, 203 

Wemp (Poest), Jan Barentsz, delinquency of his servant, Claes Andriesz, 
731; animals on farm of, 737, 740; farm, 742, 754, 775; lease of farm to, 
755-57; mentioned, 814, 825, 831, 834, 836, 840, 841; biographical notice, 
831 * 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 907 

Wencom, Gerrit van, biographical notice, 840 

Werckhooven, Pieter van, 795 

Wessels, Adam, see Bessels, Adam 

Wesselsz, Jochem, biographical notice, S44 

West India Company, chartered, 46; stockholders granted permanent repre- 
sentation in board of directors, 47, 131 ; opposition among directors to 
colonization, 48, 58, 236-39; resolution for organization of colonies by 
private individuals, 50; Freedoms and Exemptions granted to patroons 
and freemen, 50-52, 137-53, 237-38; colonies registered with, 50, 154-58, 
166, i75 _ /6; failure of projected colonies, 53; puts obstacles in the 
way of transportation of cattle, 56, 242; relations to patroons, 58, 239-44; 
minority opposed to colonization grows to a majority, 59, 244; summons 
home officials, 59; appoints van Twiller and Hunthum, 60; restrictions 
on patroons and colonists, 61 ; opponents to colonization seek to under- 
mine Freedoms and to recall van Twiller, 64; negotiates with patroons 
for purchase of colonies, 65-66; opponents to colonization again in 
■minority, 66; disputes with patroons over Freedoms and Exemptions, 
68-69; looks solely for profits of fur trade, 70, 314; enemies of van 
Rensselaer succeed in ousting van Twiller, 71 ; shortsightedness of di- 
rectors in management of New Netherland, 72 ; draws no profits from 
New Netherland, 72, 249 ; throws open fur trade in Pavonia, 77 ; van 
Rensselaer urges free extension of fur trade, 77; plans to appoint van 
Walbeeck in van Twiller's place, 77 ; Brazil subdued, 78 ; directors decide 
to increase capital, 78, 340, 352 ; must take measures to prevent encroach- 
ments upon New Netherland by the English and Swedes, 79, 429; does 
not favor free trade, 80 ; discusses new Freedoms and Exemptions, 80 ; 
•does not grant free trade, 81 ; consents to let van Rensselaer dispose of 
his fief by will, 85; agreement between directors and chief participants, 
126-35 1 memorial presented by van Rensselaer to the Assembly of the 
Nineteen concerning the management of New Netherland, 235-50; protest 
•of van Rensselaer on account of detention of animals of de Reux and 
Bijlvelt, 290-92; shares worth little less than those of East India* Com- 
pany, 341; rights of respected by van Rensselaer, 412; accounts with van 
Rensselaer, 479-85, 518-19, 548, 563-64, 567-69, 622-23, 657; van Rensselaer 
refuses to pay charges of, 622; Assembly of the Nineteen to consider 
question of equipment, 656; agreement of council of Rensselaerswyck to 
pay tithes to, 781-83; 

charter: 86-115; term of, 89; territory covered by, 89; salt trade to 
Punto del Rey excluded, 91 ; power to make alliances, build forts and 
appoint officers, 91 ; States General to furnish troops, 93 ; free from toll, 
93 ; exempt from import and export duties, 95 ; Chambers, 95, 97 ; directors 
and chief participants, 97, 99, 105, 107, 113; rendering of accounts, 99; 
capital stock, 99, 101, 103, 105, 109; Assembly of Nineteen, 101 ; matters 
wherein Nineteen can not agree to be left to decision of States General, 
103; period of subscription, 103; each Chamber to retain management of 
goods it sends out, 103 ; Chambers to provide one another with goods 
and sailors, 105 ; Chambers to give agents of subscribers access to books, 
105; notice to be given of fresh importations of goods, 107; goods to 
be sold by one standard of weight, 107; commanders of ships to report 



908 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY 

success of voyages to States General, 109; States General to furnish 
subsidy, 109, in; States General to assist with ships and ammunition 
in case of war, 109; prizes in case of war to remain at disposal of 
directors, 111-12; 

charter, amplifications of: 116-25; salt trade to Punto del Rey included, 
117, 119, 123; directors and chief participants, 119, 123, 125; capital stock, 
119, 121; period of subscription extended, 119. 
See also Fur trade; Patroons 

West Island, see Castle Island 

Westerbroeck (Westbroek), location, 811. See also Gerritsz, Goossen; 
Teunisz, Cornelis 

Westerkamp (Westercamp), Hendrick Jansz, 843; biographical notice, 839 

Westvaele, Juriaen van, see Bestval, Juriaen 

Whale fishery, 197, 247 

Wheat, see Grain 

Wijncoop (Wijnkoop, Wyncoop), Pieter Pietersz, 505; supercargo of het 
Wapen van Rensselaerswyck, 670, 689, 695, 698, 717, 718, 719, 721, 833 

Wijngaerden, location, 815. See also Walichsz, Symon 

Willekens, Anna, 45 

Willems, Machtelt, 607, 609, 629 

Willemsz, Adriaen, sentence of banishment pronounced on, 715-16; bio- 
graphical notice, 834 

Willemsz, Aert, order of van Twiller to, 490, 552; mentioned, 513 

Willemsz, Hendrick, letter of van Rensselaer to, 629; mentioned, 629 

Willemsz, Jan, 482, 549 

Willemsz, Theunis, 222 

Willet, Tomas, 720 

Wilson, James Grant, 26, 271 

Wiltwijck, 785. See also Esopus 

Wine, see Liquor 

Winne, Pieter, transfer of lease of farm from, 772-73; mentioned, 774,. 
845 ; biographical notice, 845 

Winthrop, Governor, 786 

Wissinck, Jacob Elbertsz, 168 

Witsen, Pieter, 800 

Witte Kloodt, de (ship), account and invoice of, 795-803 

Witteboll, Jan, 799 

Witte Valck, de, 602 

Wittewrongel, Petrus,"6o6, 645 

Wolfertsz (Wolphcrtsz), Gerrit, 817 

WolfQrtsz (Volpersen, Wolfersen, Wolpertsen, Wolphersz, Wolphertsen, van 
Couwenhoven), Jacob, from Amersfoort, horses for, 401, 403, 412; to 
send ship with cattle, 403 ; petition of officers and crew of het Wapen 
van Noorwegen to, 419; letter of van Rensselaer to, 448; to be employed' 
as onder-commis by van Curler, 460; payment for horse, 513; mentioned,. 
350, 352, 421 

Wolfertsz ( Wolphertsz), Pieter, 829 

Wolff, Abel dc, 795 

Wouters, Lubbertje, 806 



INDEX TO VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 909 

Wouw, Willem van, 269 
Wyckersloot, Sophia van, 846 
Wynant's Kill, 754, 755, 756, 835 
Wyncoop, see Wijncoop 

Yonkers, 824 

Ysbrantsen (Ysbransen), Jacob, 313, 315 

Ysbrantsen (IJsbrantse, Ysbrandtsen), Wilhelm, 799, 800, 803 

Ysselsteyn, see Cornelisz, Marten 

Zealand Chamber, colonies registered with, 50, 176 
Zee, Storm Albertsz van der, 31, 360, 810 
Zegers, Claes, see Voorhout, Claes Cornelisz van 
Zegersz, Cornelis, see Voorhout, Cornelis Segersz van 
Zevenbergen, 654 
Zutphen (ship), 339 
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